Have you started using a new skincare product only to notice your skin breaking out shortly afterwards?
If so, you're not alone.
One of the most common questions I'm asked is:
"Is my skin purging, or is this product making my skin worse?"
It can be incredibly frustrating when you've invested in products designed to improve your skin, only to feel like things are heading in the wrong direction.
The good news is that not every breakout means a product isn't working.
Sometimes, introducing active skincare ingredients can temporarily speed up your skin's natural renewal process, bringing congestion that was already forming beneath the surface to light more quickly. This is known as skin purging.
As someone who has personally experienced acne, perioral dermatitis and rosacea, I understand how easy it is to panic when your skin suddenly changes. Throughout my own journey, I learnt that healthy-looking skin isn't about using stronger products - it's about supporting your skin barrier, respecting your microbiome and introducing active ingredients gradually.
In this article, I'll explain what skin purging is, how to tell the difference between purging and a regular breakout, how long it usually lasts and how to support your skin while it adjusts.
What Is Skin Purging?
Skin purging is a temporary reaction that can occur when you introduce skincare products designed to increase your skin's natural cell turnover.
As these ingredients encourage older skin cells to shed more quickly, congestion that was already developing beneath the surface can appear sooner than it otherwise would have.
Rather than creating new blemishes, skin purging simply speeds up a process that was already underway.
Although it can be frustrating, skin purging is generally temporary and often settles once your skin has adjusted to the product.
What Causes Skin Purging?
Your skin naturally renews itself approximately every 28 days when you're younger, although this process slows as we age.
During this renewal cycle, dead skin cells are shed and replaced by new ones.
Active skincare ingredients that encourage skin renewal can accelerate this process, meaning blocked pores that would have appeared gradually over several weeks may all surface within a much shorter period.
This is why skin purging often appears suddenly after introducing a new active product.
Which Ingredients Can Cause Skin Purging?
Not every skincare ingredient causes purging.
Purging is most commonly associated with ingredients that encourage skin renewal.
These may include:
- Retinoids
- Bakuchiol (for some people)
- Glycolic acid
- Lactic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Polyhydroxy acids (PHAs)
- Azelaic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
Within the AMPERNA® range, customers may notice an adjustment period when introducing products such as:
- 10% Pro+ Resurfacing Lotion [EXFOLIATE]
- Pro+ Bio Resurfacing Retinol ALT [SUPERADIANCE]
- Pro+ Bio Resurfacing Retinol RX [SUPERFOLIATE]
Not everyone will experience purging, and if it does occur, it is usually temporary.
Skin Purging vs Breakouts: What's the Difference?
One of the biggest challenges is knowing whether you're experiencing a normal skin purge or whether your skin is reacting negatively to a product.
Here are some general differences.
Skin Purging
Skin purging usually:
- Starts shortly after introducing an active skincare product
- Appears in areas where you normally experience congestion
- Improves over several weeks
- Follows your normal breakout pattern
- Gradually settles as your skin adjusts
A Breakout or Skin Reaction
A regular breakout or skin reaction may:
- Appear in completely new areas
- Continue worsening over time
- Feel excessively itchy, swollen or painful
- Be accompanied by significant redness or irritation
- Occur after using products that don't increase skin cell turnover
If your skin continues worsening, becomes very uncomfortable or you're unsure what's happening, it's always best to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
How Long Does Skin Purging Last?
For most people, skin purging lasts around one skin renewal cycle.
This may be anywhere from two to six weeks, depending on:
- Your age
- Your skin type
- The ingredients you're using
- How frequently you're applying the product
Younger skin generally renews more quickly, while mature skin often takes longer to adjust.
If your breakouts continue well beyond six to eight weeks without signs of improvement, your skin may be reacting to the product rather than purging.
Can Everyone Experience Skin Purging?
No.
Some people transition into active skincare without any noticeable changes.
Others may only experience a few small blemishes, while some may notice a temporary increase in congestion before their skin settles.
Every skin microbiome is unique, which means everyone's experience will be different.
Can You Prevent Skin Purging?
While you can't always prevent purging completely, there are ways to help minimise the likelihood of overwhelming your skin.
