A small, out-of-character (and short term) breakout, caused by the retinol purification process, that only happens...when you need it to.
Pure, high-potency forms of retinol are known to return dozens of your vital skin processes to their youthful, high-functioning states. Retinoids work to exfoliate, boost collagen production, increase cell reproduction rate (also called "turnover" rate), repair imperfections and, on the topic at hand, removes impurities. During this purification process, some clients will see a small temporary breakout that will seem out of character for your skin (in a different area of face or a with different type of blemishes), called "retinol purging. "As described by the dermatologists in this Healthline Article, retinol purging is the necessary step on the way to revealing younger, bouncier, more even skin. And the best thing to do is to push through it. If you experience this it should only last a few days to a week before clearing up and on the other side awaits a fresher, clearer, more youthful complexion than ever before.