It will heal – but remember, it always gets worse before it gets better.
Here's what a happy skin barrier usually looks and feels like: Skin is mostly smooth and flake-free. Skin feels comfortable after using gentle cleansers and products with non-active ingredients. You don't typically experience tightness, itchiness, or unpleasant reactions — healthy skin is calm skin.
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.
However, if the damage is extreme, healing your skin barrier could take up to six months. Just make sure you remain consistent with your reparative routine, and don't be tempted to stray from nourishing cleansers and face creams.
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.”
It will heal – but remember, it always gets worse before it gets better.
Breakouts often appear more sporadic in your usual problem spots. Purging often results in whiteheads and small raised red bumps on the skin, known as papules. True breakouts are more likely to induce nodules or cysts - larger, swollen, painful pimples that feel like knots under the skin.
“Purging usually follows a predictable duration, typically anywhere from four to six weeks,” Dr. Thiede said. Since purging occurs because your skin is adjusting to a new product, it shouldn't last longer than how long it takes for your skin to renew itself (about 28 days for most people).
Using too many products or harsh ingredients can damage the skin barrier and lead to dryness, irritation, and inflammation. Stick to a simple routine that includes a gentle cleanser, a hydrating moisturizer, and sunscreen. If you have a skin condition, follow your treatment plan as directed by your doctor.
You may want to stop using it sooner rather than later if your new product does not contain ingredients that cause skin purging. "If it isn't something that's formulated to help skin turn over and you're breaking out more, you should stop," said Dr. Nagler.
The most apparent sign that your skincare routine is working is a uniform skin tone. Before our efforts kick in, the skin is often dotted with black heads, acne scars, dark spots, etc. But when your skin is healthy, these things begin to fade. The dark spots vanish into your natural color.
While it does cause more bumps and spots to develop in the area being treated, it is a sign that the acne product is working. When you are going through a skin purge, it's important to avoid picking at any of the breakouts, use only gentle facial ingredients and cleansers, and follow all medication instructions.
Unusual skin conditions: The appearance of acne, eczema, psoriasis, bacterial, viral, or fungal skin infections are the signs. Discolouration: Your skin may have an uneven skin tone or rough, discoloured patches. Inflammation: Your skin may be frequently inflamed or swollen.
“Alcohol, fragrances and strong acids such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid can disrupt the skin barrier and cause further damage,” continues Dr Ifeoma.
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.
Skin purging can show itself as red bumps, whiteheads and blackheads on the face. In addition, it causes dead skin cells to surface, which results in flakiness and dryness. These signs can also indicate your skin is getting accustomed to a product.
Purging: when your skin gets worse before it gets better
Today we're talking about skin purging: that not-so-fun but pretty common occurrence, when treating your acne causes more breakouts at first. Your skin may get worse before it gets better, but it will get better!
Niacinamide skincare products can sometimes cause breakouts in people who are acne-prone. If you start to experience more breakouts while using niacinamide products, discontinue use immediately.
The time it takes to repair the skin barrier can vary depending on the severity of the damage, the underlying cause, and an individual's skin type. In general, minor skin barrier damage may take a few days to a week to heal, while a more severely compromised barrier may take several weeks to months to fully recover.
How Aquaphor Healing Ointment Helps Skin Heal. Aquaphor Healing Ointment creates a protective barrier on the skin that allows for the flow of hydration and oxygen. The barrier also helps keep in skin's own moisture to create an ideal healing environment.
Our favorite dermatologist-recommended affordable cleansers are: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, Derma Made Hydrating Cleanser, or CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for dry and sensitive skin.
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.
If the skin purging stage is really troublesome, it can be helpful to decrease the frequency of your actives by alternating days of use. Stick with it - in time, things will likely improve. When the frequency of new spots starts to reduce, increase the frequency of your actives again.
It doesn't typically trigger the skin purging process, as it primarily focuses on hydration, not exfoliation. Purging usually occurs with ingredients that speed up cell turnover, like retinoids or AHAs. Since hyaluronic acid's role is to attract and hold moisture, it generally stays out of the purging business.