Is your skin purging or allergic? Here's how to tell the difference.
When introducing a new skincare product, the sudden appearance of pimples can raise questions: is it a skin purge, an acne breakout, or an allergic reaction? Understanding these phenomena is essential for adapting your routine and maintaining healthy skin.
Understanding skin purging
Skin purging is a temporary reaction of the skin to certain cosmetic ingredients, particularly chemical exfoliants and retinoids. These ingredients accelerate cell renewal, bringing underlying imperfections to the surface. This process can lead to the appearance of microcomedones, blackheads, or whiteheads, mainly on areas that are usually prone to breakouts.
Differentiating between purging, acne, and allergic reactions
1. Timeline of symptoms
- Skin cleansing : Breakouts usually appear a few days after introducing a new product containing exfoliating agents or retinoids. They last between 4 and 8 weeks, corresponding to the skin's cell renewal cycle.
- Persistent acne Lesions may occur without any recent change in routine and persist for more than 8 weeks.
- Allergic reaction Symptoms such as redness, itching, or swelling appear quickly after applying the product and may spread to unusual areas.
2. Location and appearance of lesions
- Skin cleansing : Pimples appear on areas usually prone to breakouts, such as the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), in the form of microcomedones, blackheads, or whiteheads, without significant inflammation.
- Acne Inflammatory lesions, such as papules, pustules, or nodules, which are often painful, may appear on various parts of the face or body, without any specific location.
- Allergic reaction Symptoms such as redness, hives, blisters, or swelling, accompanied by burning or itching sensations, may occur in unusual areas, often accompanied by itching or diffuse redness.
Precautions and care during skin cleansing
- Continue using the product If the symptoms correspond to purging, it is generally recommended to continue using the product, except in cases of severe irritation.
- Avoid handling Do not pierce or touch the lesions to prevent infection or scarring.
- Limit other assets : Reduce the use of other exfoliating or irritating products to minimize the risk of irritation.
- Moisturize the skin : Use appropriate moisturizers to strengthen the skin barrier and soothe any irritation.
- Sun protection Apply SPF 50 sunscreen daily to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially when using retinoids or exfoliating acids.
When starting a new skincare routine, it is recommended to add new products gradually, so that it is easier to identify which product is responsible in the event of an allergic reaction.
