What Does Skin Purging Look Like?
If you experience skin purging, you may notice:
✔ Mild redness in areas prone to sensitivity (nose, mouth, or cheeks)
✔ Flakiness or dry patches as dead skin sheds faster
✔ A tight or slightly rough texture before skin softens
✔ Short-lived effects—usually improving within a few weeks
This isn’t a negative reaction—it’s just your skin adjusting and clearing out the old layer to reveal a fresher, more radiant complexion.
How to Tell the Difference Between a Skin Purge and a Reaction
If your skin feels dry, flaky, or slightly red after using ZAMY’s Desert Radiance Face Cream, you might wonder: Is my skin adjusting, or am I having a bad reaction?
The key difference is time and location. Here’s how to know:
| Signs of a Skin Purge | Signs of a Negative Reaction |
|---|---|
| Mild redness or flaking, especially around the nose, mouth, or cheeks | Widespread burning, stinging, or swelling anywhere on the face |
| Skin feels slightly tight or dry but improves with moisturisation | Skin feels hot, itchy, or painful, even after applying a moisturiser |
| Temporary dry patches that fade within a few weeks | Prolonged irritation that worsens over time |
| No new painful breakouts—just some sensitivity in certain areas | New breakouts in unusual areas or small rash-like bumps all over |
| Skin starts looking smoother and more balanced over time (within a few weeks) | Skin becomes increasingly red, inflamed, or irritated |
What to Do If You Experience Dryness or Flaking
- If it’s a purge: Keep going! Your skin is adjusting, and this phase should pass within 2-4 weeks. Continue using hydrating ingredients like betaine and shea butter to support your skin barrier.
- If it’s a reaction: Stop using the product and see if your skin calms down. If irritation continues after 24-48 hours, your skin may be sensitive to a specific ingredient.
Why Does Skin Purging Happen?
Your skin naturally sheds dead cells every day, but sometimes this process is slower than it should be, leading to a buildup of dry, dull skin. Certain ingredients, like niacinamide and betaine, work to restore balance by speeding up cell turnover and improving hydration levels. As a result, your skin may temporarily go through an adjustment phase where it sheds old, dry skin faster than usual.
This renewal process may lead to temporary dryness, flaking, or mild redness in certain areas, such as around the nose, mouth, or cheeks. This isn’t irritation—it’s your skin letting go of what it no longer needs.
How Long Does Skin Purging Last?
If it occurs, skin purging typically settles within 4-6 weeks. Below is a general timeline of what you might experience:
Skin Purging Progress Timeline
| Week | What’s Happening | How Your Skin Feels |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skin begins adjusting, shedding dead cells | Mild dryness, tightness, or flaking |
| 2 | Cell turnover increases | Redness in certain areas (nose, mouth, cheeks) |
| 3 | Old skin layers are replaced | Skin feels smoother, dry patches start fading |
| 4 | Skin rebalances | Hydration improves, skin looks healthier |
| 5-6 | Fully adjusted | Skin feels soft, hydrated, and radiant |
Not everyone will experience purging, but if you do, it’s a temporary step towards healthier skin.
How to Support Your Skin Through This Phase
✔ Be patient – Trust that your skin is working towards something better.
✔ Stay hydrated – Keep applying our Desert Radiance Face Cream as hydration is key as your skin undergoes this transformation.
✔ Stick to your routine – Avoid switching products; consistency is key.
✔ Use gentle ingredients – Our formula includes shea butter, betaine, and pomegranate oil, all known for their calming and hydrating properties.
✔ Protect with SPF – Your skin is renewing itself, so keeping it shielded from UV exposure is essential.
Your Skin is Resetting
Skin is simply your skin letting go of the old and making way for the new. If you experience some temporary dryness or redness, know that it’s part of your skin’s natural renewal cycle. With patience and consistency, you’ll soon notice softer, smoother, and more radiant skin.
If you have any questions, we’re always here to help. Reach out to us at info@zamy.co.uk. 💛
For further reading
Here are other articles from other skincare companies that dive into a little bit more detail:
L’Oreal:
https://www.lorealparisusa.com/beauty-magazine/skin-care/skin-care-concerns/skin-purging
Paula’s Choice:
https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/acne-and-breakouts/is-my-skin-purging-breaking-out.html
Dr Sam Bunting:
https://drsambunting.com/blogs/sam-bunting/skin-purging-what-is-it-how-to-manage-it