Skin Purging or Breakout?

You will likely encounter a few disappointments as you explore new skincare products to incorporate into your daily routine. Some exfoliants may prove too harsh, leaving your skin dry, flaky, and acne-prone. Even a retinol serum you had high hopes for might unexpectedly trigger breakouts and pimples.

This experience is more common than you might think if you have sensitive skin. Despite their nourishing and effective ingredients, many skincare products can initially lead to breakouts, irritation, and inflammation. It's all part of the process!

What you're experiencing is known as "skin purging." We're here to guide you through what this entails and how it differs from a regular breakout.

What is Skin Purging?

Think of it as your skin's way of saying "no" to a new product you added to your routine. If you start to notice clusters of pimples, blemishes, and whiteheads on your skin soon after adding a new product to your routine, it's safe to say you know who the culprit is. These reactions are your skin's way of "purging" a new product and the ingredients added into a formula. 

This is common with ingredients that lean on the harsher side, like retinol, vitamin A, and salicylic acid, acne-fighting ingredients that eliminate dirt, grime, and oil from your pores. While these ingredients work to pull these common irritants from your pores and to the skin's surface, they can cause unnecessary breakouts and blemishes. 

How to Tell the Difference Between Skin Purging and Breaking Out

The truth is that skin purging is a normal part of the process. Strong acne-fighting ingredients can temporarily disrupt your skin barrier. This process shouldn't last more than a week or two, and eventually, the acne will clear up, and the ingredients will do their job. 

When it comes to skin purging vs. breakouts, there are a few differences you'll want to know:

Purging happens roughly two to four weeks after introducing a new product into your routine. It will impact the parts of your face when you apply the product and can last anywhere from 4-6 weeks. The whole process happens relatively quickly and within a contained period. 

Skin purging is a temporary reaction, while acne breakouts are recurring and can happen at any time. Acne breakouts are often persistent and troubling and can last extended periods. In addition, breakouts may not completely clear until you get to the root of the problem. 

Purging will happen wherever you apply your skincare product, whereas acne breakouts typically occur in your T-zone or other body parts.

Common Ingredients to Cause Skin Purging

Ingredients that promote cell turnover can cause skin purging by aiding in the emergence of new skin while removing dead skin or keratin. Common ingredients that can accelerate cell turnover include:

Retinol is the ultimate anti-aging solution and remains a favored option for those with acne-prone skin. Renowned for its natural capacity to boost collagen production and enhance cellular turnover, retinol is also cherished and employed to address fine lines, wrinkles, and other manifestations of premature aging.

AHAs are one of the most commonly used acne-fighting ingredients found in exfoliants. It's great for unclogging pores, eliminating hyperpigmentation, and exfoliating the skin. 

Azelaic acid is commonly recommended for individuals with sensitive skin. It's gentler than AHA but still leads to skin purging. 

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can help eliminate dark spots, protect the skin from sun damage, and increase cell turnover. 

Physical exfoliants aren't typically recommended for sensitive or acne-prone skin. They tend to be harsher and can cause unnecessary redness and irritation. These exfoliants aim to unclog pores and stimulate cell turnover, causing your skin to purge after consistent use. 

Treatment for Skin Purging

If you're struggling with skin purging, remember it's a temporary part of the process. If the process is getting in the way of your confidence and complexion, here's what you can do:

While this is easier said than done, skin purging proves your skincare routine works. The breakouts and inflammation should clear up within at least 4-8 weeks. However, if it's still persistent and not clearing up, you should speak to your dermatologist about other options to treat your sensitive skin. 

Did you know acne-fighting ingredients like retinol can actually cause sun sensitivities? To protect your skin from unwanted sun damage, you'll want to incorporate a daily sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher into your daytime routine.

Skin purging can sometimes cause dryness and unnecessary redness. A daily moisturizer will keep your skin moisturized, healthy and balanced. We recommend trying The Ultimate Soothing Cream, our non-comedogenic soothing face cream with Vitamin B3, B5, and primrose oil. Throughout our 12-week user trials, 98% of participants reported that their irritated skin appeared less red and inflamed, while 100% noted that their skin felt profoundly hydrated.

Not all skincare is created equal. While many ingredients can cause skin purging, there may also be irritants and alcohol in the formula that could cause additional dryness and irritation. You'll want to avoid parabens, SLS, SLES, alcohol, and phthalates. If you have sensitive and acne-prone skin, avoiding comedogenic ingredients is best since they can clog your pores and cause additional irritation. 

Physical exfoliants are excessively rough on the skin. A gentle chemical exfoliant can get the same results without damaging your skin barrier or causing excessive irritation.  The Essence is our 3-in-1 gentle exfoliant, toner, and hydrating essence formulated to help reveal smooth, radiant skin while improving skin tone and texture. In our 12-week user trials, 84% of participants agreed that their skin felt balanced and soothed, while 94% reported experiencing spotless and rejuvenated skin.

Can You Prevent Skin Purging?

One of the best ways to prevent skin purging is to introduce new products into your everyday routine slowly. Instead of using a new retinol serum every day as part of your nighttime routine, consider starting with two days a week and slowly working your way up to seven. This is a great way to introduce active ingredients into your skincare routine without disrupting your skin barrier. 

You can also consider the skin cycling method. This four-day cycle switches between a retinol and an exfoliant the first two days. For the second two days, you give your skin a break. This approach lets your skin breathe and fully experience the benefits of the ingredients you include in your routine. It's an ideal choice for individuals with sensitive skin who want to experience the benefits of these stronger products.

Achieve Smoother, Softer Skin With Augustinus Bader 

At Augusitnus Bader, all our skincare products are formulated without irritants or fragrances, so you can build a clean yet effective skincare routine that delivers results. For over 30+ years, we have been fine-tuning our approach to skincare, helping individuals treat their troubling skin concerns and reveal visually healthier, better-looking skin. 

Explore our skincare selection today.