Have you ever tried a new product and realize that your skin immediately starts to break out?

You wake up the next morning and all you see on your face is different forms of acne popping up.

But that’s not where the story ends.

You continue using this product and then you realize that the acne disappears. The skincare product begins to flush out whatever skincare problem it was bought to treat in the first place.

I have heard a lot of women complain about this.

Sometimes it is easy to think that the acne popping up on your face are the normal breakouts you experience.

But they are not!

Then come the questions; how do I know that the product is not causing a bad reaction on my face? If they are not breakouts, then what are they? And how can I be sure that these pimples on my face are not actual breakouts?

The questions go on and on.

If you have experienced this or you have similar questions, then you need to keep reading.

The first thing you need to understand is that whenever you begin using a new skincare product, it is possible that you experience skin purging.

Yes, you heard me right. Your skin can purge!

What is Skin Purging?

Skin purging is the initial acne breakout that occurs when you begin to use a new skincare product.

When you use a skincare product that contains certain active ingredients, it speeds up the turnover rate of your skin cells so much that everything clogging your skin pores comes to the surface of your skin.

When this happens, acne begins to form very quickly.

This is your skin purging itself of all the dirt, debris, excess oil and dead skin cells that were formerly clogging your skin pores.

The good thing about this is: once acne pops up as a result of these clogged pores, your skin pores become unclogged.

And soon, when newer skin cells come to the surface (which takes between three to six weeks), the acne clears up, the purging stops and your skin becomes smoother and clearer than it used to be.

What active ingredients can make your skin purge?

Like I mentioned earlier, skin purging occurs when you use products that have certain ingredients. These ingredients include:

• Retinoids
• Vitamin C
• Hydroxy acids (BHAs, AHAs, and PHAs)
• Exfoliating acids (salicylic acid)
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Chemical peels

These ingredients, for the most part, exfoliate your skin.

When you apply them on your skin, they dissolve the buildup of dirt, excess oil and debris within your skin pores. Then they trigger the formation of new and healthy skin cells.

These ingredients speed up the process at which existing clogged pores rise to the surface to form blemishes. What should usually take weeks to manifest begins to appear almost immediately.

Skin purge can also be caused by skincare procedures such as microdermabrasion, laser therapy etc.

How long does a skin purge last?

How long a skin purge lasts depends on how fast your skin can renew itself.

Your skin cells constantly replace themselves. Dead skin cells are shed off from the surface of your skin and new ones replace them.

The skin cell renewal process takes about a month for a cycle to be completed. So, your skin purge might last up to four weeks before it clears up.

And sometimes, more.

How can I be sure that what I am experiencing is a skin purge and not breakouts?

This is a very tricky question.

We all know that skin purge and breakouts can be very similar.  But it is possible to tell the difference between both.

1. A skin purge occurs when you start using a new skincare product containing the active ingredients I mentioned above. Breakouts happen when your skin is reacting badly to the skincare product.

2. If you have a skin purge, the acne on your face occurs on parts of your face where you normally have breakouts. For example, if you usually have acne on your forehead, you will experience the purge on your forehead.

For breakouts, you will experience new blemishes on new parts of your skin where you usually don’t have blemishes before.

A skin purge happens where you already have a clogged skin pores, but breakouts cause new clogged pores in different parts of your skin.

3. A skin purge begins to heal within two weeks, and when your skin grows new cells, it fades off.

So, at most (worst case scenario), a skin purge can last up to six weeks.

Breakouts, on the other hand, last longer. Most of the time, they only get worse as you continue to use the product.

4. A skin purge does not cause itching, pain or rashes. If this occurs, your skin is definitely reacting badly to the skincare product.

How do I deal with a skin purge?

If you are sure you are experiencing a skin purge, the first thing you need to know is that it is a good sign. It means your skin is clearing up and getting rid of blemishes.

Here are some tips that should help you through this process:

• Do not touch or pop the acne. Let it be.
• Do not expose your skin to sun rays when purging. It will only worsen the acne. Use a sunscreen always.
• Do not use harsh chemicals, soaps or scrubs on the affected areas of your skin. It is needless to say that these make things worse.
• If you just got a skincare product with the active ingredients I mentioned earlier, you can introduce it to your skin slowly. Use small amounts until your skin gets used to it. This might reduce the effect of the skin purge.

In conclusion…

Skin purging is perfectly normal.

And even good for your skin, ultimately.

It is not a skincare problem and usually disappears on its own, leaving your skin pores unclogged.

So, you have nothing to worry about.

The next time you try out a new skincare product (especially those that contain the active ingredients or their natural alternatives), do not be quick to conclude that the product is causing an adverse effect on your skin.

If there is anything you are still unsure of, don’t hesitate to leave a comment. I will be glad to answer your questions.