Purging versus breakout : Understanding the Differences Purging Triggered by certain skincare ingredients like retinoids and exfoliants, accelerates skin turnover, initially causing acne outbreaks that eventually improve with continued use over Skin Purging What Is It and What Medicines Can Cause It? What is Skin Purging? How Does It Differ From Breakouts? Can Glutathione Cause Breakouts? Understanding the Complex Relationship Between Glutathione and Acne Cymbiotika CYMBIOTIKA Skin purging is a common, temporary skin breakout reaction to ingredients in certain skincare products, such as retinol and alpha hydroxy acids.