Purging is a good sign that your skincare is effective and doing the right thing.
What Is Skin Purging?
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr Sapna Palep, skin purging refers to your skin’s reaction to a specific active ingredient that triggers cell turnover, causing your skin to exfoliate and bring congestion to the surface.
The good news about purging is that it’s temporary, the side effects are shorter than your standard breakout, and it’s ultimately a sign that the products you just introduced to your face are working.
What Causes Skin Purging?
Because a purge tends to signal a speed up in the skin exfoliation process, often you’ll notice what may be minor acne symptoms. The ingredients that lead to skin purging promote skin cell renewal by exfoliating. Generally, it’s said that the skin renews itself approximately every 28 days.
According to Dr Sapna Palep from Spring Street Dermatology in New York City, a skin purge is the process of the ‘skin cleaning out its pipes.’ Products or ingredients that increase your cell turnover, cause your skin to exfoliate and bring congestion to the surface are known to cause purging.
How to Treat a Skin Purge
When it comes to treating your skin during a purge, the best thing that you can do is actually the least satisfying answer anyone really wants to hear —you just have to wait it out.
Some tips to make the effects of a purge less irritating, which are similar to treating your skin the same way you would a regular breakout:
- keep your pillow case clean
- resist the urge to pick or pop any inflammation
- and because most purge-causing ingredients lead to skin sensitivity in the sun, limit exposure and wear protection when you’re outside.
Remember, purging is a good sign that your skincare is effective and doing the right thing.
Extract from: Is Your Skin Purging or Breaking Out? Here’s How to Spot the Difference by Kristin Howard; reviewed by Dr Dendy Engelman
