For those of us who do suffer from purging, it can look like: breaking out in pustules (pimples), the appearance of flaky, peeling skin, irritation and dry patches. Getting these symptoms can be demotivating, especially if you're already feeling unconfident about your skin.
If you typically don't experience frequent breakouts but start noticing a sudden increase in pimples, particularly after starting retinoids, this could indicate rapid skin cell turnover or a skin purge. These breakouts are generally smaller and more superficial compared to cystic acne.
How long will the retinol purge last? This varies, but you can expect the purge to last anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. If you're seeing results for longer than 3 months, you might want to consult your GP or dermatologist. But first, be sure your skin concerns are definitely related to retinol…
Retinization is something everyone who uses retinol—more specifically and more commonly, prescription-grade retinoids—goes through when they first begin using their product. While some may experience very mild symptoms, others might go through something unflatteringly known as the “retinol uglies.”
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.
The skin goes red, inflamed, and peeling because retinol has chemically burned away the upper layer of skin, the new exposed skin has not had enough time to build up its natural protection film to UV light and pollutants that a good UV moisturising oil can help with and reduce the exposure to skin cancer risk, ...
Appearance. The blemishes caused by purging are usually smaller, come to a head quicker and heal faster. Breakouts, however, can vary widely in appearance, including blackheads, whiteheads, deeper cystic spots or hormonal acne along the jawline. They might heal slowly and can range in size and severity.
You will be able to tell that Retinol is working if you start to see improvements in the texture and general appearance of your skin. Some people might be able to spot changes in their skin quite quickly, while others will have to be more patient.
Experiencing an initial purge when starting out with retinoids is normal. Purging can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on your skin. If you are still experiencing breakouts and irritation after this time, we recommend reaching out to your dermatology provider!
Retinol can assist in reducing further breakouts, as its formula helps to renew the skin cell cycle and improve skin barrier health. In terms of using retinol on popped pimples, the strength and efficacy of this ingredient can assist with marks.
In general, a retinol purge is a one-time deal that takes about four weeks to complete, although the amount of time varies by skin type. (Speaking of, retinol isn't a good idea for those with eczema, severe rosacea, or extremely sensitive skin.)
For those of us who do suffer from purging, it can look like: breaking out in pustules (pimples), the appearance of flaky, peeling skin, irritation and dry patches. Getting these symptoms can be demotivating, especially if you're already feeling unconfident about your skin.
We recommend following the 1-2-3 rule: apply retinol once a week for one week, twice a week for two weeks, three times for three weeks, then move towards every second night if there are no side effects happening. If you do experience flaking, redness or sensitivity, simply move back to a lower frequency for a week.
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.
Use creams with lactic acid to moisturise and gently exfoliate along with mild glycolic acid creams to remove dead skin layer.
How long does your face purge on tretinoin? Skin purging typically lasts anywhere between four to six weeks which is roughly in line with how long it takes for your skin cells to naturally turnover.
Retinol burns heal on their own over 1 to 2 weeks, typically. But Dr. Robinson cautioned, “For people with sensitive skin or underlying conditions, like eczema, it may take a little longer.” If you develop a retinol burn, stop using retinol products until your skin heals.
Gentle exfoliation. While it's important to avoid over-exfoliating while using retinol, you can use a gentle scrub when necessary, especially before applying makeup. This helps to smooth the skin and remove flakes without causing further irritation. Use exfoliation sparingly, about every three days.
In other words, when you use certain products, your skin is likely to look worse before it looks better. A purge can look like blackheads and whiteheads, and it's likely to appear in the places where you normally break out.
Initial skin irritation, dryness, and sensitivity are common when using retinol products for the first time. If you continue to notice these effects on your skin after the first few weeks of use, it's a good idea to discuss this with your doctor or dermatologist [3].
When can you expect to see changes in your skin? It takes at minimum around four weeks, and at maximum up to three months to start reaping benefits from retinol, as dermatologists say skin turnover benefits closely align with the timeline of collagen production.