Issue 41 | Skin Purging

✨ Skin Purging: What It Is—and Why It Might Be a Good Sign

You just invested in a facial or started a new skincare product, and instead of glowing... you’re breaking out. Sound familiar?

Don’t panic. What you're experiencing might not be a breakout at all—it could be skin purging, and while it’s frustrating, it can actually be a sign that your skin is on the right track.

🌿 What Is Skin Purging?

Purging happens when active ingredients or professional treatments increase your skin’s cell turnover rate. In simple terms: it speeds up how quickly your skin sheds dead cells and pushes congestion to the surface.

If you already had underlying buildup—clogged pores, blackheads, or congestion—it can all come up at once. That’s what we call a purge.

💫 What Causes It?

You’re most likely to purge after:

• A facial that includes deep exfoliation or detoxifying masks
  

• Starting actives like retinol, AHAs, BHAs, or enzymes
  

• Using professional-strength products that increase skin cell renewal
  
  

At Brōwe, we often see purging with first time facial clients, those trying a new advanced treatment, or when clients start a new home routine with exfoliating actives.

⏳ How Long Does Purging Last?

It varies, but most purges resolve in 7–14 days. The key difference between a purge and a breakout is timing and location:

• Purging: Happens quickly after a new treatment/product and shows up where you typically break out
  

• Breakouts: May pop up in new areas and can be caused by irritation, allergies, or barrier damage

🖤 What You Can Do

• Stick with it: Don’t quit your routine too soon—your skin is adjusting.
  

• Keep your barrier supported: Hydration and barrier care are just as important as exfoliation.
  

• Communicate with your esthetician: At Brōwe, we tailor every treatment and home routine to your current skin—not just your goals.

🌱 Trust the Process (and Your Skin)

Purging isn’t fun—but it’s often a sign that something good is happening beneath the surface. Your skin is clearing out what it no longer needs so it can make way for something better: clarity, glow, and balance.