08/21/2026
Yes, skin purging is real, but not every breakout after starting a new product is a purge.
Purging is more common with ingredients that increase cell turnover, like retinoids, tretinoin, and exfoliants. If that happens, sometimes we can simply decrease how often you’re using the product, adjust the strength, or pair it with a light moisturizer.
But if you’re suddenly breaking out after introducing something like a moisturizer or sunscreen and it continues after a few days, that may be a sign the product just isn’t agreeing with your skin.
The key is knowing the difference before you decide to push through or put the product down. 👀