These include:
- Introducing one new active product at a time
- Using active ingredients only a few nights each week initially
- Avoiding multiple exfoliating products together
- Maintaining a simple skincare routine
- Keeping your skin well hydrated
- Wearing SPF every morning
Patience is one of the most important parts of introducing active skincare successfully.
How To Support Your Skin During A Purge
If you believe your skin is purging, resist the temptation to completely overhaul your routine.
Instead, focus on supporting your skin barrier.
Some helpful tips include:
Simplify Your Routine
Avoid introducing multiple new products simultaneously.
A simple routine allows your skin to adjust without unnecessary stress.
Don't Over-Exfoliate
Many people assume they should exfoliate more when they notice congestion.
In reality, excessive exfoliation can compromise the skin barrier and increase irritation.
Allow your active products to do the work.
Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Hydration plays an important role in maintaining a healthy-looking skin barrier.
Choose lightweight, barrier-supporting products that help keep your skin comfortable while it adjusts.
Wear Sunscreen Daily
Freshly renewed skin can be more susceptible to environmental stressors.
Daily SPF helps protect your skin while supporting long-term skin health.
Avoid Picking
Although it can be tempting, squeezing or picking blemishes may increase the risk of prolonged healing and post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Allow your skin to heal naturally.
Should You Stop Using the Product?
If you're experiencing skin purging, it doesn't necessarily mean you should stop using the product.
In many cases, purging is simply a sign that your skin is adjusting to an ingredient that increases cell turnover. If the breakouts are mild, occurring in areas where you usually experience congestion and gradually improving, it may be worth continuing as directed.
However, if your skin becomes increasingly irritated, painful, swollen, itchy or continues to worsen beyond six to eight weeks, it may be a sign that the product isn't suitable for your skin or that you've introduced it too quickly.
When in doubt, simplify your routine and seek advice from a healthcare professional.
My Tips for Introducing Active Skincare
Throughout my own skin journey, I've learnt that consistency almost always delivers better results than intensity.
When I was struggling with acne, and later with perioral dermatitis and rosacea, I found that trying too many products at once usually left my skin feeling more reactive.
That's why I always encourage people to introduce active skincare slowly.
Give your skin time to adapt before adding another product.
Healthy-looking skin isn't built overnight. Supporting your skin barrier, respecting your skin microbiome and allowing your skin to adjust at its own pace often produces the best long-term results.
Less really can be more.
A Gentle Skincare Routine During Skin Purging
If you're introducing active skincare, keep the rest of your routine simple and barrier-focused.
Here's the routine I generally recommend.
Morning
- Ultra Gentle Soothing Cleanser [BALANCE]
- Pro+ DS Soothing Serum [RESCUE]
- Lightweight Soothing+ Emulsion [HYDRATE]
- Pro+ Bio Soothing Day Mineral CC SPF15 [HYDRAPROTECT]
This routine helps keep skin hydrated while supporting the skin barrier throughout the day.
Evening
- Ultra Gentle Soothing Cleanser [BALANCE]
- Your chosen active product (introduced gradually)
- Pro+ DS Soothing Serum [RESCUE]
- Lightweight Soothing+ Emulsion [HYDRATE]
If your skin feels particularly sensitive, allow it to settle before increasing the frequency of your active product.
Introducing Active Ingredients Gradually
If you're new to exfoliating acids or retinoids, avoid introducing multiple active products at once.
A gradual approach may look like this:
Step 1
Build a simple barrier-supporting routine using:
- Ultra Gentle Soothing Cleanser
- Probiotic+ DS Soothing Serum
- Lightweight Soothing+ Emulsion
- Pro+ Bio Soothing Day Mineral CC SPF15
Step 2
Once your skin feels comfortable and balanced, introduce one active product.
Depending on your skin goals, this may be:
- 10% Pro+ Resurfacing Lotion [EXFOLIATE] for improving the appearance of dullness and uneven texture.
- Pro+ Bio Resurfacing Retinol ALT [SUPERADIANCE] if you're new to retinol or have sensitive skin.
