Have you ever tried a product for the first time, especially a face balm or a rich oil and developed breakouts? Have you been discouraged and decided to discontinue the culprit right away?

It's so annoying investing in a good beauty product and to wake up the following day with breakouts. 

We have good news for you so don't ditch your new face oil or serum yet.

What you have experienced is possibly not a breakout but Dermatologists call it purging, a short term minor breakout that is actually good for you.  Your new product effectively accelerates the shedding of dead skin cells and triggers a deep cleansing by resurfacing trapped sebum.  It's a natural reaction that is actually confirming that the product is working and renewing your skin.

Let’s clarify the difference between redness, purge, breakout, and allergy.

  REDNESS   

Sometimes, when you try a new skincare product, your skin will redden for a few seconds. Nothing to worry about – the skin is simply adjusting to new ingredients and it will get used to them very quickly. You can continue using the new product without any issues.

 If the redness or discomfort lasts for more than 20-30 seconds, your skin may not tolerate one or more ingredients and it’s time to stop using that product.

    PURGE    

When a new skincare product is applied, a purge happens with a pimple formation that can be easily interpreted as breakout, but it is not.  If your skin in already stressed or slightly inflamed on its own, the new product with its active ingredients new to your skin, can make it easier for normally pre-existing invisible to the eye clogged pore (Microcomedones) to come to the surface and become small pimples.

This reaction is because the product is working as it is meant to renew and speed up the cell turnover of your skin; in other words, your skin gets worse before it gets better. Truly better.

The purging may last from 1 up to 4 weeks and when your skin finally settles down, you will see a healthy and radiant complexion.  

   BREAKOUT   

Breakouts happen when you apply a product and you experience the formation of pimples and general redness. This happens when you are sensitive to one or the combination of the ingredients, you have layered your products incorrectly and without regular exfoliation, you are using a very harsh cleansing product stripping your skin of its precious protective layer, you are using too many different skincare products for your routine. The more you use the product that causes the breakout, the worse the skin gets so it’s a good idea to stop using it completely.

  ALLERGY   

If your skin does not tolerate a specific ingredient even if included in tiny percentages in a product, you will have an immediate reaction that can be inflammation, irritation and severe breakouts. Allergies can develop over time if you use harsh ingredients in high concentrations and use skincare blended with the same essential oils for long period of time.  If you suspect any topical allergy linked to a specific ingredient, we recommend doing a patch test on your forearm.

HOW DO I KNOW IF IT’S A PURGE OR A BREAKOUT?

Time will tell, but generally, breakouts happen in areas of your face where you normally don’t have any pimples. A purge will subside after a few days, breakouts will stay the same if not getting worse.

IS IT WORTH GOING THRU PURGE?

Purging is a very natural process that can be considered as a skin detox and boost cell renewal. Don’t be scared by a few isolated pimples and continue using the product – it is definitively worth it! It is always a good idea to rotate the products you use regularly, so trying new skincare and possibly enduring few days of purging is a great way to stimulate your skin and keep it nourished and protected with a variety of ingredients.

WHICH TYPE OF SKINCARE INGREDIENTS CAN CAUSE PURGING?

• AHA’S (excluding Glycolic acid) and mechanical exfoliants
• Retinols (Vitamin A)
• Vitamin C in small concentration
• Products with less than 1% essential oils

WHICH TYPE OF SKINCARE INGREDIENTS CAN CAUSE BREAKOUTS?

• Glycolic acid
• Vitamin C in high concentration
• Oils and butters with the high comedogenic rate (Shea Butter, Coconut oil…)

WHAT TO DO WHILE MY SKIN IS PURGING?

Use your new product every other day and once the skin has improved, restart using the same product daily, and use just a little. Layer it with other hydrating protective products such as light moisturizers (HAE)  and serums that contain hyaluronic acid (IIS, NAA) or protective products like probiotic skincare (HAE, CHUN). 

Don’t give up amazing products just because you woke up with few extra pimples – keep going and we guarantee you that the correct product combination will transform your skin for the better.