You’ve started a new skincare routine, and you’re getting breakouts. You might think your skin is “purging,” but a top dermatologist suggests you investigate another possibility: the breakouts could be simple irritation caused by your earbuds, and you’re misinterpreting the signs.
Purging has a specific pattern. A skin expert explains that true purging happens when you start a new active ingredient that increases cell turnover, like a retinoid or an AHA. It causes underlying micro-comedones to come to the surface faster. Purging typically occurs in areas where you normally break out and clears up within a few weeks.
Irritation from earbuds looks different. The dermatologist points out that breakouts from earbuds (acne mechanica) will be located specifically where the device rubs. The bumps might look more uniformly red and inflamed, and the condition will persist as long as you continue the habit, regardless of your skincare routine.
The timing is a key clue. The expert advises you to think about when the breakouts started. Did they begin a week after you started a new retinol, or did they coincide with a period where you started wearing your earbuds more often for a new job or a long commute?
How to tell for sure? The dermatologist suggests a simple test. Stop the new skincare product, but continue using your earbuds with good hygiene. If the breakouts persist, the earbuds are the likely culprit. Conversely, stop using your earbuds for a week, but continue your new skincare. If your skin clears up, you’ve found your answer. Don’t blame your products for a problem your gadgets are creating.