The skin purging period is unpredictable. Flares are seen within 1-4 weeks of beginning your skincare routine, and typically last between 2-8 weeks.
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 long will it last? Because purging occurs with a change of skincare regime, it should only take one full skin cycle to get through the worst of it. On average a skin cycle is 5-6 weeks. At the age of 19-21,the process can take 14-21 days compared to a middle-aged adult where it is estimated to be 28 days.
The purging process is working with the skin's cycle and is a phase that should clear up within 4-6 weeks of starting the new routine but can take up to 3 months - anything longer could be more of a reaction.
“It is important not to be aggressive when you see purging, and understand it can be part and parcel of getting the best results for your skin. When it occurs treat the skin gently – don't try and pick or exfoliate away the papules because that could actually make things worse.
How to treat your skin when it is purging. During this turbulent time for your skin, it is important to be kind to it. Stick to a gentle and basic skin care routine to avoid further inflammation; a gentle cleanser, a soothing hydrating moisturiser, and sunscreen during the day.
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.
If anything in skin care embodies the phrase “it gets worse before it gets better” it's skin purging. But once you arrive at that “better” stage, it is the absolute best. Although it may not feel like it now, skin purging is a sign of fantastic things to come—namely, stunning long-term skin health.
Niacinamide skincare products can sometimes cause breakouts in people who are acne-prone. If you start to experience more breakouts while using niacinamide products, discontinue use immediately.
Dr. Beth McLellan recommends sticking with a product that is known to cause purging but not breakouts, such as a leave-on exfoliant that contains 1–2% salicylic acid. Over time, the blackheads and bumps should improve. If they don't you may need to add prescription or over-the-counter acne products to your regimen (6).
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.
“Retinol purging is a temporary side effect; if possible, continue to use your retinol as directed.”
If you've recently started using a product containing retinoids or chemical exfoliants such as glycolic or salicylic acid, there's a good chance your skin is feeling the purge. These ingredients work quicker by helping bring impurities to the surface and small red bumps can actually be a sign the product is working.
The right way is to change one product at a time. If you are changing your cleanser this week, change the moisturizer in a gap of 7-8 days. Similarly, if you are introducing an active ingredient, give it a week to settle on your skin.
It's believed that this purging period actually results from existing clogged pores coming to the surface, giving the inaccurate impression that things have got worse. If you keep applying Differin as recommended, you should see improvement once the purging period has concluded (usually after 6-8 weeks at the latest).
Even with a good skincare routine, breakouts can still happen if the routine isn't matched to your skin's specific needs. Your skin might benefit from tweaking the products you use, possibly changing ingredients or dosages in your acne treatments.
Niacinamide and vitamin C
This combination sparks a lot of debate among skincare experts. Some say that since both niacinamide and vitamin C contain antioxidants, they cancel each other out and might even lead to irritation.
Skin purging is common, but doesn't necessarily happen to everyone. In fact some people don't experience it at all. For those of us who do suffer from purging, it can look like: breaking out in pustules (pimples), the appearance of flaky, peeling skin, irritation and dry patches.
For general skin tone correction, a niacinamide concentration between 4-5% is often effective and well-tolerated by most individuals. For those looking to tackle more pronounced hyperpigmentation, a higher concentration of 10% may be beneficial, though it's important to monitor the skin for any signs of irritation.
Does niacinamide cause pimples? Niacinamide does not cause any pimples as it is gentle on most people of all skin types. But it might irritate if it is used in larger quantities.
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. Avoid touching, picking, or popping pimples.
Purging is temporary, and it won't last forever – your skin needs to adjust to the new active ingredients in your regime. Keeping consistent will help you through this phase, as your skin will gradually adapt. A simple, stripped back skincare routine will also help your skin to acclimatise.
Before your first month of treatment ends, you may experience a paradoxical acne flare, termed colloquially as “Accutane purge.” Skin purging looks like acne exacerbation. That is why you hear some Accutane patients saying, “It gets worse before it gets better.” The cause of the Accutane purge is unknown.
While it might be tempting to pop any whiteheads or remove blackheads that appear, it's best to avoid picking any blemishes that appear during a purge (as your skin is vulnerable to damage during this time). Instead, you can target the areas where your skin is purging with Software's AHA/BHA Pimple Patches.