The Truth About Skin Purging vs. Breaking Out

You start a new skincare product, maybe something with active ingredients, and suddenly your skin flares up. Is it a purge? A breakout? A bad reaction?

This is one of the most common (and confusing) skincare experiences. And while temporary irritation can be a normal part of skin adjusting, it’s important to know the difference between purging and breaking out- because how you treat them isn’t the same.

What Is Skin Purging?

Skin purging happens when ingredients that increase cell turnover, like exfoliating acids or retinoids, bring underlying congestion to the surface faster than usual.

It’s not a true breakout. Instead, it’s your skin speeding up the process of shedding dead cells and pushing out clogged pores.

You may notice more whiteheads, blackheads, or tiny bumps in areas where you typically break out- but it usually resolves within 2–4 weeks as your skin adjusts.

How to Know If It’s a Purge vs. a Breakout

Here’s how to tell the difference:

Skin Purging	Breaking Out
Triggered by active ingredients that speed up cell turnover	Can happen due to irritation, comedogenic ingredients, or hormone shifts
Happens in areas where you normally break out	New breakouts in areas you don’t typically see acne
Clears up within 2–4 weeks as skin adjusts	Doesn’t improve or worsens over time
Often looks like small, uniform bumps or whiteheads	Can include cystic acne, irritation, or inflamed pimples

What to Do if You’re Purging

Stick with it (for a few weeks). If you’re using a gentle, well-formulated product, purging is temporary and a sign your skin is adjusting.
Don’t overload your routine. Avoid adding too many actives at once especially while your skin is adjusting.
Hydrate and protect your barrier. Supporting your skin with calming, hydrating ingredients will help it recover faster.

Try:

Balancing Serum: With 5% niacinamide and willow bark, it gently clarifies and calms without over-exfoliating.
Nourishing Cream: Jojoba oil and bakuchiol nourish and strengthen reactive skin.
Clarifying Face Mask : Use 1–2x perweek to clear congestion without stripping your barrier.

What to Do if You’re Breaking Out

If your skin is reacting (not purging) here’s what to do:

Stop using the product. If breakouts are worsening, showing up in new areas, or feel painful or itchy, the product might not be a fit.
Simplify your routine. Remove anything new or irritating and go back to basics: cleanse, moisturize, and protect.
Give your skin a reset. Look for fragrance-free, non-comedogenic formulas designed for sensitive or breakout-prone skin.

The Alder New York Approach

We believe that skincare should be effective and gentle, which is why every formula we make is:

Fragrance-free
Non-irritating
Third-party tested for safty
Designed to work with your skin, not against it

If you’re dealing with purging or unsure if a product is working, less is more. And we’re always here to help you build a routine that supports your skin through every phase.