When we hear of a fancy product that can work wonders on the skin we are all happy and confident about buying it immediately, isn’t it? Would you get even little hints of the same product ditching your skin? Yes, that ditching happens at times and that’s what is skin purging.
When you get to see a scary outcome on your skin it is disheartening and in such situations the thought of handling your skin productively will come to you only if you are smart at understanding if it’s a purge or a breakout.
Why breakout? When a product doesn’t agree with your skin, there are chances for your skin to breakout as well, thus, the doubt remains.
Here is an article that will give you detailed information about what is skin purging, difference in skin purging and a breakout, products that cause skin purging and ways to deal with it when it happens.
What is Skin Purging
Just like how you feel uncomfortable in a few places and it takes a while to adjust, the same is with your skin as well.
Skin purging is a spoilt condition of your skin when a product just doesn’t/agree or suit your skin. For the most part, it is the products that have strong chemicals react on the skin and cause purging.
This purging affects the turnover of your skin cells. If there is a disturbance in the turnover, it becomes a hindrance for new skin cells to form and several other issues start to attack the skin.
To name a few of them, the pores on your skin start to clog, excess sebum settles and your skin and then it gets even more oilier and comedones begin to get into your skin.
Read: Troublesome Adult Acne – Learn The Solutions To Treat It! Understand It All!
Skin Purging Vs Breakout
The problem with your skin getting purged comes into the picture when it affects the turnover on your skin cells.
Usually, the problems that arise because of purging is not the product that is the sole reason, you wouldn’t know but your skin is already going through issues and later on this just starts to aggravate causing purging.
Having said, listed below are the differences between purging and breakout. Take a look!
No 1 – Clogged Pores
Purging – When you use a product that hasn’t suited your skin, the existing microcomedones get worse and become blackheads, whiteheads and acne.
Breakout – If your skin is going through a breakout then you will get to see new clogged pores.
No 2 – Pimples
Purging – When you go through skin purging, the existing pimples on your skin get bigger or they worsen.
Breakout – When your skin breaksout you get to experience some sort of burning sensation on the pimples.
No 3 – Blemishes
Purging – If your skin gets purged then the existing blemishes start getting more visible.
Breakout – If your are going through skin breakout, blemishes start to form on your skin.
Read: How to Get Rid of Acne Blemishes Home Remedies
No 4 – Time
Purging – When your skin gets purged, it doesn’t stay there for long. It disappears quicker than a normal pimple.
Breakout – When there is a skin breakout it takes about 10 days for the pimple to break from your skin.
No 5 – Pain
Purging – This condition burns and pains, however, it gets fine quicker than that of a skin breakout.
Breakout – This condition doesn’t hurt much, however, it stays for longer.
Therefore, having looked at a difference in skin purging and breaking out, if given a choice you wouldn’t want to choose either of them.
As one of them heals faster while the other takes a while to heal, the two of them are equally responsible in spoiling your skin differently.
How to Know If Your Skin is Purging Or Breaking Out
Here is what you need to know!
If you notice that your skin has started to have a reaction only after you used a skin care product, then it means your skin is purging. However, you still clearly won’t know. The only way you can identify this is by waiting for a while and noticing if the purging on your skin has reduced or not. If you see it hasn’t then it is obvious that it is a skin breakout.
- When you notice that your acne is increasing and it is causing papules that are small and hard red bumps it clearly means your skin is purging.
- You can try a method of treating your skin if you see clogged pores or red pimples to just test if your skin is purging and if the treatment hasn’t made a difference to your skin then it means your skin is purging.
- When there is a change in your lifestyle and if your skin is unable to resist the change or for that matter if you use a brush on your skin and it ends up having a reaction, this is clearly skin purging.
- After constant observations, you finally end up learning how to recognize problems on your skin.
In the end after trying everything possible and waiting for long if you don’t see an improvement in your skin’s condition, you will need to go to the dermatologist and from there you will be guided to what has to be done.
