Is it normal to break out after using glycolic acid?

Author: Rubye Sipes  |  Last update: Saturday, May 31, 2025

Why does Glycolic Acid cause skin purging? Glycolic Acid boosts the cell renewal process—meaning it effectively sheds off dead skin cells—promoting the growth of new skin cells. As the new skin emerges to the surface, excess sebum and dead cells are also pushed to the surface—resulting in acne-like bumps.

Why am I breaking out after using glycolic acid?

Skin Purging 101

The most common offenders are Retinoids and accelerating acids like Glycolic, Lactic and Salicylic. Basically, these compounds speed up exfoliation, which can bring underlying congestion to the skin's surface all at once – not exactly a good look or feel, right?

How long does glycolic purging last?

Skin purging is said to last 4-6 weeks, however, everyone's skin is different (2). This is only temporary and will eventually subside as your skin adjusts to the new treatment. In the meantime, it is important to cleanse gently and avoid picking at your skin, as this can cause further irritation.

How to know if glycolic acid is working?

Signs that glycolic acid is working include smoother skin texture, fewer breakouts, and a more even skin tone. Some people may also notice a light tingling sensation on application, which is normal.

How long does glycolic acid acne last?

How Long Does It Take For Glycolic Acid To Work? It can vary. Some products will give you results almost instantly or overnight however, most products will take a few uses to really see the true results. After about a month, you should notice clearer skin as glycolic acid works to keep skin clean and decongested.

Is Your Skin Purging or Just Breaking Out? Dermatologist Explains | Dr. Sam Ellis

When should I stop using glycolic acid?

It is OK to use 1-2% containing glycolic acid face wash or ointments daily. The creams have a higher glycolic acid content (10% and above) and must only be used once or twice a week to avoid skin irritation. The creams with a concentration above 15% may need to be kept only for a few minutes and then wiped off.

Should you take a break from glycolic acid?

It might take some time to build up your tolerance to glycolic acid, so if you're new, go slow at first, Dr. King suggests. She recommends taking an approach that's similar to skin cycling: Use your glycolic acid product once or twice a week to give your skin time to rest between applications.

Do you apply glycolic acid on wet or dry skin?

As part of the Treat step, the Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner would be applied after cleansing to dry skin. We would recommend using a gentle cleanser without any strong actives such as our Glucoside Foaming Cleanser.

What happens if you use too much glycolic acid on face?

However, as with all chemical exfoliants, using glycolic acid too frequently, at too high a concentration, or incorrectly can result in skin irritation or damage.

What do purging pimples look like?

Appearance. Acne purging and breakouts can look similar at first glance, with increased red bumps and pimples. However, purging tends to cause uniform congestion, affecting the entire area where you applied the new treatment. Breakouts often appear more sporadic in your usual problem spots.

What to expect after using glycolic acid?

You may experience some minor side effects, including: A mild stinging sensation during the treatment. Flaking skin or dryness for 7-10 days following the peel. Temporary redness, this may last several weeks.

Why am I getting more pimples after using salicylic acid?

1 Known as "skin purging," worsening acne is a short-term reaction to ingredients that speed up cell turnover. Salicylic acid helps your body quickly get rid of dead skin cells. As a result, those dead skin cells, dirt, and oils appear on the surface of your skin, which clogs your pores and causes acne.

How do you calm your skin after glycolic acid?

Below are a number of glycolic acid peel after care tips that may be useful for you.
  1. Stay away from too much sunlight exposure. ...
  2. Keep your face moisturised. ...
  3. Keep your face cool. ...
  4. Further glycolic acid peel aftercare advice.

How to stop skin purging immediately?

If the skin purging stage is really troublesome, it can be helpful to decrease the frequency of your actives by alternating days of use. Stick with it - in time, things will likely improve. When the frequency of new spots starts to reduce, increase the frequency of your actives again.

What to avoid when using glycolic acid?

If you're using Glycolic Acid, be wary of throwing the kitchen sink at your skin by layering it with too many other active ingredients – ideally, Vitamin C and Retinol should be applied at a different time to Glycolic Acid rather than one after the other.

Should you moisturize right after glycolic acid?

Always moisturize after use.

Glycolic acid exfoliates and hydrates the skin, but it can irritate or dry out sensitive skin. Always follow your glycolic acid application with an additional light moisturizer to reduce the effects of dryness and irritation on the skin.

Does water cancel glycolic acid?

Does damp skin or your water-based skincare products “deactivate” glycolic acid? No. This is a response to @drcharlesmd who has claimed several times that this is the case, and that you're wasting your money if you put glycolic acid on damp skin or in combination with water-based skincare.

What are the side effects of glycolic acid on the face?

Common side effects of Glycolic Acid include dry skin, erythema (skin redness), burning sensation, itching, skin irritation, and skin rash. Glycolic Acid can make the skin more sensitive in the sunlight, hence always use sunscreen and protective clothing before you step outdoors.

Is it normal to breakout after starting glycolic acid?

A 2020 study found that glycolic and salicylic acids—two common chemical exfoliators—caused acne flares in around 7% of participants, for example, despite the fact that these ingredients have been shown to improve breakouts in the long term.

How do you know if glycolic acid is not working?

Here's Why. The best way to tell if you're getting the full benefits of glycolic acid is by trying it on your skin. If you FEEL The Trustworthy Tingle, you know it's working as it should.

Is it bad to use glycolic acid every day?

Glycolic Acid, especially in high-strength solutions, can irritate the skin. If you have sensitive skin, a low-strength glycolic acid treatment can be added to your skincare routine. However, you should introduce them gradually, utilizing them just once or twice a week.

Can I use glycolic acid on popped pimples?

If this occurs, try adding a chemical exfoliant with glycolic acid in it to your routine, which will promote cell turnover and help prevent additional blemishes from forming.

How long does it take for glycolic acid to clear acne?

After about a month, you should notice clearer skin as glycolic acid works to keep skin clean and decongested. Two months in, you should see that dark spots and pigmentation is reduced as the regular glycolic acid application is melting away old, dead skin cells and increasing cell turnover.

How to get rid of back acne with glycolic acid?

For the back, consider using a chemical exfoliant containing glycolic or lactic acid once or twice a week. Chemical exfoliants are typically more suitable for sensitive skin compared to physical exfoliants, as they are less abrasive and reduce the risk of irritation.

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