Is Your Skin Purging or Reacting? How to Tell the Difference and What to Do
Understanding Skin Purging: What It Is, Why It Happens & What to Do About It
If you’ve recently started a new active skincare routine and noticed your skin seems to be getting worse, you might be experiencing purging.
Although it can be frustrating, purging is often a normal and temporary part of the skin renewal process. In this blog, we’ll break down what purging is, how to tell it apart from breakouts or allergic reactions, how long it lasts, and how to manage it effectively.
What Is Skin Purging?
Skin purging refers to a short-term flare-up that can occur when active ingredients accelerate your skin’s natural turnover cycle. As dead skin cells shed more quickly, any congestion lurking beneath the surface is brought up faster, resulting in breakouts, bumps, or mild peeling.
This process can be alarming, but it’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s often a sign that your skincare is stimulating cell renewal, which is essential for clearer, healthier skin in the long run.
What Causes Purging?
Purging is most commonly triggered by actives that speed up cell turnover, including:
Retinoids (retinol, retinal, tretinoin)
AHAs (like glycolic or lactic acid)
BHAs (like salicylic acid)
Vitamin C
Exfoliating enzymes
Benzoyl peroxide (often found in spot treatments)
These ingredients are powerful tools for targeting acne, pigmentation, dullness, and fine lines, but they may initially bring underlying congestion to the surface faster than usual.
Purging vs Breakouts vs Allergic Reactions: How to Tell the Difference
Not every breakout is a purge, and not every skin reaction is normal. Here’s how to recognise the difference:
1. Purging
Cause: A new active that increases skin cell turnover (e.g. retinoids, acids)
Where: Appears in areas where you usually break out
When: Starts within the first 2–4 weeks of introducing the product
Looks like: Small pimples, whiteheads, mild flaking or dryness
Other signs: Should improve after one full skin cycle (around 4–6 weeks)
2. Breakouts
Cause: Hormonal changes, clogged pores, stress, unsuitable products
Where: Can appear in new or random areas
When: Can happen any time, not necessarily linked to a new product
Looks like: Red pimples, blackheads, or cysts
Other signs: Doesn’t follow a predictable timeline and may worsen if not addressed
3. Allergic Reactions
Cause: Sensitivity to a product or ingredient
Where: Can occur anywhere on the face (or body) and often spreads quickly
When: Usually develops suddenly—within 24–48 hours of application
Looks like: Redness, hives, swelling, or a bumpy rash
Other signs: May sting, burn, feel hot to the touch, or itch. This is not a purge and needs to be stopped immediately
How Long Does Purging Last?
Purging usually lasts around 2 to 6 weeks, depending on your skin type and the strength of the active. That’s roughly one full skin cycle.
It should gradually improve as your skin adjusts. If you’re seeing no improvement, or things are getting worse, it’s best to speak to a professional.
How to Manage Purging (Without Making It Worse)
While purging is temporary, how you treat your skin during this time matters:
✅ Do:
Stick to your routine (unless irritation is severe)
Support your barrier with nourishing, non-stripping products
Moisturise generously
Wear SPF daily to protect your skin
Introduce actives slowly: start 1–2x per week and build up
Book a professional consultation to ensure you’re on the right track
❌ Don’t:
Over-exfoliate or layer multiple new actives
Pick, squeeze or scrub purging spots
Assume “more is better” when it comes to actives
Ignore signs of a true allergic reaction
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’re not sure whether your skin is purging or reacting, or you just want reassurance that you’re using the right products for your skin type, it’s worth getting expert advice.
Don’t guess. Get expert guidance.
Book a consultation with Dr. Brian today and take the guesswork out of skincare.
