Celine here — and I’ve got a confession: the first time I tried retinol, my skin went wild. I’m talking breakouts, redness, bumps I didn’t even know existed. Honestly? I thought I had made a huge mistake.

But here’s the thing: I wasn’t reacting badly to the product. My skin was actually doing something totally normal (and kind of amazing) called purging.

If you’ve ever started a new skincare product and noticed your skin getting worse before it gets better, you’ve probably been through it too. It’s frustrating, it’s confusing, and it makes you wonder if you should just give up. Don’t. Let’s clear this up together.

Think of purging as your skin’s way of hitting the fast-forward button on its natural exfoliation cycle. Ingredients like retinol, AHAs, BHAs, or even professional treatments like peels and facials, rev up cell turnover.

All those little clogs and bumps that were hiding just below the surface? They get pushed out faster. It doesn’t look cute (I’ve been there), but it means the product is working behind the scenes to reset your skin.

Here’s the not-so-pretty truth: congestion doesn’t appear overnight. Blackheads, micro-clogs, those stubborn little bumps — they’ve been sitting under the surface waiting for their moment.

When you use high-performance products, your skin says, “Alright, let’s deal with this now.” It looks worse before it looks better, but it’s really your skin clearing house so it can glow later.

• Starting retinol or exfoliating acids

• Getting a chemical peel or professional facial

• Switching to more active, skin-health–focused products

• Adding powerhouse serums that wake up skin metabolism

Here’s the good news: the purge doesn’t last forever. Most people see it calm down in 2–4 weeks.

Here’s the catch: if your breakouts stick around longer than that, or you’re seeing pimples in areas where you never break out, that’s not purging. That’s irritation, or just the wrong product for you.

Here’s what I tell my clients (and remind myself when I’m tempted to pick at every little bump):

Stick with it – Consistency is everything. Don’t bounce between products.
Hands off – Picking only makes things worse (trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way).
Ice it – A cold compress can calm inflammation and reduce redness.
Smart spot treating – I love Face Reality Sulfur Spot Treatment to soothe flare-ups.
Patch it up – Face Reality InvisiClear Hydrocolloid Patches save me from touching my face (and they work while I sleep).

Myth: “Purging means the product isn’t working—it’s making my skin worse.”
Fact: Purging usually means the product is doing exactly what it’s supposed to: speeding up cell turnover so blockages can surface and clear.

Myth: “All breakouts after starting a product are purging.”
Fact: Not true! Purging happens in the areas you normally break out. If new pimples show up in totally new zones, that’s irritation or a bad reaction—not purging.

Myth: “Purging can last for months—just push through it.”
Fact: A true purge should settle within 2–4 weeks. If your skin still looks worse after that, it’s time to reassess.

Myth: “I should stop all my other products when I’m purging.”
Fact: Nope! Stick to your routine. Just keep things gentle, consistent, and supportive—don’t overload your skin with new actives all at once.

Purging isn’t fun, but it is part of the process. Think of it as your skin letting go of old baggage so it can move into a clearer, healthier future.

The hardest part is staying patient when the mirror makes you doubt everything. But trust your skin — it knows how to heal. Your job is to support it gently, stay the course, and resist the urge to pick. You’ll thank yourself later. 💛

With clarity and care,
Celine

Need a little extra help?
You don’t have to figure this out alone. My team of licensed estheticians (aka your future skin BFFs) can help you tackle breakouts, create a safe routine, or fine-tune what you’re already using. And the best part? Skincare check-ups with us are completely free.