Timeline Photos Do you suspect that your workout is causing (or worsening) your acne? Well, you could be right.
.
If your workout is the culprit, you don’t have to stop exercising. You can continue to play sports, take your favorite exercise class, or hit the gym and still see clearer skin. Here’s what we recommend:
.
.
BEFORE your workout:
�
1️⃣Remove your makeup. No need to wash your face. A oil-free makeup remover towelette works fine.
.�.
2️⃣Put on clean workout clothes (washed since you last wore them). Dead skin cells, bacteria, and oils on unwashed clothes can clog your pores, leading to acne.
.�.
3️⃣Apply oil-free sunscreen before you head outside. If you’re going to exercise outdoors during the day, you can prevent breakouts by protecting your skin from the sun.�.
.�Yes, the sun can cause breakouts because it dries your skin. When this happens, your body produces more oil, which can clog pores and cause acne.�.
.�To get the protection you need, you’ll want to apply a sunscreen that offers:
• SPF 30 or higher
• Broad spectrum (protects you from UVA and UVB rays)
• Water resistance
• Oil-free formulation (Label may say “non-comedogenic” or “won’t clog pores.”)
.�.
DURING your workout:
.�.
4️⃣Use a clean towel to wipe off sweat. You want a towel that has been washed since you (or someone else) last used it.�.
.�When you remove sweat from your skin, gently pat it off. Rubbing your skin can cause acne to flare.
.�.
5️⃣Avoid sharing protective equipment like helmets and shoulder pads whenever possible. These can be full of acne-causing bacteria and oil, which may cause you to breakout.
.�.
6️⃣Wipe off shared equipment before you use it. Shared equipment can be full of acne-causing bacteria and oil. If you use the equipment and then wipe your forehead or other acne-prone skin, you can spread acne-causing bacteria and oil from the equipment to your skin.
.�.
AFTER your workout:
.�.
7️⃣Consider showering immediately after your work out. This may rinse away bacteria that can cause acne.
.
If you aren’t able to shower, consider changing out of your workout clothes and wiping skin that tends to break out with pads that contain salicylic acid. This can prevent clogged pores. ... See more
