Retinol Purge: What It Is & How Long It Lasts

Retinol is a powerful skin care product that can help treat acne, reduce wrinkles, and make the skin smoother and brighter. When you first introduce retinol to your routine, it’s completely normal to experience purging, which looks like acne breakouts, dryness, flakiness, and redness. Whether you’re currently experiencing purging or nervous about the process, we’re here to help! We spoke with board-certified dermatologists to learn what retinol purging is , why it happens, what it looks like , and how to minimize symptoms . We’ll also explain what purging isn’t and when you might want to stop using retinol.

What does retinol purging mean?

Board-certified dermatologist Kaveri Karhade, MD, says retinol purging is a temporary skin condition that occurs when you start using retinol. It may cause dry, itchy skin, redness, and acne breakouts, and usually lasts 3-6 weeks. To minimize symptoms, apply a low concentration, over-the-counter retinol.

Section 1 of 7:

What is retinol purging?

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Retinol purging is a temporary period of skin irritation caused by retinol use. It’s completely normal to experience skin purging when you first start using retinol , says board-certified dermatologist Aanand Geria, MD. It usually looks like acne breakouts, dryness, flaky skin, and redness. ^{[1]
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Expert Source

Aanand Geria, MD
Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} This happens because retinol (a topical form of vitamin A) promotes skin cell turnover, which means it removes dead skin cells and encourages new cells to develop more quickly. This brings clogged pores and breakouts to the surface quicker than normal and can leave your skin red, flaky, and sensitive. ^{[2]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Dr. Geria says it’s normal to “get a little freaked out in the first few weeks” when you experience breakouts or your skin appears to look worse. He assures you that “it's nothing to worry about,” and it goes away fairly quickly. ^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Aanand Geria, MD
  Board-Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview}
- It’s important to remember that retinol does not cause acne breakouts. Rather, it’s “causing some of the debris to be extruded from the skin” that was already present under the surface, says Dr. Geria. ^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Aanand Geria, MD
  Board-Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview}

Section 2 of 7:

What does retinol purging look like?

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Retinol purging can cause breakouts, dryness, redness, and flaking. During a retinol purge, most people develop some acne where they most commonly get breakouts on their face. This includes small whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, and an uneven skin texture. ^{[5]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} It’s also normal to experience dryness, flaky and peeling skin, itchiness, redness, and general skin sensitivity. ^{[6]
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Research source}
- How much your skin purges varies from person to person. It can also depend on the concentration of the retinol you’re using and how often you use it. We’ll provide tips to minimize the symptoms of purging in the sections below.
- Skin purging is different from experiencing a regular acne breakout or an allergic reaction. We’ll explain the differences in the sections below, as well as when you might want to stop using retinol and talk to your doctor or dermatologist .

Section 3 of 7:

How long does retinol purging last?

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Retinol purging usually lasts for 3 to 6 weeks. During the first few weeks of using retinol regularly, you may develop acne, flaky skin, uneven texture, and redness. That’s nothing to worry about! Dr. Geria says it usually “takes about one month to start seeing results” from retinol and for the purging to start to subside. He asserts that it’s important to keep up your routine even when you experience purging, as it can take “about three months to see the full effect” of retinol and get clearer, smoother, brighter, and plumper skin. ^{[7]
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Expert Source

Aanand Geria, MD
Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview}
- Retinol purging only lasts as long as it takes for your skin to get used to the product. Once your skin has adjusted, you shouldn’t experience any more purging symptoms unless you increase the concentration of retinol or start applying it again after not using it for a while.
- If the breakouts and irritation still aren’t getting better after 6 weeks, the retinol product or concentration may not be right for you. Stop using the retinol and talk to your dermatologist or health care provider to see if a different product might be better for your skin.
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Expect different symptoms during each purging stage. While everyone’s skin reacts differently, there are generally 3 stages of retinol purging, each lasting about two weeks. Here are the symptoms you can expect for each stage:
- Week 1-2 : You start to experience new breakouts, and your skin may appear red and irritated. You’ll likely experience dryness and skin peeling or flaking, too.
- Week 2-4 : You’re still getting breakouts, but you’re seeing fewer new pimples, and the previous spots are healing. Your skin may feel rougher than normal while the redness, irritation, and dryness are decreasing.
- Week 4-6 : Fewer acne spots are developing, and your skin is starting to clear up, get smoother, and appear brighter. Redness, dryness, and irritation should be very minimal or completely gone.

