What products can cause purging?

Only products that speed up cell turnover: retinoids, AHA, BHA, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C. Moisturizers or cleansers should NOT cause purging!

How long is normal purging?

4-6 weeks (one skin cycle). If it's longer than that and there's no improvement, it's likely a breakout and the product doesn't suit you.

Should I keep using the product during purging?

If you're sure it's purging (in the usual area, same shape, overall improvement), continue. But if you're in doubt or it's very severe, better pause and consult a dermatologist.

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🔄

Purging vs Breakout

Just started a new product and got acne? It could be purging (a sign the product is working) or a breakout (the product doesn't suit you). Distinguishing between the two is super important so you know whether to continue or stop!

Origin: A concept that went viral because many people are confused about the difference between purging and breakouts when starting active ingredients

🔍 How It Works

1PURGING: The product speeds up cell turnover, so acne 'hiding' under the skin surfaces faster
2BREAKOUT: The product doesn't suit you and causes a negative reaction (clogged pores, irritation, etc.)
3Purging happens because actives like retinol, AHA, BHA, and vitamin C accelerate skin renewal
4Breakouts happen because of comedogenic or irritating ingredients

✨ Benefits

✓Knowing if a product is working or not
✓Not wasting products that are actually good
✓Not continuing to use products that damage your skin
✓Being more patient in your skincare journey

✅ Good for

•Those just starting to use retinol, AHA, BHA, or vitamin C
•Those who are often confused why acne appears after using new products

⚠️ Be careful if

•This concept is to be understood, not avoided

📖 How To Do It

PURGING usually: appears in areas where you usually get acne, looks like your usual acne, disappears in 4-6 weeks, skin is overall improving

BREAKOUT usually: appears in areas where you don't usually get acne, looks different (worse, cystic), gets worse over time, skin is overall worsening

Note the timeline and location of acne to track

If in doubt, stop the product for 2 weeks and see if it improves

💡 Tips from Peelsy

•Only products with certain actives can cause purging
•Moisturizers, cleansers, or sunscreens should NOT cause purging
•Purging lasts max 4-6 weeks. More than that = breakout
•Document with photos to track progress
•If acne is cystic or very painful, better stop and consult

❌ Common Mistakes

✗Assuming all acne is purging
✗Continuing to use products that cause breakouts because you think it's 'purging'
✗Being impatient and stopping a product that was only purging
✗Using too many actives at once (confusing what the cause is)

Fun Fact: Purging happens because active ingredients speed up the process that should take 28 days (skin cycle) to happen faster. So technically, the acne was going to appear anyway - it's just being accelerated! ⏰

Frequently Asked Questions

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Related Terms

🛡️Skin Barrier 🔄Skin Cycling

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