What Is Skin Purging?
You might purge your fridge (or your closet) a few times a month. But did you know your skin can purge, too? This can happen when an active ingredient in a skin product causes your skin to push out (purge) old cells quickly. This process can make your skin break out and look worse before it starts to look better. Think of your closet purge about halfway through. It often looks like a mess before everything starts to get organized. Skin purging is a non-medical term for this process.
What Skin Purging Looks Like
Skin purging looks a lot like acne, but they are not the same. Skin purging may have many of the skin issues of acne, but it’s the storm before the calm, versus the other way around.
Symptoms of skin purging include
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Pimples
- Blemishes that last for about four to six weeks
- Breakouts in areas normal for you
- Dry, flaky skin and peeling
- Tender skin
Skin purging vs. breakouts
It might be hard to know if your skin is purging or breaking out. But knowing the difference can be key to getting the right treatment. So how do you know?
- Purging starts shortly after using a new skin product or treatment.
- Breaking out is triggered by several factors – stress, hormones, certain foods, or an allergic reaction.
- Purging (over a few weeks) should make blemishes like whiteheads and blackheads disappear.
- Breaking out brings whiteheads and blackheads to the surface.
- Purging has bumps in places you normally break out, say your chin and forehead.
- Acne or breakouts show up in new places.
“One of the best ways to know if it’s skin purging or a breakout is to note if you’ve started using a new skin care product,” says Leslie Baumann, MD, a dermatologist in Miami. “Certain products speed up the cell cycle and can cause purging. If you haven’t used a new product, it’s likely a breakout.”
What Causes Skin Purging?
Any skin care products or treatments that remove dead skin cells or unclog pores can trigger skin purging. Exfoliants, retinoids, and some acne medications work by speeding up the skin renewal process that leads to purging.
Products for the following skin conditions often have active ingredients that lead to purging.
- Acne
- Wrinkles
- Skin aging
- Uneven skin tone
Some skin products (like vitamin C, antioxidants, and peptides) shouldn’t cause purging.
Retinol purging
Retinol is a form of vitamin A used in some skin care products. Your doctor may give you a prescription for it, or you can buy it over the counter at a lower dosage (strength). You apply retinol on your skin as a cream, lotion, serum, gel, or ointment.
Retinol helps unclog pores, exfoliate skin, even out skin tone, and help with premature aging. Retinol fast tracks the process of getting clogged bacteria and oil out of your skin, which can lead to purging.
Tretinoin purging
Tretinoin is a stronger retinoid available by prescription only. Dermatologists have used it to treat acne, premature aging, and sun damage for decades. The stronger the ingredient to purge the bad stuff out of your skin, the faster you may see skin purging. Some studies suggest tretinoin can enter the bloodstream, so check with your doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
How to Deal With Skin Purging
While your skin is purging, it’s important to be patient with yourself and gentle with your skin.
- Keep your skin hydrated.
- Drink lots of water.
- Avoid products that may irritate your skin (sulfate-free products and fragrances).
- Use non-comedogenic products. These have ingredients that won’t clog your pores.
- Try not to touch your face or pick at blemishes.
Signs you need to stop using a product
Skin purging is often a sign that a new skin product or treatment is working. Most experts suggest you keep using the product to give it time to work – with a few exceptions. You should stop using the product and contact your doctor under the following scenarios:
- Severe irritation or discomfort
- Pain or swelling
- Your skin is getting worse, not better, after several weeks.
- Itching (often a sign of an allergic reaction)
Takeaways
Skin purging can look like acne, but they are not the same. Skin purging happens when your skin is introduced to a new product or treatment.
It can take weeks for your skin to purge and improve.
Using gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen can help the process.
Skin Purging FAQs
How long does skin purging usually last?
Skin purging normally lasts a few weeks. It takes about 75 days for your skin to turn over new cells. The timing may depend on other factors like your age, health, diet, and the type of skin products.
How do you fix skin purging?
Doctors recommend starting slowly with a new skin product or treatment to allow your skin to adjust. This may lessen skin purging. If you’re in the middle of it, treat your skin kindly by using gentle cleansers, a good moisturizer, and a mineral sunscreen with at least 8% zinc oxide and SPF 30. Talk to your doctor about products they can give you to relieve some of the symptoms of purging.
Can a moisturizer cause purging?
If your moisturizer has active ingredients like retinoids, salicylic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, then yes. These ingredients increase cell turnover, which can lead to skin purging.
Should I continue my acne treatment if my skin is purging?
If you don’t see results right away, don’t worry. Skin purging typically lasts for a few weeks as your skin adjusts to the new product or treatment. If your skin isn’t improving in about six weeks, or if you have any signs of an allergic reaction, contact your doctor right away.
Does eating healthy purge your skin?
Skin purging comes from a new product or treatment. Acne, on the other hand, is caused by factors like clogged pores and bacteria, inflammation, and hormones. Recent studies have shown a connection between high-fat and high-sugar foods and acne. If food has triggered your acne and you try new skin products for relief, then you may have some purging.
Can I use makeup during the skin purging phase?
Yes! Be sure to use products that are noncomedogenic (ingredients that won’t clog your pores). Also, make time to remove all of your makeup at the end of your day. These steps will help your skin continue the purging process and decrease irritation.
Does skin purging leave scars?
While the purging process itself may not leave scars, some bad habits can. Try not to touch your face a lot, pick or squeeze areas that are purging, or peel flaky skin. Any of these habits can lead to scarring or more breakouts. Remember, your skin is sensitive during this process, so be kind to it.
Is skin purging good?
Skin purging is just that – a cycle that allows your skin to ditch impurities and rebuild newer, healthier skin cells. While the process is not always pretty, the other side of it should leave your skin looking and feeling better than before.
That said, skin purging is not a means to an end. “The key to avoiding purging is to start with a low-strength skin product with retinoid and avoid using hydroxy acids and other exfoliants at the same time,” says Baumann. “In general, the more exfoliating products you use, versus allowing the skin to do it naturally, the more purging you’ll experience.”
Are pimples toxins leaving the body?
Toxins like pollution and smoke can get into your skin, but the process to get them out varies. While your skin is an organ –the largest one – it does not remove toxins like your liver or kidneys. When prompted with products, treatments, or even exercise, dirt and other bacteria can be expelled from the skin. When this happens, pimples can form.
Is it normal for skin to get worse before it gets better?
Sometimes, your skin will look worse before it gets better as in the case of purging. But it doesn’t always have to. Adjusting the strength of your skin product, working closely with your dermatologist, and following a gentle skin care routine may help.
