If you've been using Rx skin treatments like Accutane, Retin-A (tretinoin), or Tazorac, you may be familiar with a frustrating yet common side effect—purging. During this period, your skin may break out more intensely than usual, leading to confusion and concern. The truth is that purging is a common response to these medications. You may also experience purging with any new acne regimen if the clogs in the pores are already too big to be dissolved or if the body is being prompted to detox.
There are ways to support your body through this process, and tips you can implement immediately. Your skin reflects what's happening internally, especially concerning liver and gut health, which is why CLEARSTEM’s philosophy addresses both internal AND external causes of acne. Read on for 5 expert tips on supporting your body when it’s purging and why purging occurs in the first place.
What Is Purging and Why Does It Happen?
Purging occurs when your skin accelerates its turnover of cells, forcing clogged pores, oils, and impurities to surface more quickly. This process can temporarily result in more breakouts. Both oral and topical treatments, like Accutane and Retin-A (tretinoin), often trigger purging. Understanding why this happens—and how to assist your body during this phase—can make a world of difference in your experience.
There are key things you might be doing that can worsen this process, such as not removing the pore-clogging ingredients in your skincare and makeup–always remove pore-cloggers as the first step in your acne healing journey! Use our Pore-Clogging Checker to find out if your products contain any.
Accutane Purging: A Very Common Occurrence
Accutane, a potent oral medication for acne, is notorious for causing purging. Patients often experience an initial acne flare-up for 1-2 months before seeing any improvements and this can be highly distressing [1]. Accutane increases skin cell turnover and reduces the amount of oil (sebum) produced by the skin, forcing hidden blemishes to surface before things improve. It does NOT have the ability to dissolve active acne the way an AHA would, which is why we always recommend CLEARITY, a gentle exfoliating serum with 8% mandelic acid, turmeric, and green tea.
Retin-A and Tretinoin: Purging and Skin Adjustment
Similarly, Retin-A and tretinoin—topical retinoids used to treat acne and promote skin renewal—often cause an initial purging phase within the first few weeks and months, sometimes lasting over 6 months. Retinoids speed up skin cell turnover, pushing any underlying pore blockages to the surface, resulting in more acne breakouts, dryness, peeling, redness, and irritation. Purging may never stop with the white cream version of tretinoin/ Retin-A because it is formulated with isopropyl myristate, a highly comedogenic filler agent.
The CLEARSTEM Difference: Holistic, Science-Backed Solutions
Transitioning from harsh skin treatments to the CLEARSTEM system often results in less purging. This is thanks to our targeted exfoliants, which dissolve pore congestion on contact, preventing clogged pores from building up over time. Our products are carefully formulated with powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients known to calm and soothe the skin.
We also include growth factors that rebuild collagen, promoting healthier skin that can recover faster. By addressing congestion and reducing inflammation, CLEARSTEM’s non-comedogenic products can minimize the intense purging typically associated with aggressive treatments, providing a gentler, more effective solution.
The Role of Your Liver and Gut in Skin Health
Remember, acne is internal AND external. Beyond the external triggers, your skin’s purging can also be tied to internal imbalances, particularly within the liver and gut. Your skin functions as a giant elimination organ, often showing symptoms when other detoxification pathways—like the liver, lymph, and digestive systems—are overloaded.
Gut Health and Skin: A Key Connection
Studies have shown that gut health is intricately connected to skin health. The gut-skin axis involves the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems, linking digestive issues to skin flare-ups. Changes in gut health can directly influence skin conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea [2].
When your gut is compromised, toxins that would typically be excreted through digestion may instead be expelled through the skin, contributing to purging or acne-like symptoms. Gut inflammation and imbalances, such as leaky gut syndrome, can lead to systemic inflammation, often manifesting in skin conditions like acne.
Liver Overload and Skin Breakouts
Another critical player in skin health is the liver, which is responsible for filtering toxins from your body. When your liver is overwhelmed—whether from medication, poor diet, or environmental factors—those toxins may not be effectively processed. A study from the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found a direct link between liver function and skin flare-ups, reinforcing the idea that a sluggish liver can contribute to skin issues like purging [3].
Five Ways to Support Your Body During a Purge
While purging is a totally normal and temporary process, supporting your body can help minimize discomfort and improve skin health overall. Here are five ways to enhance detoxification pathways and help your body process toxins more effectively.
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Encourage Detox Through Movement
Engaging in regular exercise and getting your 10,000 steps help activate your lymphatic system, which plays a significant role in eliminating toxins. Lymphatic fluid relies on muscle contractions to move, so activities like yoga, walking, or rebounding (jumping on a mini-trampoline) can stimulate detoxification. -
Sweat It Out
Sweating is another excellent way to assist your body’s detox pathways. Using saunas, especially infrared ones, can help expel toxins through sweat, reducing the load on your liver and skin. Just make sure to stay hydrated! We also recommend hot yoga for lymph support. -
Focus on Lymphatic Drainage
Techniques like lymphatic drainage massage can help move stagnant lymph fluid, removing toxins from your tissues. Dry brushing before showers is another simple technique to stimulate lymphatic flow. -
Get a DUTCH Test for Hormone and Adrenal Health
Hormonal imbalances, particularly in women, can exacerbate skin issues like purging. A DUTCH test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) offers a detailed view of your hormone and adrenal health. By addressing hormonal imbalances through diet, supplements, or lifestyle changes, you can help regulate your body’s detox processes and improve skin health. -
Use Only Non-Comedogenic Products
During a purge, it’s crucial to avoid products that could further clog your pores. Non-comedogenic skincare products are specifically formulated to keep your pores unclogged, which can help reduce the severity of breakouts.
Look for moisturizers, sunscreens, and makeup labeled as "non-comedogenic" or "zero pore-cloggers" to ensure you’re not contributing to pore congestion. This can make the purging process smoother and prevent exacerbating acne flare-ups. All of CLEARSTEM’s products are acne-safe, with zero pore-clogging ingredients and no parabens or phthalates so you can achieve clear skin without compromise.
Embrace the Purge and Support Your Body
We understand that purging can be frustrating, but it's often a sign that your skincare routine is working! Whether caused by external factors like Accutane and retinoids, or by internal issues like gut and liver overload, purging is a natural process of your skin detoxifying. By supporting your body with targeted detox strategies—like movement, sweating, and lymphatic drainage—you can help ease the purge and set your skin up for long-term health.
Remember, this is a normal and temporary phase, and with the right support, your skin will come out clearer and healthier on the other side. With consistent care, your skin will recover and become stronger and clearer in the long run.
Sources
- Isotretinoin: The truth about side effects, American Academy of Dermatology Association:
- Appleton J. The Gut-Brain Axis: Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2018 Aug;17(4):28-32. PMID: 31043907; PMCID: PMC6469458.
- Choi JJ, Eum SY, Rampersaud E, Daunert S, Abreu MT, Toborek M. Exercise attenuates PCB-induced changes in the mouse gut microbiome. Environ Health Perspect. 2013 Jun;121(6):725-30. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1306534. Epub 2013 Apr 26. PMID: 23632211; PMCID: PMC3672930.