- Pro+ Bio Resurfacing Retinol RX [SUPERFOLIATE] if you're already comfortable using retinoids and are looking for a more advanced resurfacing step.
Begin using your chosen product one to two evenings per week before gradually increasing frequency if your skin tolerates it well.
Why Supporting Your Skin Barrier Matters
Whenever your skin is adjusting to active ingredients, maintaining a healthy skin barrier becomes even more important.
Your skin barrier helps reduce moisture loss while protecting your skin from everyday environmental stressors.
When the barrier becomes compromised, skin may feel:
- Tight
- Dry
- Sensitive
- Irritated
- More reactive
Supporting your skin barrier with gentle cleansing, hydration and microbiome-friendly skincare can help your skin remain more comfortable throughout the adjustment period.
Related reading: Skin Barrier Function: How to Repair and Care for It
Frequently Asked Questions
Is skin purging a good sign?
Not necessarily.
Skin purging simply indicates that an active ingredient may be accelerating your skin's natural renewal process. While it can occur before your skin improves, not everyone experiences purging.
Can retinol cause skin purging?
Yes.
Retinoids encourage skin cell turnover, so some people experience temporary purging when first introducing retinol into their routine.
Starting slowly can help minimise irritation.
Can glycolic acid cause skin purging?
Yes.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), including glycolic acid, may temporarily bring existing congestion to the surface more quickly as skin renews itself.
Can vitamin C cause skin purging?
Pure vitamin C itself doesn't typically cause purging because it doesn't significantly increase skin cell turnover in the same way as retinoids or exfoliating acids.
However, if a vitamin C product also contains exfoliating ingredients, some people may notice temporary changes while their skin adjusts.
How do I know if I'm purging or breaking out?
Purging generally occurs:
- After introducing an active ingredient
- In areas where you usually break out
- For a limited period before improving
A breakout or skin reaction is more likely to:
- Appear in new areas
- Continue worsening
- Be accompanied by significant irritation or discomfort
Can skin purging happen more than once?
Yes.
If you introduce another active ingredient that increases skin cell turnover, you may experience another temporary adjustment period.
Remember That Healthy Skin Takes Time
It's easy to feel discouraged when your skin doesn't improve immediately.
Social media often promotes overnight transformations, but healthy-looking skin is usually the result of consistency rather than quick fixes.
Introducing active ingredients thoughtfully, supporting your skin barrier and maintaining realistic expectations will often deliver better long-term results than constantly changing products.
Final Thoughts
Skin purging can feel frustrating, but understanding why it happens can make the experience much less overwhelming.
Throughout my own journey with acne, perioral dermatitis and rosacea, I've learnt that gentle, consistent skincare almost always outperforms aggressive routines.
That's why every AMPERNA® product is developed with our microbiome-focused philosophy in mind—supporting the skin barrier while helping you achieve healthier-looking skin over time.
If you're introducing active skincare, remember to be patient with your skin.
Healthy-looking skin isn't about perfection - it's about supporting your skin so it can function at its best.
The AMPERNA® range, developed by Kiri Yanchenko was developed to help address the gap in the market for active skin care, gentle enough for sensitive skin. Kiri pioneered for 5 years to develop the AMPERNA® range, working in conjunction with one of Australia’s most experienced skincare chemists and testing with people suffering relevant skin conditions.
The ingredients in AMPERNA® help create the perfect conditions for your skin to shine. They contain only the necessary base ingredients plus skin-changing actives, such as a probiotic complex, glycolic acid and vitamins B and C. All free from nasties, including but not limited to: sulfates, parabens, aluminium, synthetic fragrance, synthetic colours and bleaches.
If you have just started using the AMPERNA® range or are considering doing so, you may have questions on how to best introduce the products into your skincare regime. Kiri can help you tailor the products to your individual needs and welcomes any questions at info@amperna.com
For more information on the AMPERNA® brand go to amperna.com
Sources
https://labmuffin.com/purging-vs-breakouts-ditch-skincare/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/does-skin-really-purge-when-using-new-skincare-products-skelly/
https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/skin-purging-whiteheads
https://www.allure.com/story/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-breakouts-and-skin-purging