Read: What are hormonal acne and pimples on face
What Products Cause Skin Purging
You don’t have to be scared about using products after reading enough about skin purging. You can’t suspect a flaw in every product.
That being said, the only trick you need to be aware of is the ingredients mixed in the products you use.
Any ingredient that has the ability to increase the turnover on your skin cells is the biggest risk factor for causing purging on your skin.
What are the names of those ingredients? Know them so that you can safeguard your skin. Here you go!
- Retinol
- Isotretinoin
- Retinyl palmitate
- Tretinoin
- Tazarotene
- Adapalene
- Malic acid
- Lactic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Lactobionic acid
- Mandelic acid
- Gluconolactone
- Fruit acids and enzyme exfoliants
All in all, all kinds of retinoids, (R) hydroxy acids, exfoliants, benzoyl peroxide and chemical peels or other microdermabrasion and lasers treatments are the main factors that disturbs the skin and causes purging.
Read: 10 Best Korean Skin Care For Acne – Free Your Skin!
How Long Does Skin Purging Last
Yes, the purging looks horrifying on your skin, but, why be worried? It doesn’t get a permanent residence, it gets out of your skin after a while, you just need to hold your horses with a little patience.
In general, purging lasts on your skin depending on how fast your skin cells regenerate. If it happens too quick then the for the purging to disappear from your skin takes a while.
For the most part, skin purging lasts for not more than 6 – 8 weeks. If it goes beyond this then there are chances that your skin is not used to the product you are using.
You should know that age is a factor and the older you are the longer it takes for the purging to go away from your skin. You cannot do anything to stop this problem, you will just be able to decrease the severity of this problem.
Therefore, don’t get worked up with the purging! Stay patient and deal with your skin!
What To Do When Skin Is Purging
A good skin care routine is what you need to deal with skin purging. At any cost avoid using a retinoid or exfoliator, their reaction gets extremely bad on your skin.
One of the safe tips to add to your skin care routine is a sulfate-free cleanser, an effective moisturizer and a good sunscreen lotion right as you begin your day.
How to Deal With Skin Purging
It is important for you to understand the following things about skin purging. Take a look!
You cannot expect the skin purging to speed up and heal. As you know you have to wait for 6 weeks, you can practice a few things that can reduce its impact on your skin.
No 1 – Stop fidgeting with the acne
You should not prick the existing acne on your skin, by doing this, you are increasing chances for the acne to spread and become scars on your face.
No 2 – Get a medical facial done
The other name to a medical facial is known as hydra facial. Before you begin with this one you need to let your doctor check your skin type, if you have sensitive skin then this process is not for you.
This process is all about removing all the impurities on your skin by filling in necessary serums.
No 3 – Say ‘No’ to products that will make your skin dry
The products that usually make your skin dry are exfoliants. Naming them, avoid salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. These products worsen the purging on your skin.
Read: 15 Best Paraben-Free Products For Your Hair And Skin – A Safe Deal!
No 4 – Check on the retinoid and exfoliant usage on your skin
This tip will help you avoid skin purging!
Whenever you use a retinoid on your skin, see to it that you just use it once in a week and thereon you will use it twice and then thrice a week.
Whenever you use an exfoliant, you should use it not more than once in a week. Exfoliants are different when compared to retinoids. It is enough to use it just once.
No 5 – Use A Sunscreen
When your skin has purged too much the best way to reduce is severity is by using a sunscreen lotion before stepping out of your home. This protection is necessary when your skin is purged.
Conclusion
Always be careful about any product you use, analyse your skin type and understand how every ingredient works on your skin. For the most part skin purging is the negative outcome of a product that hasn’t suited your skin.
While skin purging might seem like a breakout, there is a difference in the two of them and when your skin is purged, avoid fidgeting with it. Leave it alone for a while and if it’s taking too long then go visit a dermatologist for the best advice.
