Why do some acne products make acne worse before it gets better and how long should this "worse" period last?

The “gets worse before it gets better” phenomenon is common and can happen with every effective acne treatment. When a potent new topical acne treatment is started, the acne bacteria in the skin are destroyed. This destruction causes an increase in foreign compounds (i.e. antigens) in the skin. Our skin’s immune system then tries to removes these foreign antigens, producing more inflammation, which can result in redness, swelling, more pimples.

Therefore, if you experience some new or worsening breakouts after beginning a new topical anti-acne treatment, don’t worry! Continue using your topical treatments as advised and any new breakouts should begin to calm down within 10-14 days. At around 4 weeks you should start to see some initial improvement with significant result at 8-10 weeks. The important thing is to make sure you're using the right ingredients for your specific skin type and acne severity.

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