AT A GLANCE

WHAT IT IS

Skin purging is a temporary condition of breakouts due to adverse reaction to external environment or, in most cases, some ingredients in your skincare products
WHAT IT DOES

It is a known fact that people with sensitive skin are more likely to have skin purging. The constantly experience redness and skin inflammation when using certain active ingredients
HOLY GRAIL PRODUCTS

Harmony Glycopolymer Solution, Zitlox Salicylic Acne Gel, Glow To Go Glycolic Acid Peel Pads

What is Skin Purging? How Does It Differ From Breakouts?

Skin purging is a temporary condition of breakouts, where your skin either has dry flakes, redness, peeling, or itching, due to adverse reaction to external environment or, in most cases, some ingredients in your skincare products.

What is skin purging and how does it differ from breakouts?

Depending on individual’s skin type, texture, complexion, and sensitivity, skin purging may look different for different people. Generally, skin redness, itching, peeling, or flakiness are common signs of purging, but they may also cause excessive blackheads, whiteheads, and acnes. While breakouts and skin purging look similar, the causes for the two differ deeply. For example, skin purging predominantly occurs due to incorporation of a new skincare product or a facial treatment, while causes for breakouts can range anywhere from stress to hormonal imbalance.

The causes of skin purging and common triggers:

Some of the common causes of skin purging are:

Incorporating a new skincare product
Overusing chemical exfoliants
Allergic to ingredients in certain skincare products
Retinol intolerance

Common triggers that cause skin purging are anti-aging products and actives that we use to treat acne breakouts.

How to recognize and identify skin purging:

It is a known fact that people with sensitive skin are more likely to have skin purging. The constantly experience redness and skin inflammation when using certain active ingredients. Therefore, it is always advisable to do patch test before introducing a new skincare product to sensitive skin. Any signs that are similar to skin breakouts that occur after a facial treatment or commencement of a new product or due to a change in a skincare regime is a telltale sign of skin purging.

The benefits of skin purging:

Skin purging usually appears and fades quicker than breakouts. Only advantage of skin purging is that it shows you that an active that you have introduced is working on your skin. Continuing the use of a skincare product when the skin purging occurs will augment the skin cell turnover frequency cycle, which will help in improving the skin texture in the longer run.

How to manage and treat skin purging:

The best way to manage and treat skin purging is through it. You shall continue your regular skincare, but include enough nourishing and hydrating ceramides and moisturizers, apply and reapply SPF as needed, and finally be hydrated. Apart from these, also make sure to never peel any flaky skin, pop any pimples, or unnecessarily touch your face, as these are the reasons for delay in your skin purging to calm down.

The potential risks and precautions to consider when experiencing skin purging:

If you are constantly touching your face or if you try to peel your flaky skin, it can lead to permanent acne scars and blemishes, which may become hard to get rid of later. Additionally, the redness in sensitive skin may cause you itching and irritation, which may make you uncomfortable.

To avoid such issues, the best precautions are to always nourish and moisturize your skin, which calms the dryness, and use skincare products that are loaded with calming ingredients, which will nullify or reduce the purging caused by the active ingredients present in them.

How to prevent or minimize the occurrence of skin purging:

As mentioned earlier, the best way to minimize or prevent occurrence of skin purging, is to look for skincare products that are loaded with anti-inflammatory and calming ingredients. Zitlox Salicylic Acid Gel, while having the powerful salicylic acid as the main ingredient, contains tea tree oil and neem oil that fight skin issues and alleviates purging and breakouts.

Another interesting product is the Soothing Mist which is formulated with over 15 botanicals to reduce redness, soothe breakouts, and restore the skin's natural balance.

Tips for maintaining healthy, radiant skin during and after skin purging:

The best way to keep your skin healthy and radiant even while experiencing skin purging is to uses actives at night or with proper SPF during the day. Also, always remember to wear enough protective clothing to keep your skin safe from sun damage.

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