“The term 'skin purging' refers to a reaction to an active ingredient that is increasing skin cell turnover rate,” Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson, a board-certified dermatologist, tells Healthline. As skin cell turnover speeds up, the skin starts shedding dead skin cells faster than normal.
Skin purging typically looks like tiny red bumps on the skin that are painful to touch. They are often accompanied by whiteheads or blackheads. It can also cause your skin to become flaky. The flare ups caused by purging have a shorter lifespan than a breakout.
“Purging is neither good nor bad. It can happen after using excellent products but, equally, it also frequently occurs when the skin barrier is compromised prior to starting with a product or treatment.
Skin purging occurs when you start using a new product that contains chemical exfoliants such as alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, and retinoids, all of which speed up the rate of skin cell turnover (the rate at which you shed dead skin cells and replace them with new cells), says Dr.
"When doing a lot of extractions to clear out bumps, sometimes not all of the lodged oil will come out and because we don't force anything that doesn't want to come out, some purging can occur a day or two after a facial as the pore does its own self-cleaning," explains Rouleau.
Be patient for one skin cycle, or about 28 days
Generally speaking, dermatologists say purging should be over within four to six weeks of starting a new skin care regimen. If your purge lasts longer than six weeks, consult your dermatologist.
Purging pimples do not leave marks or blemishes on your skin. It actually heals the skin to form fresher skin cells. Breakouts don't benefit the skin; they leave marks and blemishes when they go. The cell turnover is faster to remove dead cells.
Purging is a sign that the product is working and you should continue with the treatment as prescribed. After a few weeks of purging, your skin and acne will have noticeably improved. Breaking out is when your skin is reacting because it is sensitive to something in the new product.
Rather than being a reaction to a product, purging is an indication that the product is speeding up that process of skin cell turnover. Again, in comparison to the red irritated pimples of breakouts, purging takes form in blackheads and flesh-colored bumps on the skin.
How long does it take for skin to purge? Unfortunately, purging can be a lengthy process and it can take up to three or so months before results start to show, especially if the treatment is an acne medicated treatment.
The good news is a purge typically passes more quickly than a traditional breakout. The reason being, your skin is already beginning to turn over -- a process that generally takes 28 days.
Additionally, if you experience any itchiness, redness, burning or pain immediately after applying a new product, these are clear signs you're experiencing an allergic reaction and it's best to wash it off carefully and stop using it altogether.
Acids, vitamin C serums and retinoids can all cause purging.
These “can cause an increase in skin cell turnover which can lead to purging—a breakout of spots in areas where you would normally get acne. However, hyaluronic acid does not increase skin cell turnover; it's purely a hydrating skincare ingredient.”
This is how inflammation occurs and why pimples are often red, swollen and pus-filled. This means that acne from skin purging can materialise as pustules, whiteheads, blackhead or cysts. But remember, skin purging pimples last only a short period of time so like, there is a silver lining.
Purging may cause skin to dry out or become scaly, rough, pale, and more likely to bruise or scar. Cheeks and other parts of the face can also become swollen. If fingers are used to induce vomiting, there could be permanent scarring or calluses from the teeth or stomach acid.
“Because purging is thought to be due to increased cell turnover, it's really going to bring preexisting microcomedones [small clogged hair particles] to the surface and will potentially turn into whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, and cysts,” Dr. Shah explains.
rinse your mouth with a non-acidic mouthwash. make sure you see your dentist regularly. do not drink or eat acidic foods, such as fruit juice, during a binge and after purging. do not smoke.
When you first stop purging, you may experience negative side effects like bloating that lead you to believe you're gaining weight. In reality, most of this weight gain is due to water retention, since vomiting can dehydrate you and your body feels the need to compensate.
In fact, excessive use of humectants, like hyaluronic acid, can worsen dry skin conditions. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) explains that, when your skin becomes dry, it actually produces more oil, which can lead to breakouts.
Though some people do report experiencing irritation and breakouts after using the ingredient, niacinamide is unlikely to cause purging. That's because it doesn't affect the skin in a way that usually triggers purging.