Section 4 of 7:

How to Prevent Retinol Purging

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Start with a low concentration, over-the-counter retinol product. Retinol comes in all different forms and concentrations, from over-the-counter retinols that are less potent to prescription-only retinoids that are much stronger. Strong retinol products can cause more breakouts and more intense irritation, so board-certified dermatologist Kaveri Karhade, MD, suggests “starting with an over-the-counter version” of retinol to “slowly get your skin used to it.” ^{[8]
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Expert Source

Kaveri Karhade, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview}
- Once the breakouts and irritation go away, Dr. Karhade says you can switch to a stronger over-the-counter retinol, or talk to your dermatologist or health care provider about getting a prescription-strength retinoid. ^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kaveri Karhade, MD
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview}
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Apply a small amount of retinol at night, once or twice a week. Retinol is a powerful skin care product, so you only need a small amount to work its magic. Dr. Karhade recommends applying a pea-sized amount to your entire face at night. ^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Kaveri Karhade, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} To help your skin adjust to it and prevent irritation, start by applying it once or twice a week. ^{[11]
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Research source}
- Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so most dermatologists recommend applying it at night. As a plus, this gives the retinol plenty of time to soak into your skin and work its full effects. ^{[12]
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  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
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Slowly build up to using retinol every night or every other night. Each week, add an additional night when you apply the retinol. For instance, you might apply it one night a week for the first week, two nights for the second week, and 3 to 4 nights for the third week. By the fourth to fifth week, aim to apply the retinol every other night or every night. ^{[13]
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Research source}
- Pay close attention to how your skin is responding to the retinol. If your skin is very irritated or dry after applying it every other night for a week, drop down to applying it twice per week.

Section 5 of 7:

How to Minimize Active Retinol Purging Symptoms

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Moisturize your skin after applying retinol. To lessen dryness, flakiness, and irritation, Dr. Karhade says to follow up retinol with a moisturizer. Simply use a gentle, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free moisturizer to help soothe your skin and prevent clogged pores. ^{[14]
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Expert Source

Kaveri Karhade, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview}
- There are different opinions on when exactly to apply moisturizer. Some dermatologists suggest applying it directly after retinol, 30 minutes after, or even before you put on retinol. Always follow your dermatologist’s or health care provider’s instructions.
- If your skin is very dry or irritated, you may find it helpful to apply a thin layer of moisturizer before and after you put on retinol.
Because retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, it’s important to wear an SPF 30 sunscreen each day. ^{[15]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} Plus, board-certified dermatologist R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH, says sunscreen is an important component of a good skin care routine . It protects your skin from sun damage (dark spots, wrinkles) to keep it looking plump and youthful. ^{[16]
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Expert Source

R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview}
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Avoid using exfoliants and harsh products as your skin adjusts. Keep your skin care routine simple when you first start using retinol, and simply wash your face with a gentle cleanser . While you may want to treat retinol purge breakouts with other chemical exfoliants, like salicylic acid, or facial scrubs, these products can increase irritation, dryness, and redness while your skin is adjusting to retinol. ^{[17]
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Research source}
- Once your skin adjusts to retinol, you can slowly combine it with other products like salicylic acid or glycolic acid. To combine them safely, apply them on opposite days, or retinol at night and the other product in the morning. ^{[18]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}

Section 6 of 7:

Differences Between Purging & Other Skin Conditions

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Skin purging vs acne breakouts During a retinol purge, you often experience breakouts where you’re applying the retinol and where you normally get acne, like around your T-zone. The spots are generally smaller and less deep than an acne breakout, and most importantly, the breakouts are temporary and go away after several weeks. If you’re experiencing an acne breakout, you may get acne all over (face, neck, back), the spots often appear larger and more inflamed, and it may take longer for them to heal. ^{[19]
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Research source}
- The causes are also different. Retinol does not cause acne to form, and instead, it brings existing impurities to the surface. Acne breakouts often develop from stress, oily skin care products, air pollution, and some foods (like skim milk). ^{[20]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
It’s normal for retinol to cause some breakouts, redness, and irritation during the first few weeks of using it. However, if your breakouts are appearing where you don’t typically get acne, you experience swelling, or the redness and irritation do not go away after several weeks, it’s possible that you’re allergic to the product. Stop using the retinol and talk to your dermatologist or health care provider about next steps. ^{[21]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

Section 7 of 7:

When to See a Doctor

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Talk to your doctor if purging symptoms last longer than 6 weeks. If your skin isn’t improving after 6 weeks and you’re still noticing lots of breakouts, irritation, redness, or swelling, stop using the retinol and visit your dermatologist or health care provider. It’s possible that the retinol product isn’t reacting well with your skin, or you’re having an allergic reaction. ^{[22]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Your doctor might suggest using a different concentration of retinol, a different retinol product, or using a different skin care treatment altogether.

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[1]

Expert Source

Aanand Geria, MD
Board-Certified Dermatologist

[2]

Go to source

[3]

[4]

[5]

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[7]

[8]

Kaveri Karhade, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist

[9]

[10]

[11]

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[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
Board Certified Dermatologist

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

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Retinol Purge: What It Is & How Long It Lasts

What does retinol purging mean?

Steps

What is retinol purging?

What does retinol purging look like?

How long does retinol purging last?

How to Prevent Retinol Purging

How to Minimize Active Retinol Purging Symptoms

Differences Between Purging & Other Skin Conditions

When to See a Doctor

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

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