How To Tell if Your Skin Is Purging or Breaking Out

If your skin starts breaking out after introducing a new product, you may be wondering whether it's skin purging or a true breakout. Although both can cause blemishes, skin purging is a temporary response to ingredients that increase skin cell turnover, while breakouts can be triggered by a variety of factors. Here's how to tell the difference.

Key Takeaways

• Skin purging is temporary, while breakouts tend to persist. Purging typically occurs after introducing ingredients that increase skin cell turnover, such as retinoids or exfoliating acids and often improves within one skin cycle.
• Location matters. Purging usually appears in areas where you already experience congestion or blemishes. If new pimples develop in places where you do not normally break out, irritation or a true breakout may be the cause.
• Not every new product causes purging. Ingredients like retinoids, AHAs and BHAs may trigger purging because they accelerate skin renewal. Products focused on hydration, such as moisturizers or hyaluronic acid serums generally should not.

What Is Skin Purging?

Skin purging is a temporary increase in visible blemishes that can occur when certain ingredients speed up skin cell turnover, bringing existing congestion to the surface more quickly.

When you start a new skin care routine or incorporate new products into your current regimen, you may experience breakouts or skin flaking. This process is sometimes called purging. 

This is a normal, short-term condition where the skin will rid itself of underlying oil, bacteria, or dirt, according to Dr. Hooman Khorasani. Dr. Khorasani is a triple board-certified, fellowship-trained cosmetic and skin cancer surgeon based in New York. “These flare-ups usually have a shorter lifespan than your usual breakouts, which can last up to six weeks. And although purging may occur, it is not a guaranteed concern when switching products,” he says. 

Any time you use ingredients to promote cell turnover and skin peel (think: actives that shed dead skin cells to reveal fresh, younger-looking cells), there’s a good chance you’ll experience a period of purging as well! 

That’s not to say everyone will experience a purge after using an exfoliating product. All skin types are different and while some might purge more than others, it all depends on the sensitivity of the skin and what’s deep inside the pores ready to be pushed out. Before those youthful-looking cells from deeper layers of the skin become exposed, a lot of other things get pushed to the surface, causing tiny whiteheads or blackheads as well as peeling or dry, flaky skin. 

Various ingredients in a skin care routine are more responsive than others for the purging process. For example, active ingredients formulated to boost or accelerate cell turnover or exfoliate are likely to trigger a purge – chemical exfoliants like hydroxy acids are one of the most common types of ingredients behind a skin purge. After applying an active exfoliant to the skin, it loosens up the congestion deep within pores and pushes it toward the surface of the skin, causing what looks like a breakout but is actually just your skin going through a cycle. 

Another point to consider: The purging you see after starting a new skin care routine or after using active exfoliants are typically microcomedones (tiny pimples that aren’t visible to the eye) that exist below the surface of the skin and coming to the surface during accelerated cell turnover. You might also notice increased purging takes place around the oily T-zone or common areas of your breakouts, such as the nose, chin or forehead.

Skin Purging Vs. Breakouts

Understanding the difference between skin purging and a reaction-based breakout can help you determine whether a product is working as intended or causing irritation.

• Purging: Located predominantly in a defined area where you already have frequent breakouts. Skin purging also clears up much faster than a pimple or reaction.
• Reaction-based breakout: You’re getting breakouts in new areas where you don’t often get pimples. The timeline from development to breakout and subsequent healing runs much longer — about one to six weeks.

For most skin types, using acid exfoliants for the first time could lead to some level of dryness and redness in the beginning, especially if used too frequently. If you’re using products outside of this category, such as serums, toners or moisturizers that don’t contain active ingredients, and find your skin gets irritated or breaks out, your issue could be a sensitivity to a particular ingredient.

Keep in mind that there are vast differences between what causes purging and what promotes the development of acne. So, what causes acne? Factors such as hormones, oil production and bacteria are usually responsible for breakouts. It’s also a good idea to understand the five most common types of acne, how they differ from a skin purge, and how they present in different ways so you can adjust your routine. 

What To Do if Your Skin Is Purging

When your skin is going through the purging process, it’s important to maintain a routine to keep all factors consistent. While it might not be encouraging to see a skin purge for the first few weeks of a new routine, there are a few tips to incorporate into a skin care routine to help your complexion make it through this transitionary period.

Wait Long Enough To See if It Is a Purge 

While everyone’s skin type is different, it usually takes only one cycle for the most noticeable purging to be done. But it could take between four and six weeks to truly see the benefit of using any potent skin care ingredients. As they say, consistency is key!

Although individual purging flareups may clear up quickly, the whole purging process could take longer. An average skin cycle lasts about 28 days, so consider going through at least one full cycle to shed dead skin cells and get through most of the purging process before changing anything in a routine. 

Gradually incorporate active ingredients, such as acid exfoliants, into a routine that gives your skin time to adjust without experiencing a noticeable purge or reaction. The best way to start with a product is to use it two times a week then increase to three or four times over the course of a month until you’re using a product daily or as directed. 

Don’t Add Products That Dry Skin Out

When using active ingredients or exfoliants, avoid anything that will cause dryness. For some, the purging process includes eliminating excess sebum or oil, so you don’t want to over-exfoliate and cause dry, red skin.

See a Professional

As your skin begins to purge impurities from deep within its layers, we strongly recommend that you contact an Eminence Organics Spa Partner for a virtual or in-person consultation and consider booking a facial. Your esthetician can help remove excess impurities and cleanse gently to amplify the health and glow of your skin and bring out a clear and radiant complexion.  

You can also watch this video with Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar on the difference between purging vs. breaking out.

What To Do if Your Skin Is Reacting

Are you experiencing a reaction on the skin that appears to be more than a purge? Stop using any recently introduced products and return to a simple, gentle routine. If your skin begins to improve, one of the new products may be contributing to the reaction. It's also important to remember that skin irritation can sometimes be mistaken for purging. Introducing active ingredients too quickly or layering multiple exfoliating products may lead to dryness, peeling, redness, sensitivity or discomfort as the skin barrier becomes stressed. Gradually incorporating new products into your routine can help reduce the likelihood of irritation and make it easier to identify how your skin responds.

When to Stop Using a Product

If your skin develops intense redness, burning, itching or severe breakouts, your skin may be reacting to the product rather than purging. Consider discontinuing use and consulting a dermatologist or skin care professional.

One way to ensure you find the best products for your skin is to consult with a licensed professional at an Eminence Organics Spa Partner.

FAQ: Skin Purging vs. Breaking Out

Can skin purging happen with every new skin care product?

No. Skin purging is typically associated with ingredients that increase skin cell turnover, such as retinoids and exfoliating acids. Most cleansers, moisturizers and hydrating serums do not typically cause purging.

Can skin purging happen months after starting a product?

Skin purging generally begins shortly after introducing a new active ingredient. If breakouts appear several months later, another factor such as hormones, stress, lifestyle changes or a different product may be contributing to the issue.

Is skin purging more common with acne-prone skin?

People with acne-prone or congested skin may be more likely to experience purging because there is often more underlying congestion waiting to surface.

Can you prevent skin purging?

While skin purging cannot always be avoided, introducing new active ingredients gradually and following a consistent skin care routine may help your skin adjust more comfortably.

Does skin purging leave acne scars?

Skin purging itself doesn't cause acne scars but picking or squeezing your blemishes during the process can increase the risk of post-breakout marks and discoloration.

They can analyze your skin type and concerns, then provide a range of options to meet your skin care needs. To learn more about which active ingredients are right for your skin or to get in touch with an Eminence Organics Spa Partner for an in-person or virtual consultation, visit our Spa Locator.