Exercise and Acne: What is the Connection?

Not only is a moderate amount of exercise good for maintaining a healthy body and for managing stress, it is also very beneficial to your skin. There are people who think that exercise makes their acne worse, but if your acne gets worse due to exercise, it is normally because of something you are putting on your body rather than what you are doing to it. There are certain factors to consider when determining if exercise is actually aggravating your acne.

One factor is make-up. There are oil-free and non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) products available, but they will still clog the pores if worn during heavy exercise. Wear as little make-up as possible while exercising. When you are finished, wash it off as soon as possible.

Secondly, overexposure to the sun could cause your skin to worsen in condition. Though some sunlight is beneficial to the skin, overexposure can result in damaging spots and pore damage beneath the skin’s surface. Your medications and makeups can also make your skin more sensitive to the effects of the sun. As a result, wearing a sunscreen is a must for outdoor activity. In choosing a sunscreen, utilize a type that works well for your skin, with a SPF factor of at least 15 for both UVA and UVB rays. Again, as with makeup, wash your skin and the sunscreen off after exercising.

Clothing can be a third factor that can cause skin irritation. Synthetic fabrics do not breathe as well as many natural threads, resulting in sweat and heat being trapped against the skin. This trapping can breed bacteria, which is not ideal for the skin. A good tip is to avoid synthetic materials like lycra or nylon exclusively when exercising, instead opt for looser and more aerated fabrics like cotton. Or, as an alternative for the heaviest workouts, purchase clothing that is designed to wick water away from the skin and evaporate it before it can build up on the fabric or the skin’s surface.

Proper fitting clothing and equipment are also crucial to consider, as they can lead to skin irritation as a result of friction. Wearing outfits that are too snug in places like armpits and crotches are prime areas for irritation. Helmets need to fit properly and snugly to the head, and should be lined with a soft fabric that can be removed and washed regularly, such as cotton.

Make sure you take a shower and change your clothes as soon as you can. Whatever your exercise routine entails, sweaty clothes are not good to keep on. If no shower is available, at least wipe off the sweat with a clean towel and change your clothes. Additionally, make sure to blot dry your face rather than wiping it. Attempting to cleanse your face by wiping can actually cause sunscreen, make-up, and oil to get embedded deeper into your skin.

Showering quickly after a workout is a great habit to get into. Using an exfoliating cleanser while showering combined with the quicker shower will allow dirt and other accumulation on the skin to be removed quickly. Being gentle in cleansing the skin is optimal, as scrubbing or being overly abrasive can irritate skin further and possibly lead to further skin blemishes developing and current blemishes worsening.

A good exercise routine is vital to our overall health. It is more likely to obtain healthy skin if you have a healthy body. Become aware of the factors that may be the cause of your aggravated acne, then take care of them accordingly. After you have adjusted your routine and removed those factors, you will be on the path to breakout-free workouts.