How to take care of the skin during a purge?

Once you have confirmed that your breakouts are indeed due to a purge and not an acne flare-up or a allergic reaction, it is beneficial to support your skin during this challenging transition by adopting certain habits. Here are some tips for doing so:

• Continue to use the skincare product responsible for the purge.

  Once the product causing the purge has been identified, it may be tempting to stop using it to halt the breakout of blemishes. However, this would be a mistake, as the purge induced by the skincare product is precisely intended to expel all imperfections at once so they do not appear later, allowing the skin to regain its clarity. Interrupting the treatment would be like taking a step backward and would only delay the emergence of blemishes. Therefore, it is important to continue using the skincare product. Once the cellular renewal is complete, you will notice all the benefits it has brought to your skin.

• Refrain from popping or touching the pimples.

  In the event of a skin purge, or in any other situation where blemishes appear, some people find it hard to resist touching or attempting to pop them. However, it is advisable to avoid doing so, as this could lead to inflammation or potentially permanent scarring on the face. It's better to let imperfections heal naturally, your skin will thank you later.

• Avoid incorporating additional exfoliants into your routine.

  If you are using exfoliating or keratolytic agents that cause skin purging, it is recommended to refrain from simultaneously applying other actives with similar effects. This could trigger excessive skin cell renewal and cause skin irritations, in addition to potentially worsening blemishes and slowing their healing process.

• Continue to properly hydrate your skin.

  While purging can be beneficial for long-term blemish removal, it tends to weaken the skin. To increase its resilience against inflammation, maintain its hydration balance, and strengthen the overall skin barrier, it is necessary to apply a daily moisturizing cream or balm. Products containing hyaluronic acid and glycerin are particularly beneficial for caring for dehydrated and sensitized skin. Skincare products that incorporate soothing ingredients such as panthenol or chamomile, capable of reducing redness and inflammation, are also recommended.

• Protecting the skin from UV rays.

  During a skin purge, the skin can be particularly sensitive and vulnerable to the sun's ultraviolet rays, especially if the skincare products used are based on retinol or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA). Sun protection, useful on a daily basis, then becomes crucial. Moreover, applying a sun care product every day when the skin is prone to blemishes can help limit the risks of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a phenomenon that occurs when skin damaged by inflammation is exposed to the sun.