It can happen after using excellent products but, equally, it also frequently occurs when the skin barrier is compromised before starting with a product or treatment. The risk of purging can be reduced if you first repair the barrier function, then slowly start the treatment or introduce the product.”
Purging is very common - as many as 25% will experience some degree of purging. If you think about it, that makes sense. You're pushing out clogged up pores in a speeded-up fashion under the influence of your Preventor, so instead of getting those spots over the next 3 months, you get them over the next 3 weeks.
Increased Sensitivity to Products: Products that previously worked well for your skin now cause stinging, burning, or increased redness. Breakouts and Acne: When the skin barrier is impaired, bacteria and other impurities can penetrate more easily, leading to breakouts and acne.
“It can actually get worse before it gets better.”
The saying that “your skin has to get worse before it gets better” isn't universally true. Why purging happens to some people and not others remains a mystery, just like how some people experience comedones but not the red, swollen pimples and papules characteristic of inflammatory acne.
How long does it take for skin barrier to heal? The good news is: a broken skin barrier can be repaired, but it does take a little time and effort. Depending on the extent of the damage, it can take anywhere from a couple of weeks up to 6 months to get it back to its protective best.
Appearance: The blemishes that appear during purging are typically smaller and look the same as each other. A breakout, however, can include varying types of blemishes, including blackheads, whiteheads, and/or cystic acne.
Harsh cleansers can strip away the essential moisturising and nourishing substances that keep your skin barrier healthy. Do not use abrasive scrubs as they can cause micro-tears to the skin's surface. Instead, use a gentle, leave-on exfoliant. Use fragrance-free skincare products.
Marisa Garshick's, top do's and don'ts when it comes to repairing a damaged skin barrier. “It is important to avoid any ingredients that can worsen irritation or further compromise the skin barrier such as harsh soaps, abrasive scrubs, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids or salicylic acid.
A classic sign of a broken skin barrier is an inability to hold on to moisture. Skin that's dry and flaky despite your best efforts is one example of how this might manifest. Your skin might also peel away or look patchy.
AHAs: AHAs are exfoliating acids that can be too harsh for a damaged skin barrier, leading to further irritation and sensitivity. BHAs: While effective for treating acne, BHAs like salicylic acid can dry and may strip the skin of its natural oils, further compromising the skin barrier.
It's recommended to keep your skincare routine to a minimum during skin purging. Aside from the new product that you're testing, stick to the skin-friendly products you've used before. Concentrate on your fundamentals, such as cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and SPF.
Restore your skin with antioxidants
Help replace depleted skin lipids by incorporating antioxidant-rich ingredients into your daily skincare regimen. Ceramides and niacinamide are helpful for replenishing the skin barrier, while hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and panthenol will help your skin retain water.
In the long run, skin purging helps us shed dead skin cells more effectively which reduces pore-clogging build-up and breakouts, and it does settle down after a few weeks. But you do have to buckle in and ride out a few weeks of discomfort to see the best results.
However, if the damage is extreme, healing your skin barrier could take up to six months.
Petrolatum isn't just an occlusive moisturiser, it is also an emollient. It moves into the spaces around skin cells within the stratum corneum to take the place of lost lipids in dry and/or damaged skin, immediately improving the skin's barrier function1, as well as the skin's smoothness and softness.
Benefits of Snail Mucin for Skin
Moisturizes the skin: According to Dr. Lain, snail mucin contains moisturizing agents that work to repair the barrier function of the skin, both locking out irritants from the environment while also simultaneously locking in moisture.
As outlined above, niacinamide has the ability to help improve the skin's natural protective barrier. A strong stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin) is the first line of defence against exposure to irritants that could be potential triggers for sensitive skin and other skin concerns.
It can happen after using excellent products but, equally, it also frequently occurs when the skin barrier is compromised before starting with a product or treatment. The risk of purging can be reduced if you first repair the barrier function, then slowly start the treatment or introduce the product.”
Skin purging is said to last 4-6 weeks, however, everyone's skin is different (2). This is only temporary and will eventually subside as your skin adjusts to the new treatment. In the meantime, it is important to cleanse gently and avoid picking at your skin, as this can cause further irritation.
How long will it last? Because purging occurs with a change of skincare regime, it should only take one full skin cycle to get through the worst of it. On average a skin cycle is 5-6 weeks. At the age of 19-21,the process can take 14-21 days compared to a middle-aged adult where it is estimated to be 28 days.