What Is Skin Purging?

 

Great question! “Purging” and breakouts can look similar—but they happen for different reasons and require different responses.

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🧼 What Is Skin Purging?

Purging is a temporary breakout that happens when you start using products that speed up cell turnover—like:

• Retinoids (retinol, tretinoin)

• AHAs (glycolic, lactic acid)

• BHAs (salicylic acid)

• Vitamin C (in some cases)

🧬 These ingredients push existing clogged pores and micro-breakouts to the surface faster, so it looks worse before it gets better.

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🔍 How to Spot a Purge:

Feature	Skin Purging	Regular Breakout
Cause	Increased cell turnover	Irritation, stress, diet, hormones, comedogenic ingredients
Location	Spots where you usually break out	New or unusual areas
Timing	Starts 1–2 weeks after new product	Can happen any time
Duration	Clears in 4–6 weeks if you keep using product	May worsen if you keep using the trigger
Type of breakout	Small pimples, whiteheads, blackheads	Inflamed pimples, cysts, or random breakouts

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❗ When It’s Not Purging:

• If it lasts longer than 6 weeks

• If it’s happening in new areas you never break out

• If your skin is painfully inflamed, itchy, or peeling excessively

➡️ In those cases, the product may be too harsh or wrong for your skin.

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🧴 What To Do During a Purge:

• Be patient (give it 4–6 weeks)

• Don’t add more actives—keep the rest of your routine gentle

• Use non-comedogenic moisturizers and SPF

• Avoid picking or over-cleansing