Skin Purging: Why it’s a good thing.

Active ingredients like retinol can be a little intimidating - here’s why you shouldn’t be scared…

It’s natural to shy away from products that seem to make our skin worse, instead gravitating towards those that give instant results. However, the popularisation of retinol in skincare has given us the opportunity to transform our skin - if we stick with it!

Retinol is what we call an active ingredient, meaning that its use is intended to treat and/or prevent a specific concern. Retinol works to speed up the production of new skin cells, and in doing this it often triggers a process known as purging.

We know, it sounds scary. But don’t be alarmed - skin purging marks the road to better skin!

Purging occurs when your skin is introduced to new, active ingredients which cause skin cells to turnover quicker. It is generally believed that our skin renews itself once a month, however, active ingredients speed up this process and cause your skin to exfoliate, bringing any congestion to the surface. 

Common active ingredients in skincare include:

• Retinoids (Vitamin A), e.g. retinol, retinyl palmitate, tretinoin. 
• Exfoliating acids, e.g. salicylic acid (BHA) and glycolic acid (AHA).
• Vitamin C (a.k.a. L-ascorbic acid). 

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

During this process, new healthy cells grow and replace old dead cells, which can often clog pores and cause a microcomedone to form. A microcomedone is the scientific term for the earliest stage of acne, caused by a buildup of sebum and dead skin cells. 

Skin purging presents itself in different ways for different people, such as:

• Blemishes
• Small red bumps
• Dryness/flakiness
• Redness
• Increased sensitivity
• Peeling      

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

Purging can last anywhere from 1 week to 6 weeks. 
This is dependent on a few factors; the strength of the product, the regularity of use, and the skin type it’s used on. The important thing to keep in mind is that it is temporary (and worth it!).

Megan’s 1-week purging journey with our Retinol Night Cream:

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

In a nutshell, skin purging is beneficial because it indicates that the treatment is working. After your skin has got rid of all the gunk brewing below the surface, you’re left with clearer, smoother, and brighter skin.

HOW DO I KNOW IT'S NOT A BAD REACTION?

It can be hard to tell whether your skin is purging, or reacting to a new product. However, there are a few differences to look out for...

If you feel as though your skin is simply disagreeing with the product, try starting with a lower dose or applying the product 2-3 times per week to avoid overwhelming your skin.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM BASELIFT’S Retinol Night Cream?

Our new & improved Night Cream contains 0.2% of the active ingredient retinol.

We chose this strength of retinol as it’s suitable for beginners, yet potent enough to ensure that you will see results!
Our previous Retinol Cream contained 2% Retinyl Palmitate (a weaker form of retinoid), which delivered slower results. Due to the improved strength of our Retinol, purging may occur when using it for the first time, but this will subside after a few weeks: perseverance is key!