What Is Skin Purging? (2024)

Skin purging is a reaction caused by products used to control acne. Ingredients used to lessen acne breakouts can increase the rate of skin cell turnover, which is how quickly new skin cells make it to the skin's surface.

When that happens, oil (sebum) and skin cells that are trapped in the pores are pushed to the surface and may cause small, painful bumps in the process. This article discusses the appearance, causes, and duration of skin purging.

What Does Skin Purging Look Like?

When excess cells and sebum make their way to the surface of the skin and get trapped in pores, the pores become clogged.

Most of the time, the clogs form noninflammatory blemishes, such as open and closed comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). The bumps could be accompanied by:

• Dry skin
• Peeling or flaking skin
• Irritation
• Papules (solid, cone-shaped bumps) or cysts (pimples containing fluid or pus)

They are not the same as acne breakouts, even if the result is visibly similar. They are simply a reaction to treatment, otherwise known as acne flaring.

Skin Purging vs. Breakouts

While skin purging and acne breakouts can appear similar, there are ways to tell them apart. For example, purging after using a product produces pimples that clear up much faster than breakouts.

Also, purging will likely be confined to areas where your pores are most clogged or congested. An acne breakout can happen in any area.

Ingredients in Skin Care Products Linked to Purging

Acne products contain ingredients designed to reduce the amount of oil produced by the skin. At the same time, they aim to prevent pores from becoming clogged while increasing skin cell turnover to get rid of dead skin cell buildup. They’re also designed to reduce bacteria, swelling, and redness on the skin while the breakout heals.

Skin purging is the result of a reaction to specific acne-fighting ingredients, such as:

• Topical retinoids, including tretinoin, tazarotene, adapalene, trifarotene, retinol, and retinyl palmitate
• Oral isotretinoin (formerly sold under the brand name Accutane and now sold as Absorica, Amesteem, Claravis, Myorisan, and Zenatane)
  

These products are designed to increase the rate of skin cell turnover to help prevent breakouts from occurring, but it can take up to 28 days for them to take effect.

Other acne and skin care product ingredients may produce skin irritation in the early stages of treatment, resulting in redness or itchy skin. These include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids.

Skin Purging Means Your Skin Is Improving

When the skin begins to purge and get rid of excess oil and dead skin cells, it’s preparing to clear what isn’t needed out of the body. While it goes through this process, acne and breakouts improve over time.

How Long It Lasts

The amount of time a person has to deal with skin purging will vary. When starting a new acne treatment, giving it roughly four to six weeks to take effect is essential. During this time, the skin purging will typically clear up within the first two weeks.

How to Care for Skin During a Purge

You can do several things during a purge to speed up healing. To care for your skin when trying a new acne product, you should:

• Avoid touching, picking, or popping pimples.
• Use medication on all areas affected by acne.
• Only use skin care products that don’t cause acne.
• Avoid scrubbing your face too harshly, as it can cause irritation.
• Wash your face once per day and after strenuous activities that cause your face to sweat or when your face is dirty.
• Always follow the directions for acne medication.

It’s essential to have patience while your skin is purging. The product may work for you, even if it’s causing purging to occur. You just have to give it time. Many acne products take three to four months to heal acne completely.

Summary

Skin purging occurs when you use a new acne product. It is a reaction to the chemicals used to control acne. While it does cause more bumps and spots to develop in the area being treated, it is a sign that the medication is working.

When you are going through a skin purge, it's important to avoid picking at any of the breakouts, use only gentle facial ingredients and cleansers, and follow all medication instructions. That way, you will be able to get through the purge without worsening symptoms while giving the medication time to clear up your acne.