This post was reviewed and updated by Sarah Otto, Dermatology Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Otto Skin Goods on May 7, 2026.

While active ingredients are incredibly effective for any skincare routine, their results aren’t always seamless from the get-go. A lot of active ingredients can actually cause your skin to break out more initially, due to a process known as skin purging.

As frustrating as this is, if you can stick it out, the results are worth it! Think: softer, clearer, brighter-looking skin.

Why does your skin “purge”?

Purging is an initial breakout or worsening breakout of your skin after starting a skincare product that contains certain active ingredients. The culprits? Actives that shed skin cells more rapidly, helping to loosen trapped oil and dirt in your pores. These include:

• Alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, salicylic acid, fruit acids)
• Retinoids
• Vitamin C
• Professional services including microdermabrasion, chemical peels and laser resurfacing

Clogged pores can actually exist for months before causing a real breakout. Active ingredients have a tendency to accelerate the rate at which clogged pores (comedones) rise to the surface and become blemishes, often causing many pimples to erupt all at once.

But, believe it or not, skin purging is actually a good thing. That’s because it’s cleaning out your pores and preventing breakouts in the future. Think of it as a short-term loss for a long-term gain.

How long does skin purging last?

It depends on how many underlying comedones you have in the first place. Unfortunately, if you’re already acne-prone, this process will be more severe and could last for up to 4 weeks. But by weeks 6-8, you should start to see a more clear and clean complexion.

Suffering from pimples? Try our Multitasker Night Serum, specially formulated with fruit acids. If you want to reduce your risk of a more severe breakout, start slow and increase use as tolerated. Plus, try these other helpful tips:

• Use The Multitasker just twice a week initially and slowly increase to nightly use over 4-8 weeks.
• Start one product at a time that contains active ingredients. As tempting as it may be to start using all the active goodness, sometimes a slower approach is the better approach. Start one new product at a time, and if your skin tolerates it, add another one every 7-10 days.
• Use a mild cleanser so it doesn’t strip and irritate your skin further. Use something mild with very little foam, or try a cleansing oil.

How do I know if it’s skin purging versus an adverse reaction?

Here’s how to spot the difference between a healthy skin purge and an allergic reaction:

• Purging tends to worsen areas where you’re already prone to breakouts
• Purging clears on its own in 8 weeks or less
• An allergic reaction usually causes redness, irritation and itching

Frequently Asked Questions

What is skin purging?

Skin purging is an initial breakout, or a worsening of existing breakouts, that can occur when you start using skincare products containing certain active ingredients. It happens because those ingredients accelerate the rate at which clogged pores rise to the surface and become blemishes.

What causes skin purging?

Purging is triggered by active ingredients that speed up skin cell shedding and loosen trapped oil and dirt in your pores. Common culprits include alpha hydroxy acids (such as glycolic, lactic, salicylic, and fruit acids), retinoids, and vitamin C. Professional treatments like microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing can also trigger purging.

Is skin purging a bad thing?

Not at all! While it can be frustrating, purging is actually a sign that your skin is clearing out clogged pores and preventing future breakouts. Think of it as a short-term loss for a long-term gain. The end result is softer, clearer, and brighter-looking skin.

How long does skin purging last?

It depends on how many underlying clogged pores (comedones) you have to begin with. For most people, purging should clear up within 6–8 weeks. If you're already acne-prone, the process may be more intense and could last up to 4 weeks before improvement begins.

How can I reduce the severity of skin purging?

A few tips to minimize purging:

• Introduce one active ingredient product at a time, and if your skin tolerates it, add another every 7–10 days.
• Start with less frequent use (for example, twice a week) and gradually increase to nightly use over 4–8 weeks.
• Use a mild, low-foam cleanser or a cleansing oil to avoid further stripping or irritating your skin.

How do I know if it's purging or an allergic reaction?

There are a few key differences:

• Purging tends to flare up in areas where you're already breakout-prone, and it clears up on its own within 8 weeks.
• An allergic reaction typically causes redness, irritation, and itching, and may appear in areas where you don't normally break out.

If you're unsure, stop using the product and consult a dermatologist or skincare professional.