Does BHA Make Skin Purge? The answer is: Maybe … for some people. Because BHA is oil-soluble, it exfoliates not only on the surface of skin, but also inside the pore lining. That kind of exfoliation can trigger a mass exodus of inflammatory substances and oil that, under certain conditions, can create more breakouts.
My beloved Paula's Choice BHA Liquid Exfoliant caused me to purge for 4-6 weeks. During this time I used the exfoliator 1-2x a week. Before you jump ship lets talk about why skin purges. A purge occurs because this BHA exfoliates not just the surface of your skin but also the lining of your pores.
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – yes, I'm well-aware that aforementioned product actually caused said skin purge, but continuing with it also got me through. I started the Paula's Choice 2% BHA for a reason, to help clear breakouts, blackheads and improve skin texture and tone.
It's normal for your skin to purge when you use a product with a chemical exfoliator, such as AHA's and BHA's. Sometimes, your anti-acne treatment with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can also cause skin purging.
Depending on the products you were using before, you may see an overnight improvement. Enhanced results will occur within 2–8 weeks, and will increase and be maintained over time.
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.
Hundreds of TikTok beauty lovers with various skin types, from oily to dry to acne-prone, and redness-prone were trying the liquid exfoliant, and every single one of them saw dramatic results fast. Even dermatologists rave about it how good it is at clearing acne and texture.
The most probable reason for the breakouts experienced after using a BHA is pure coincidence. The breakouts also may coincide with hormonal fluctuations, as many women tend to breakout during this time no matter what anti-acne products they're using or starting to use.
Paula's Choice BHAs work quickly, and if this is your first "real" BHA, it may result in speeding up the process of your breakout as the BHA works to clear cellular debris and excess oil from the lining of your pores. ... The most probable reason for the breakouts experienced after using a BHA is pure coincidence.
Yes, BHAs can cause initial skin purging, but they also happen to be the most effective way to clear and prevent acne.
Salicylic acid also improves the shape of the pore lining, and once the pore is normalized, the backed-up, smaller clog can more easily come to the surface, appearing as new clogged pores (blackheads or white bumps).
How often should I use Paula's Choice BHA Exfoliant? You can use Paula's Choice BHA every day— exfoliating once either in the morning or evening (pick whichever is most convenient for you). Many people with stubborn clogged pores have great results using a Paula's Choice BHA exfoliant twice per day.
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.
Retinoids such as Tretinoin, acids such as salicylic, and benzoyl peroxide are just a few of the products that cause purging. These products contain active ingredients that increase the skin cell turnover rate, therefore causing your skin to purge.
BHAs clear up blackheads, whiteheads, and have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This umbrella term includes the popular anti-acne ingredient of Salicylic Acid. BHAs also exfoliate the top layer but are best bought for their deep penetrative qualities.
This leave-on gel exfoliant is a completely non-abrasive way to remove layers of dull skin to reveal younger skin hiding underneath. It also shrinks clogged pores, diminishes the appearance of wrinkles, and improves skin tone.
No, 2% BHA Liquid isn't a toner. It's a leave-on, chemical exfoliant with salicylic acid that removes built-up dead skin and unclogs pores. Paula's Choice toners add vital skin-replenishing ingredients immediately after cleansing, before exfoliating, to hydrate, refresh and rebalance.
Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment dramatically improves the severity and frequency of tenacious pore-related concerns. Its gentle yet effective, targeted action is suitable for all skin types, including skin prone to sensitivity and milia. At night, apply as a leave-on spot treatment for stubborn imperfections.
“Purging is neither good nor bad. It can happen after using excellent products but, equally, it also frequently occurs when the skin barrier is compromised prior to starting with a product or treatment.
You may experience skin purging from exfoliating acids, too. “Certain facials that involve a chemical peel component may also trigger this reaction,” Mraz Robinson says, “because again, it's all about a reaction in response to an accelerated exfoliation.”
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.
If you want to prevent skin purging or limit a purge's severity, make sure you introduce your new acne treatment products slowly into your routine. This is true of other skincare products for most skin conditions! Slow and steady usually wins the race.
Classic K-Beauty acids like COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid contain approximately 4% of betaine salicylate (a type of BHA) and can technically be used every day. However, it's not a good idea to start using 4% BHA every day if you've never tried a BHA before. Instead, start off by applying the product once a week.