Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAppearanceIngredients Linked to PurgingSkin Is ImprovingCaring for Skin
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Appearance
Ingredients Linked to Purging
Skin Is Improving
Caring for Skin
When that happens, oil (sebum) and skin cells that are trapped in the pores are pushed to the surface and may cause small, painful bumps in the process. This article discusses the appearance, causes, and duration of skin purging.
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What Does Skin Purging Look Like?
When excess cells and sebum make their way to the surface of the skin and get trapped in pores, the pores become clogged.
They are not the same as acne breakouts, even if the result is visibly similar. They are simply a reaction to treatment, otherwise known as acne flaring.
Skin Purging on Different Skin TonesSkin purging looks like acne breakouts on all skin types and hues. The bumps may be redder on those with lighter skin tones and darker on people with darker skin tones.
Skin Purging on Different Skin Tones
Skin purging looks like acne breakouts on all skin types and hues. The bumps may be redder on those with lighter skin tones and darker on people with darker skin tones.
Skin Purging vs. Breakouts
While skin purging and acne breakouts can appear similar, there are ways to tell them apart. For example, purging after using a product produces pimples that clear up much faster than breakouts.
Also, purging will likely be confined to areas where your pores are most clogged or congested. An acne breakout can happen in any area.
Ingredients in Skin Care Products Linked to Purging
Skin purging is the result of a reaction to specific acne-fighting ingredients, such as:
These products are designed to increase the rate of skin cell turnover to help prevent breakouts from occurring, but it can take up to 28 days for them to take effect.
Other acne and skin care product ingredients may produce skin irritation in the early stages of treatment, resulting in redness or itchy skin. These includebenzoyl peroxide,salicylic acid,and alpha hydroxy acids.
Skin Purging Means Your Skin Is Improving
When the skin begins to purge and get rid of excess oil anddead skincells, it’s preparing to clear what isn’t needed out of the body. While it goes through this process, acne and breakouts improve over time.
How Long It Lasts
The amount of time a person has to deal with skin purging will vary. When starting a new acne treatment, giving it roughly four to six weeks to take effect is essential.During this time, the skin purging will typically clear up within the first two weeks.
Gentle Ingredients to Use During a Skin PurgeWhen your skin begins to purge, avoid using harsh chemicals on the area, which can make matters worse. Instead, reach for gentler products that contain ingredients such as ceramides or noncomedogenic (not tending to clog pores) formulated hyaluronic acid.These will be gentle enough to use while helping to restore the integrity of the skin barrier. You can also use cleansers that contain low salicylic acid and noncomedogenic moisturizers.
Gentle Ingredients to Use During a Skin Purge
When your skin begins to purge, avoid using harsh chemicals on the area, which can make matters worse. Instead, reach for gentler products that contain ingredients such as ceramides or noncomedogenic (not tending to clog pores) formulated hyaluronic acid.These will be gentle enough to use while helping to restore the integrity of the skin barrier. You can also use cleansers that contain low salicylic acid and noncomedogenic moisturizers.
When your skin begins to purge, avoid using harsh chemicals on the area, which can make matters worse. Instead, reach for gentler products that contain ingredients such as ceramides or noncomedogenic (not tending to clog pores) formulated hyaluronic acid.
These will be gentle enough to use while helping to restore the integrity of the skin barrier. You can also use cleansers that contain low salicylic acid and noncomedogenic moisturizers.
Why Your Acne Treatments Might Not Be Working
How to Care for Skin During a Purge
You can do several things during a purge to speed up healing. To care for your skin when trying a new acne product, you should:
It’s essential to have patience while your skin is purging. The product may work for you, even if it’s causing purging to occur. You just have to give it time. Many acne products take three to four months to heal acne completely.
Summary
Skin purging occurs when you use a new acne product. It is a reaction to the chemicals used to control acne. While it does cause more bumps and spots to develop in the area being treated, it is a sign that the medication is working.
When you are going through a skin purge, it’s important to avoid picking at any of the breakouts, use only gentle facial ingredients and cleansers, and follow all medication instructions. That way, you will be able to get through the purge without worsening symptoms while giving the medication time to clear up your acne.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Del Rosso, J.Retinoid-induced flaring in patients with acne vulgaris: does it really exist?: A discussion of data from clinical studies with a gel formulation of clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025%.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2008;1(1):41-3. Keep this as it is the best discussion of purging.Leung AK, Barankin B, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL.Dermatology: how to manage acne vulgaris.Drugs Context. 2021;10:2021-8-6. doi:10.7573/dic.2021-8-6Rodan K, Fields K, Majewski G, Falla T.Skincare bootcamp: the evolving role of skincare.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open.2016;4(12). doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001152Yang Z, Zhang Y, Lazic Mosler E, et al.Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD011154. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011154.pub2Arif T.Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:455-61. doi:10.2147/CCID.S84765Food and Drug Administration.Alpha hydroxy acids.American Academy of Dermatology Association.9 things to try when acne won’t clear.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 skin care habits that can worsen acne.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Del Rosso, J.Retinoid-induced flaring in patients with acne vulgaris: does it really exist?: A discussion of data from clinical studies with a gel formulation of clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025%.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2008;1(1):41-3. Keep this as it is the best discussion of purging.Leung AK, Barankin B, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL.Dermatology: how to manage acne vulgaris.Drugs Context. 2021;10:2021-8-6. doi:10.7573/dic.2021-8-6Rodan K, Fields K, Majewski G, Falla T.Skincare bootcamp: the evolving role of skincare.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open.2016;4(12). doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001152Yang Z, Zhang Y, Lazic Mosler E, et al.Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD011154. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011154.pub2Arif T.Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:455-61. doi:10.2147/CCID.S84765Food and Drug Administration.Alpha hydroxy acids.American Academy of Dermatology Association.9 things to try when acne won’t clear.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 skin care habits that can worsen acne.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Del Rosso, J.Retinoid-induced flaring in patients with acne vulgaris: does it really exist?: A discussion of data from clinical studies with a gel formulation of clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025%.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2008;1(1):41-3. Keep this as it is the best discussion of purging.Leung AK, Barankin B, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL.Dermatology: how to manage acne vulgaris.Drugs Context. 2021;10:2021-8-6. doi:10.7573/dic.2021-8-6Rodan K, Fields K, Majewski G, Falla T.Skincare bootcamp: the evolving role of skincare.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open.2016;4(12). doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001152Yang Z, Zhang Y, Lazic Mosler E, et al.Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD011154. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011154.pub2Arif T.Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:455-61. doi:10.2147/CCID.S84765Food and Drug Administration.Alpha hydroxy acids.American Academy of Dermatology Association.9 things to try when acne won’t clear.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 skin care habits that can worsen acne.
Del Rosso, J.Retinoid-induced flaring in patients with acne vulgaris: does it really exist?: A discussion of data from clinical studies with a gel formulation of clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025%.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2008;1(1):41-3. Keep this as it is the best discussion of purging.
Leung AK, Barankin B, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL.Dermatology: how to manage acne vulgaris.Drugs Context. 2021;10:2021-8-6. doi:10.7573/dic.2021-8-6
Rodan K, Fields K, Majewski G, Falla T.Skincare bootcamp: the evolving role of skincare.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open.2016;4(12). doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001152
Yang Z, Zhang Y, Lazic Mosler E, et al.Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD011154. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011154.pub2
Arif T.Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:455-61. doi:10.2147/CCID.S84765
Food and Drug Administration.Alpha hydroxy acids.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.9 things to try when acne won’t clear.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 skin care habits that can worsen acne.
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