Is Your Skin Retinoid Purging? Signs to Look For

Woman with acne looking at herself while holding her chin in her hand. — Getty

Whether you have stubborn acne or are on a mission to ward off the appearance of premature aging, there’s a very high chance that retinoids have made their way into your skincare routine. After all, retinol is one of the most effective anti-acne and anti-aging ingredients available over the counter. But with high efficacy comes a few side effects, including dryness, flaking, and, most notoriously, breakouts. This acneic-like state is known as retinoid purging (often dubbed the “retinol uglies” thanks to its ability to exacerbate the very skin concerns you are trying to treat).

“Retinoids are very effective in promoting increased cell turnover, which brings new, healthy cells to the skin’s surface,” board-certified dermatologist Harold Lancer, MD, explains. “However, in doing so, the retinoids can also cause clogging, breakouts, redness, and/or peeling to occur during the initial adjustment phase.”

Since it can feel pretty jarring to see skin concerns get worse before they get better, we asked Lancer, along with board-certified dermatologists Alexis Stephens, MD, and Corey L. Hartman, MD, to answer your burning questions, including how to tell if your skin is retinoid purging or just breaking out. Keep scrolling for more information on what's really happening to your skin during the retinoid purging stage and how to overcome it.

Meet the Expert

Harold Lancer, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Beverly Hills. He is the founder of Lancer Skincare.
Alexis Stephens, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Coral Springs, Florida. She is the founder of Parkland Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery.
Corey L. Hartman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology.

What Is Retinoid Purging?

The word purging translates to purification or cleansing—and that’s exactly what’s happening to your skin during the retinoid purging phase. “Retinoids work at a cellular level to normalize skin turnover,” explains Stephens. “In the realm of acne, retinoids bring out everything clogging your pores that are hiding underneath. The combination of retinoids' ability to increase cell turnover and unclog pores with everything being brought to the surface at once can result in temporary increased breakouts.”

In addition to increased acne types like whiteheads and blackheads, Hartman says that new retinoid users may also experience redness, peeling, and general skin irritation, "especially on the areas of the face where the skin is the thinnest, like around the nose and mouth."

As counterintuitive as it may seem, Hartman notes that seeing flare-ups while beginning a new retinoid product is actually a good thing. “It means the retinol is working to turn over your skin,” he says.

How Long Does It Last?

While it varies based on skin type, a typical retinoid purge lasts around four weeks. That said, Stephens says flare-ups can last as long as eight weeks, which she says is equivalent to two cell cycles. “If you have been using a product for more than three months and this purge is still occurring, take a deeper evaluation because something else is happening, and it’s time to see a dermatologist to address the issue,” she adds.

How to Deal With Retinoid Purging

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Don't Quit Retinol Entirely

If you notice an adverse reaction to your retinoid, your first thought may be to discontinue use. Don’t. “Doing so will stop the progress you’ve made so far, and if you take a full break, you’ll go through the retinization process again,” Hartman warns. “Retinol purging is a temporary side effect; if possible, continue to use your retinol as directed.”

While retinoid purging is perfectly normal for any skin type, Lancer says that it’s important to know whether it’s a purge or a negative reaction. “If you are experiencing intense levels of redness, peeling, or burning, consult with your dermatologist and cease application immediately,” he says.

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Edit Down Your Routine

Retinoids are the gold standard in skincare and, as such, they can work a world of good almost entirely on their own. With that in mind, Stephens recommends minimizing your skincare routine while incorporating a new retinoid. “Use a gentle cleanser, topical retinoid, and moisturizer,” she suggests. “Look for a moisturizer with MLE technology that can rapidly restore healthy skin barrier function, like Zerafite Soothing Calming Moisturizer.”

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Use It Every Other Night

While continuing use is ideal, Hartman recognizes that you may need to adjust frequency to give your skin a bit of a break. “If needed, stop using retinol daily and drop it down to two to three times a week to give your skin a bit more time to acclimate,” he suggests. “Once you find you can handle two to three times per week, you can try to bump it up to four to five times weekly.”

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Remember: Less Is More

“Many individuals make the mistake of slathering on copious amounts of a clinical-grade treatment with the mindset that more is better,” Lancer says. He explains that, in reality, overusing nearly any clinical grade anti-aging treatments can cause more damage.

“Overusing the product can strip the skin and cause dryness, redness, flakiness, and irritation,"he warns, noting to instead apply only a small amount, especially when first introducing the new ingredient to your skin.

This Is How Much Retinol You Should Be Using—and What Happens If You Overdo It

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Reinforce Your Skin Barrier

Retinol can transform your skin but also zap it of necessary moisture when incorporated into anti-acne products. “Even if you have naturally oily skin, be sure to use a rich moisturizer to repair the skin barrier,” Lancer says. “Our Nourish Rehydration Mask does wonders to boost moisture while providing a hydrating barrier to prevent moisture loss.”

Even if you’re not using a retinol-infused acne product, Hartman says moisturizing is a must, as it will help address any peeling during the initial purge. “Pick a moisturizer with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin to really boost hydration and help with some of the visible dryness, peeling, and flaking,” he says.

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Dilute Your Retinoid

If you have sensitive skin, you may be wary of using retinol at all. If that’s the case, Lancer says to simply dilute your product. “If you have very sensitive skin, you can mix your retinol with your moisturizer before applying,” he shares.

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Apply Moisturizer First

If you don’t want to mix your products, Lancer says you can create a light but protective barrier between your skin and the retinoid by applying moisturizer first. While doing so will prevent the retinol from irritating your skin, he says that it won’t keep it from working its anti-aging, acne-diminishing magic.

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Avoid Harsh Soaps

When using a retinoid, you want to reduce the use of any other harsh skincare products, like certain cleansers. “Don’t use exfoliating scrubs or cleansers with other active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid,” Hartman says. “Stick to neutral pH cleansers meant for sensitive skin.”

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Avoid Exfoliating Acids

Speaking of salicylic acid, Hartman says that you should cut back on all skincare serums and spot treatments with exfoliating active ingredients like AHAs and BHAs. “They may be too harsh for the new skin that comes to the surface during the retinol purge phase,” he explains.

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Never Forget Sunscreen

Retinoids make skin more susceptible to UV damage. “Because retinols and retinoids work to speed your skin cells’ life cycle, they make skin more sensitive to the sun,” Lancer explains. As such, he says to always apply an SPF of 30 or higher after applying your moisturizer during the daytime. “[Remember to] reapply sunscreen every two hours,” he adds.

The Final Takeaway

Don’t let the idea of a retinol purge keep you from benefiting from the world-class ingredient. “My opinion is that with the exception of people with rosacea or overly sensitive skin, everyone should be using a retinol,” Hartman says. “These vitamin A derivatives are among the most studied and published ingredients in skincare. Their benefits are numerous and unparalleled and are arguably the most important step that you can take for overall skin health and anti-aging after the sun protection factor. Retinols regulate cell turnover, promote effective exfoliation, prevent acne, even discoloration, control oil, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, unclog pores, and so much more.”

In short, if you don’t have a retinol in your routine already, it’s worthwhile to add one to your regimen, stat.

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