So you have been using a new acne regimen for about a week and your skin now looks amazing, right? Wrong. In fact it is highly likely that you are even more broken out!

It is about this time that many people would once again switch products. Believe it or not, that is one of the worst things that you can do to your skin during this crucial time in the healing process. It is important to understand how the skin works, as well as how acne products work to solve the problem of acneic skin.

Skin naturally exfoliates itself every 28-50 days, depending on your age, skin type and skin health (the condition that your skin is in). Acne products contain ingredients that speed up cellular turnover, as well as anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Each time that you start a new line of products for acne-prone skin, they rapidly accelerate the exfoliation process. That means that all of the soon-to-be-breakouts lurking beneath the surface of your skin are likely to appear during those first few weeks. These breakouts are not occurring because of the new acne products – they were actually there before you even purchased your new regime. They have just (much to your dismay) chosen to show up a bit sooner due to the rapid exfoliation of skin that is occurring.

The good new: the situation will get better. It normally takes 7-14 days for the skin to purge the toxins lying beneath the surface. After that, your acne products can begin to do their job of helping your skin heal while keeping new breakouts from forming.

Common Acne-fighting ingredients include:

Glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids- These ingredients work by breaking down keratinized skin cells on the surface layer to allow them to shed. This process also tells your skin that it is time to make new skin cells. Acne products containing these ingredients are DERMAdoctor Wrinkle Revenge antioxidant enhanced glycolic acid facial cleanser  and glotherapeutics gloRenew Serum.

Retinol- Retinol helps to increase collagen production, creating new skin cells rapidly and forcing old cells on the skin’s surface to shed. Retinols are very potent and can often cause flaking for several weeks after you begin using them. This is necessary though to allow the “bad” skin to be eliminated so that new skin can be pushed to the surface over time. Examples of Retinols are DERMAdoctor Poetry In Lotion and Afirm 3X.

Sulfur- Sulfur is one of the oldest acne treatments on the market. When used topically, sulfur promotes the quick shedding of dead, keratinized skin cells. This helps to minimize skin oiliness and prevent pores from becoming blocked. Products containing sulfur include DERMAdoctor Ain’t Misbehavin’ intensive skin-correcting sulfur acne mask with phytosphingosine and Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot and Area Treatment.

If you have recently started a new acne regimen containing one or more of these ingredients, try and stick with it for at least 8 weeks before deciding whether or not it is working for you. Your skin will thank you in the long run!