Purging skin refers to a reactionary flare-up or a breakout. This may happen when a new skincare routine with active ingredients is introduced. Fret not, you’re not the only one.

What Causes Purging Skin?

Some of the most common culprits behind a flare-up are also some of the most powerful and beneficial skincare active ingredients. The reason why these ingredients trigger an initial breakout or ‘purge’ is because they increase cell turnover.

The accelerated exfoliation of dead skin cells and shedding may trigger more blackheads or breakouts. Here’s how:

• Microcomedones turn into blackheads, whiteheads or cysts; or microcomedones that were invisible before get pushed to the surface
• Existing pimples get inflamed
• Blemishes may become more pronounced

These skin problems were most likely already lurking before the products came into the picture. Furthermore, once your skincare starts working its magic, flare-ups will diminish, and your skin WILL start to clear up.

In the long run, these active ingredients for glowing skin boost renewal more effectively, in a way that dead skin cells don’t build up and clog our pores.

Short-term pain, long-term gain. (What’s new?)

Fortunately, the purging process should only last for around 4-6 weeks. In the meantime, here are some tips to get you through.

Tips to Minimise the Intensity of the Purge

SPF Up

Opt for a lightweight SPF between 30-50 that goes right after your skincare regimen (and before makeup). This will help protect your skin’s barrier against free radicals and UV damage.

Additionally, it will offer protection from environmental stressors that might aggravate the breakout.

Cleanse Right

We all love a hot bath, but hot water will only leach the skin of its protective layer. Additionally, avoid foaming cleansers at all costs as it strips away our natural moisturising factor.

And for the time being, stick to the safe ways to exfoliate skin. Avoid physical exfoliation; especially those with large exfoliants like nutshells and fruit pits. They tend to cause micro-tears in the skin and end up harming rather than helping.

Toner it Up

The ideal and natural pH level of the skin ranges from 4.5 to 5.5. If it shoots up beyond 6.5, the health of your skin gets compromised by turning vulnerable to bacteria and infections.

Using a toner before applying other skincare will ensure that this pH value switches back to normal. This will also help prime the skin so that the beneficial ingredients from skincare are soaked in better.

Healthier Lifestyle Choices

Not to sound preachy, but our lifestyle choices including how long we sleep and what we eat affect our skin more than we think.

Especially when going through a purge, having enough rest and a healthy diet (including >7 cups of water a day) is crucial. Following these healthy skin lifestyle tips will speed up the skin renewal process.

Monitor your Skin Closely

All that being said, we recommend you to stop using any suspected offending products if the breakout or acne persists, becomes painful or progressively worsens.

Also, do check if you're using Yours in a climate different from that when you took our skin test.

Lastly, if you think it’s more than a case of your skin ‘purging,’ please write to us. We'll be more than happy to assist!

Questions? Leave us a comment below.