Is your skincare
helping or hurting?
When you start a new product and break out, you face the hardest question in skincare: is this purging or a reaction? Retinoids and exfoliants can cause temporary flare-ups that resolve in 4–6 weeks, while comedogenic ingredients cause breakouts that only get worse. Without tracking, you're guessing, and either quitting a product too early or sticking with one that's harming your skin.
Free. No account required.
Purging has a timeline
Skin purging from active ingredients like retinoids, AHAs, and BHAs follows a predictable pattern: breakouts in areas you normally get acne, peaking around weeks 2–3, and resolving by week 6. ClearSkin's timeline makes this pattern visible.
Reactions don't improve
If a new product causes breakouts in unusual areas or gets worse after 6 weeks, it's likely a reaction, not purging. Tracking your skin daily lets you see the trajectory clearly instead of relying on a vague sense that things aren't improving.
Log products alongside your skin
ClearSkin tracks which products you use each day alongside your skin condition. When you introduce or remove a product, the timeline shows exactly what changed and when, no more guessing which product did what.
Test one change at a time
Dermatologists recommend introducing one new product at a time and waiting 4–6 weeks. ClearSkin makes this methodical approach practical by showing you clear before-and-after comparisons for each product change.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my skin is purging or breaking out?
Purging happens only with active ingredients that increase cell turnover (retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C). It occurs in areas where you normally break out, involves small surface-level blemishes, and resolves within 4–6 weeks. A breakout from a comedogenic product can appear anywhere, includes deeper cysts or new problem areas, and doesn't improve with time. Tracking daily makes the difference obvious.
Which skincare ingredients cause acne?
Comedogenic ingredients, those that clog pores, include certain oils (coconut oil, cocoa butter), heavy emollients (isopropyl myristate, lanolin), and some silicones. However, comedogenicity varies by person. What clogs one person's pores may be fine for another, which is why tracking your specific product reactions is more useful than memorising ingredient lists.
How long should I try a new skincare product before deciding if it works?
Give active ingredients (retinoids, acids) at least 6 weeks to account for a purging period. For non-active products (moisturisers, cleansers), 2–4 weeks is usually enough. If you're getting worse at any point with a non-active product, stop immediately. ClearSkin's timeline helps you track this window precisely.
Stop guessing about your products.
Track every product change and see exactly what helps your skin and what hurts it.
Free. No account required.