Clear
Have you ever started a new skincare regimen only to start breaking out? You might want to immediately swear off your new products, but not so fast! If your new skincare contains acids, your skin may be purging. What is skin purging? Here’s a guide.
What is skin purging?
Blackheads or whiteheads that show up in the weeks after beginning a skincare regimen with products that contain acids, such as chemical exfoliants, peels, acid-based serums, retinol treatments, or acne treatments.
What causes skin purging?
Acid-based skincare loosens up impurities buried deep within the pores while refining pore shape and rapidly increasing cell turnover. The result is clogs are brought to the surface quickly in the form of blackheads or whiteheads.
Should I toss the skincare?
Worry not, these are clogs that would have made their way to the surface at some point, but the use of chemical exfoliants and acids just hastens the process. The good news is that the sped up cell turnover will clear the breakouts just as quickly as they pop up. Once your skin has purged all the gunk buried deep within the pores, you’ll start to see the results of your skincare. Try and wait 3-4 weeks before you throw in the towel, and give your skin the chance to purge.
