If you’ve recently added a new skincare product to your routine and suddenly notice more breakouts than before, you might be wondering how to treat purging skin. It’s frustrating to see pimples appear after investing in products meant to clear your skin. But the good news? Purging is a temporary reaction that indicates your skincare is actively working to unclog pores and renew your skin faster.
Skin purging occurs when active ingredients like retinoids, glycolic acid, or adapalene speed up cell turnover, bringing underlying congestion to the surface. It usually lasts four to six weeks, but there are ways to minimize discomfort, reduce inflammation, and support your skin barrier during this process.
So, how can you manage purging and keep your skin healthy? Here are six expert-backed tips to help you recover faster and get through the purge phase with ease.
1. Stick to a Simple, Gentle Routine
When your skin is purging, less is more. Overloading your skin with multiple actives can exacerbate irritation, increase sensitivity, and prolong the purging phase. The best way to treat purging skin is to simplify your routine while your skin adjusts.
What Should Your Routine Look Like?
- Use a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser that won’t strip your skin.
- Apply a soothing, hydrating moisturizer to support the skin barrier.
- Never skip sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) because purging increases sun sensitivity.
Avoid introducing new exfoliants, retinoids, or strong acids while purging. This allows your skin to fully adapt to one product at a time instead of overwhelming it.
2. Reduce the Frequency of Your Active Ingredients
If purging is causing excessive breakouts or irritation, cut back on how often you use the product. Instead of applying it every day, try using it every other night or even just twice a week until your skin becomes more tolerant.
Does Adapalene Cause Purging?
Yes, adapalene (a type of retinoid) can cause purging in the first few weeks of use. Many people experience more breakouts before they see clearer skin. If adapalene is too harsh for daily application, try applying it less frequently and using a good moisturizer to buffer irritation.
The same rule applies to glycolic acid and other exfoliants. If you’re wondering how long does glycolic acid take to work, most people notice improvement in four to six weeks, but overuse can lead to excessive dryness and sensitivity.
3. Keep Your Skin Hydrated and Strengthen the Barrier
A damaged skin barrier can make purging feel worse than it should. When your skin is dry, irritated, or overly sensitive, it struggles to heal breakouts and regulate oil production, which can prolong purging.
How to Keep Your Skin Barrier Strong:
- Use a ceramide-rich moisturizer to replenish lost lipids.
- Apply a hydrating serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to reduce inflammation.
- Avoid harsh toners or alcohol-based products that can further weaken the barrier.
Staying hydrated internally is just as important. Drink plenty of water and maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins A and E to support skin health from the inside out.
4. Never Pick at or Pop Purging Pimples
It’s tempting to squeeze out whiteheads, but picking at purging pimples will only make things worse. Unlike regular breakouts, purging-related blemishes clear up faster when left alone. Picking can lead to:
- Increased inflammation and prolonged healing
- Higher risk of scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- More breakouts due to bacteria spreading
Instead of touching your skin, apply a soothing spot treatment like benzoyl peroxide or a sulfur-based mask to help dry out blemishes faster.
5. Be Patient—Purging Is Temporary
Many people ask, how long does skin purging last? The general answer is four to six weeks, which aligns with a full skin cell turnover cycle. While it might feel like your skin is getting worse, this phase will pass if you stay consistent with your routine.
How Long Does Accutane Purge Last?
For those taking Accutane (isotretinoin), purging can last longer—typically up to 12 weeks. This happens because Accutane deep-cleanses the pores and reduces oil production, leading to an initial breakout phase before clearer skin emerges.
The key to surviving purging is not to quit too soon. If your skin is purging, it means your product is actively working. However, if your breakouts last longer than six weeks or appear in new areas, you may need to re-evaluate your skincare routine.
6. Know When to Seek Professional Help
Purging is a controlled and expected reaction to active ingredients, but not all breakouts are purging. If you experience:
- Painful cystic acne that worsens over time
- Breakouts in areas where you don’t usually get acne
- Severe peeling, redness, or burning
- Purging lasting beyond six weeks without improvement
It may not be purging—it could be a bad reaction, sensitivity, or an underlying skin condition. In this case, consulting a dermatologist is the best course of action. They can assess whether you need a lower-strength product, a different active ingredient, or prescription skincare to address your skin concerns safely. Is skin purging good? Well it all depends on your approach!
Conclusion
If you’re struggling with purging, remember that this is a temporary phase that leads to healthier skin. Learning how to prevent purging properly can make the experience less frustrating and more manageable.
The key to handling purging is sticking to a simple, hydrating routine, reducing product frequency if needed, and resisting the urge to pick at your skin. While purging can be annoying, it usually resolves within four to six weeks—and if it doesn’t, seeking professional advice is the next best step.
Patience is crucial, but if you follow these expert-backed tips, you’ll get through the purging phase faster and enjoy the clear, glowing skin you’ve been working towards.
