What's Normal: Peeling, Purging & Skin Adjustment

Peeling, purging, dryness — what's normal and what's not.

The most common reason people stop before results: they think adjustment symptoms mean something is wrong. Here's the truth.

Purging vs. a bad reaction

✓ Purging — Keep Going
  • Small blemishes where you already break out
  • Appears weeks 1–3 then subsides
  • Light flaking or tightness
  • Temporary redness clearing in under an hour
  • Skin sensitive but not raw
✗ Reaction — Stop & Contact Us
  • Burning persisting more than 10–15 minutes
  • Breakouts in areas not normally affected
  • Severe peeling with raw or broken skin
  • Widespread rash, hives, or swelling
  • Eyes, lips, or throat irritation

If you're peeling

Light flaking is not skin damage. It's the outer layer shedding. Retinol and AHAs accelerate cell turnover — that's how they work. Mild peeling in weeks 1–2 means the product is doing something.

Recovery protocol if peeling feels excessive:

  1. Drop frequency to every other night for 5–7 days
  2. Layer a plain non-comedogenic moisturizer over the active before bed
  3. Add SPF 30+ every morning without exception
  4. Pause all other exfoliants — no acid toners, no scrubs
  5. After 5–7 days, slowly reintroduce at original frequency

If you're purging

Purging is temporary and it's a good sign. It peaks at week 2 and clears by week 4. If you stop at week 2, you restart the purge every time you try again.

When to stop completely

Stop if you experience: severe burning that doesn't stop, open or raw skin, swelling, widespread rash, or allergic reaction symptoms. Contact our Glow Agents.

Still not sure what you're experiencing?

Message A Glow Agent →

We respond within 1 business day. Bring a photo if you can — it helps us give the right answer.