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.
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.
Skin purging is a supercharged cleanse for your complexion. It is usually caused by an active ingredient in a skincare product or a process that speeds up the skin's cell shedding and renewal phase. These ingredients stimulate cell renewal turnover rate leaving behind clearer, smoother skin.
“It is important not to be aggressive when you see purging, and understand it can be part and parcel of getting the best results for your skin. When it occurs treat the skin gently – don't try and pick or exfoliate away the papules because that could actually make things worse.
Most of the time, a breakout caused by skin purging won't last more than a month. If you're trying a new skincare regimen and your face starts to break out, hang in there for six to eight weeks. It's likely that the skin will clear by then; if it doesn't, you should discontinue using the new products.
If you want to know how to clean pores more naturally, a baking soda cleanser is a gentle, natural alternative. Baking soda is effective at unclogging pores of dirt and oil while also exfoliating and conditioning your skin. It can also balance your skin's PH levels to prevent acne breakouts and dryness.
Dr. Beth McLellan recommends sticking with a product that is known to cause purging but not breakouts, such as a leave-on exfoliant that contains 1–2% salicylic acid. Over time, the blackheads and bumps should improve. If they don't you may need to add prescription or over-the-counter acne products to your regimen (6).
If you squeeze sebaceous filaments out from your skin, a waxy, threadlike structure may pop out of your pore. If you squeeze blackheads out from your skin, the dark, waxy plug may pop out of your pore.
“Retinol purging is a temporary side effect; if possible, continue to use your retinol as directed.”
If you've recently started using a product containing retinoids or chemical exfoliants such as glycolic or salicylic acid, there's a good chance your skin is feeling the purge. These ingredients work quicker by helping bring impurities to the surface and small red bumps can actually be a sign the product is working.
The skin purging period is unpredictable. Flares are seen within 1-4 weeks of beginning your skincare routine, and typically last between 2-8 weeks. Once it has passed, positive results should be seen soon thereafter.
The right way is to change one product at a time. If you are changing your cleanser this week, change the moisturizer in a gap of 7-8 days. Similarly, if you are introducing an active ingredient, give it a week to settle on your skin.
When the skin begins to purge and get rid of excess oil and dead skin cells, it's preparing to clear what isn't needed out of the body. While it goes through this process, acne and breakouts improve over time. Avoid touching, picking, or popping pimples.
Here's the scoop: While snail mucin, for the most part, won't cause purging like a hardcore retinoid, ingredients in certain other products — COSRX chief among them — have been known to cause cystic acne breakouts, so choose your essence wisely. Your best bet is to listen to your skin and make adjustments as needed.
Salicylic acid may produce mild side effects, such as skin irritation or peeling. If people experience more severe side effects, they should stop using the product and contact their doctor.
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.
Even with a good skincare routine, breakouts can still happen if the routine isn't matched to your skin's specific needs. Your skin might benefit from tweaking the products you use, possibly changing ingredients or dosages in your acne treatments.
Exfoliate: Use chemical exfoliants, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid rather than physical exfoliants, to gently dissolve dead skin cells.
Chemical Peels: Chemical Peels help in removal of excess oil and dirt from the face and also in controlling the sebum production. Regular chemical peels such as Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) peels, Salicylic Acid Peels and Vitamin A peels are recommended for Open Pores Treatment.
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 do decide to make a positive change to your food and skincare routine, you should expect a degree of 'purging' during which your skin may breakout initially. This is a normal reaction and means the body is responding to change. Stick with the program and you will see the benefits.