Have you ever experienced the surge of new pimples while discovering new skincare products? You initially bought the latest skincare products with a dream of getting clear and flawless skin. However, it seems like something is wrong with the skincare products. But is there really something wrong with it?

Well, it could be purging instead of a breakout when you are new to any products with active ingredients in them.

WHAT IS PURGING?

Purging is a process where your skin is in the middle of adjusting to any active ingredients responsible for increasing your skin turnover rate. In the process of removing your old, dead cells to be replaced with new and young skin cells, anything that clogged your pores will turn to whiteheads/blackheads/acne faster than before.

Usually, it will take up to 8 weeks for a usually clogged pore to turn into annoying bumps on your skin. However, purging will make it faster to cleanse your pores.

As the product starts to work wonders, you will realize that your tiny bumps are getting lesser than the early purging stage. It will last for about 2-6 weeks or more, depending on your skin condition. Pimples due to purging will appear very quickly and disappear quickly within less than 7 days compared to normal pimples due to breakout.

WHAT CAN CAUSE PURGING?

Now, lets’ talk about what kind of ingredients may cause purging!

1. Chemical exfoliators

• Alpha-hydroxy-acids (AHAs) – Such as Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid. In our Alluskin Purifying Cleanser, glycolic acid is the active ingredient.
• Beta-hydroxy-acids (BHAs) – Salicylic Acid. If you have sensitive skin or are new to chemical exfoliants, it is advisable to not start with salicylic acid.

2. Retinoids/Vitamin A Derivatives

• Retinol, adapalene, tretinoin, etc

3. Acne spot treatment – Benzoyl Peroxide

4. Vitamin C

Other than these active ingredients, if you experienced a sudden surge of pimples, it might be breakout instead of purging.

In our next sharing, we will share how to differentiate purging and breakout.

Note: If you saw anyone is claiming that their natural product can cause purging, you might want to see the complete ingredient lists before using that product.