India, Sept. 29 -- You start a new retinol, exfoliating acid or acne treatment expecting clearer, smoother skin. Instead, a few days or weeks later, tiny bumps, pimples, redness or dry patches begin appearing. The internet may quickly label it "skin purging" and tell you to keep going. But not every reaction to a new skincare product is purging - and sometimes what looks like a temporary adjustment is actually irritation.

In a conversation with HT Lifestyle, Dr Akriti Gupta - the founder and chief dermatologist at Jivisha Clinics, New Delhi - explains, "Skin purging is a term that is commonly used when acne seems to worsen after starting certain active ingredients. However, people should not use the word as a reason to ignore persistent ...