If you find your skin breaking out after exercise, this detailed guide will walk you through the reasons behind post-exercise breakouts and offer you step-by-step advice on how to avoid them.
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Why Does My Skin Break Out When I Exercise?
Exercise is a crucial aspect of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, it can sometimes lead to skin breakouts, which can be both frustrating and perplexing. To address this, we delve deeply into the three primary causes: frequent friction, excessive sweating, and not cleaning post-workout.
Frequent Friction
Engaging in exercises means your skin is often in contact with different surfaces including your clothing, gym equipment, and even your own hands. This constant rubbing can irritate your skin, leading to a type of acne known as acne mechanical.
To avoid this, it’s advised to wear clothing that reduces friction and to be conscious not to touch your face often during workouts. Furthermore, ensure that gym equipment is clean before use to reduce the risk of irritation and breakouts.
Excessive Sweating
While sweating is a natural process to cool the body during workouts, it can be a double-edged sword for your skin. Sweat can mix with oils, dirt, and bacteria present on the skin, leading to clogged pores and eventually, breakouts.
It’s vital to understand that sweat itself isn’t the issue but the mixture with other elements on the skin. Therefore, maintaining clean skin before workouts can be a preventative measure.
Not Cleaning Post-Workout
The period immediately after your workout is critical in preventing breakouts. Sweat and dirt accumulate on your skin during a workout, creating a perfect environment for breakouts.
Washing your face and other exposed areas as soon as possible after your workout can prevent the pores from getting clogged. It’s advisable to use a gentle cleanser that will not irritate your skin.
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Steps to Prevent Skin Breaking Out After Exercise
Preventing skin breakouts post-exercise begins with a conscientious approach to skincare revolving around your workout routine. Here are some detailed steps you can take:
Pre-workout Cleansing
Before you begin exercising, it is imperative to clean your skin thoroughly. This means washing your face to get rid of makeup and excess oils that could mix with sweat to clog your pores.
It is best to use a mild cleanser like this Amazon-listed La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser to avoid irritating your skin before the workout.
Taking this step seriously forms the foundation for preventing post-workout breakouts.
Wear Breathable Clothing
Your choice of workout attire plays a significant role in skin health. Breathable fabrics, such as cotton or specially designed moisture-wicking fabrics, can help to reduce sweat accumulation and friction on the skin.
Ensure that your workout clothes are not too tight to prevent unnecessary friction that can irritate the skin.
Rinse Immediately After
If a full shower is not possible immediately after working out, at the very least, rinse your face and any other sweaty areas with water. This quick action can help to remove sweat and reduce the chances of pore clogging.
Having facial wipes handy is a good option for this immediate cleaning. You can get this Neutrogena Hydro Boost Facial Cleansing Towelette from Amazon for this purpose.
Stay Hydrated
Good skin care isn’t only about external practices; it’s also about taking care of your body from the inside. Staying hydrated by drinking sufficient water can aid in maintaining a healthy skin barrier and flushing toxins out of your body, which in turn can prevent breakouts.
Make it a habit to drink water before, during, and after your workout to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
