TL;DR: Benzoyl peroxide is known to commonly cause something known as purging, where things get worse before they get better. It’s totally normal and usually clears up after a few weeks.
So, you buy some PanOxyl acne foaming wash for your breakouts, you use it and your zits seem to get worse. Not exactly the start you were looking for, right? Well, it’s a common predicament to find yourself in, and it’s totally normal. It’s not a reason for you to start doubting your purchase, as it’s really just an indication that it’s working.
It’s natural to expect a problem to get better right after applying a product, but given the way your skin works, it’s never quite that simple. Keep reading and we’ll fill you in.
PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash Often Causes ‘Purging’
Ok, so let’s set the record straight – yes PanOxyl acne foaming wash can make your acne get worse….but only to start with. When things get worse after using a BP wash, it’s usually because of something called purging. You see, benzoyl peroxide makes your skin’s cells turnover faster, which brings any congestion sitting under your skin to the surface.
Those clogged pores that were eventually going to become pimples all show up at once instead of trickling out slowly over the next month. The biggest indicator is when it happens, because it’s directly after a new wash, it’s mostly like what’s happening.
Your first instinct is probably to stop using it, but purging and a genuine bad reaction require completely different responses, so knowing which one you’re dealing with makes all the difference.
With purging, you’ll notice:
- Breakouts showing up in your usual areas – chin, forehead, wherever you normally get acne
- Pimples that come up quickly but also heal faster than your typical breakouts
- Things start improving after 2-4 weeks, sometimes taking up to 6 weeks
If your skin can’t tolerate the benzoyl peroxide, you’ll know. It’ll feel excessively tight, dry, or irritated beyond normal adjustment to a new product. It might burn or sting when you apply it, or you’ll see significant peeling and redness that doesn’t settle down after a week or two.
This isn’t dangerous, but it does mean the concentration is too strong for your skin. You’ll need to scale back to every other day or switch to a lower percentage like 4% if you’re using a 10% product.
Keep the Faith With PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash
If you’re having issues after using any acne foaming wash, it’s important to keep the faith. Purging can be quite persuasive in making people stop using it when their breakouts get worse, but when you know it’s all part of the process, you’ll know to keep on going. If the zits you’re getting are in the usual areas and they only hang around a few days, carry on.
However, if you’re getting tight, angry skin or zits appearing in places you don’t normally get them, it could point towards a reaction and then you should maybe back off and give your skin a bit of time to recover. Purging is temporary, but it means the product is working. Get through the first month and you’ll be well on your way to clearer skin.
