These products are actually removing excess dead skin and oil (sebum) from the skin. Q. Does glycolic acid cause purging? Yes, glycolic acid can sometimes cause purging in acne prone skin.
Skin purging symptoms
Skin purging may be intense and make you second guess if you should continue using a product, but understand that this process is temporary and a sign that the product is working. Common ingredients in skincare products that can stimulate skin purging include: Glycolic acid. Lactic acid.
Most people can use glycolic acid safely. However, sometimes the acid can irritate darker skin tones and cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or dark spots. Using lower concentrations and refraining from using too many glycolic acid-containing products can often reduce this risk.
It can take close to three months to begin to see the anti-aging benefits of glycolic acid in your skin – however, the wait is worth it!
Skin purging typically looks like tiny red bumps on the skin that are painful to touch. They are often accompanied by whiteheads or blackheads. It can also cause your skin to become flaky. The flare ups caused by purging have a shorter lifespan than a breakout.
Be patient for one skin cycle, or about 28 days
Generally speaking, dermatologists say purging should be over within four to six weeks of starting a new skin care regimen. If your purge lasts longer than six weeks, consult your dermatologist.
Many have questioned whether skin purging is real. It may seem contradictory that continuing to use a product through breakouts and holding on through some serious bad skin days can result in your complexion eventually clearing. But purging is absolutely real—especially if you have acne-prone skin to begin with.
Is Glycolic Acid okay for everyday use? Depending on the concentration, yes, you can use Glycolic Acid every day. If you're new to chemical exfoliants, you should work up to using it every day slowly rather than overdoing it at the beginning.
Glycolic acid not only exfoliates the surface of the skin but penetrates to dissolve the sebum that causes blackheads.
Glycolic acid can be used on active pimples to dry them out and help them clear up faster. That being said, glycolic acid should not be used on pimples that have been popped or otherwise have resulted in an open sore, as it can cause burning.
How to treat skin purging. “If the skin barrier is compromised when you see purging then start ingredients which help with barrier repair, such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid in a non-comedogenic formulation. If you are using a treatment or product continue with a slower approach.”
Purging is a sign that the product is working and you should continue with the treatment as prescribed. After a few weeks of purging, your skin and acne will have noticeably improved. Breaking out is when your skin is reacting because it is sensitive to something in the new product.
Though some people do report experiencing irritation and breakouts after using the ingredient, niacinamide is unlikely to cause purging. That's because it doesn't affect the skin in a way that usually triggers purging.
How long does the “purge” time period last? Purging from glycolic acid should only last for up to a month. If your skin isn't getting better after 6-8 weeks of using the product, than ditch it.
A purge can last as long as two months, and you should start seeing an improvement by the six-week point, if not sooner. On the other side of a purge is cleaner, clearer skin!
How long does it take for skin to purge? Unfortunately, purging can be a lengthy process and it can take up to three or so months before results start to show, especially if the treatment is an acne medicated treatment.
Glycolic acid is the ultimate at unclogging pores, thanks to its unmatched exfoliating capabilities. When topically applied, glycolic acid is able to quickly permeate the skin cell and dissolve the bonds holding dead cells, excess sebum, and dirt together.
Additionally, for those looking for a more intense treatment, an over-the-counter glycolic acid peel or mask is a great way to speed up the exfoliation process and shrink the appearance of pores over time. Glycolic acid is also killer at reducing pore size, thanks to its ability to boost collagen production.
However, despite the speed and ease with which dark spots can form on the face, glycolic acid offers consumers an excellent and affordable option to fade dark spots, in as little as four weeks.
But overall, stick to using water-based products and serums together. AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
Always use glycolic acid at night. It works its magic overnight. Also, your skin might get sensitive to the sun. So, SPF during the day is an absolute must!
According to Isaac, the ideal percentage of glycolic acid for at-home use would be 8 percent to 30 percent, with 30 being what she called the “high normal.” “Most face washes are somewhere between 8 to 10 percent. Creams can be 15 percent and be used daily.
Skin purging occurs when you start using a new product that contains chemical exfoliants such as alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, and retinoids, all of which speed up the rate of skin cell turnover (the rate at which you shed dead skin cells and replace them with new cells), says Dr. Gonzalez.
What does it look like? Distinct, acne-like bumps may be purging. However, if you're noticing welts, diffuse redness, or anything resembling a rash, stop what you're doing. Inflammation is a sign of reaction and generally appears as all-over redness rather than individual, blemish-like spots.