If You Recently Started Using Retinol And Noticed You’re Now Breaking Out, Don’t Worry: “Retinoid Purging” Is Normal And Only Temporary
Picture this: You want to start taking better care of yourself and are ready to upgrade your skincare game. You do some research and treat yourself to a nice, retinol-based skin product because you’ve heard so much about how retinol is great for the skin.
But then, after a few days of using your retinol, you notice that your skin is breaking out and you have more acne than usual. How fun is that?
If you’ve found yourself in this situation, like I did a few weeks ago, don’t panic. You may just be experiencing ‘retinoid purging.’ Don’t be quick to throw away or stop using your retinol products – it’s only temporary!
Dermatologists have said that retinol is one of the best skincare ingredients for fighting against acne and has many anti-aging benefits.
But here’s the thing – retinol and retinoids are famous for cell turnover production, meaning they bring healthy skin cells to the surface, which is why retinol often gives your skin a more youthful texture.
But because of all the cell turnover that occurs when you first start using retinol, this also means that your skin will begin ‘retinoid purging,’ which means that all the gunk that has been clogging your pores and hiding beneath your skin will come to the surface, which can cause an increase in breakouts like whiteheads and blackheads.
When your skin is retinoid purging, you may also have to deal with peeling, redness, and other forms of irritation. But don’t panic! While this may all be super annoying, it’s simply a sign that the retinol is doing its job, and it won’t last forever.
If your skin begins retinoid purging after you start using a retinol product, don’t quit or stop using it. If you stop for days on end and then decide to pick it back up again, you’ll just have to start the purging process all over again.
Of course, if your skin is heavily irritated, starts becoming painful, and you notice really intense burning or peeling, you should stop and consult a dermatologist.
Prostock-studio – stock.adobe.com- illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
But if you’re just noticing a bit of redness and a few breakouts, don’t give up quite yet.
If you want to lessen the intensity of your retinoid purging, you can try using your retinol products every other night instead of every single night. This will give your skin some more time to adjust, and then once it does, you can use it nightly.
You’ll also want to ensure you pair your retinol with a fairly simple skincare routine, especially in the early days of using it. Dermatologists advise against using retinol with exfoliating products, including ones that use AHAs and BHAs. Pairing retinol with harsher, more stripping skincare products will be too much for your adjusting skin.
You’ll also want to avoid super harsh cleansers, stay diligent with moisturizing to repair your skin barrier, and always wear sunscreen, as retinol can make your skin more vulnerable to sun damage.
A retinoid purge may last up to four weeks, but the intensity of your breakouts and irritation can fade over that time. Therefore, you shouldn’t give up. Retinol truly has fantastic properties for your skin, and if you’ve started using it, you’ve made a great choice for your skincare routine.
While the purge may be annoying, if you take good care of your skin and keep a watchful eye, you’ll be left with stunning results once it’s all over.
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