How to Prevent and Save Your Skin from Post-Workout Acne

Can exercising give me acne? You might be asking yourself this question. While exercising is good for your skin in many ways (it increases blood flow, removes toxins, and reverses the signs of aging), sweat can become a breeding ground for bacteria — along with some gym habits.

To prevent post-workout acne or deal with the breakouts in case you already have them, here are tips that will help. Use these as part of your pro cheer fitness routine!

Remove makeup before working out.

Some women don’t cleanse their face before a sweat session or they prefer keeping their makeup on. The problem with makeup is that it can clog your pores. Combined with sweat, this could lead to breakouts. (Lip product is fine, though, since your lips don’t have hair follicles.) If you can’t wash your face, wipe it with disposable baby wipes or an oil-free makeup remover.

Wipe shared equipment prior to using it.

Exercise bike handles, dumbbells, and anything touched by individuals working out harbor viruses and bacteria. These could be transferred to your skin and trigger acne. If you often go to the gym, it would be a good idea to carry a pack of disinfecting wipes to clean equipment surfaces before using it. (As a courtesy to others, wipe them after working out.)

Avoid touching your face.

Most people make a habit of touching their faces. Unfortunately, this can spread oil and dirt from your hands to your face, causing clogged pores and acne. The only time you should touch your face is when you cleanse it or apply makeup — with clean hands, of course.

If possible, take a shower after a workout.

Consider showering after a sweat session to rinse away oil and bacteria. Keep in mind that there are many other places acne can develop, such as your neck, chest, back, and upper arms. Showering is a good skincare practice for preventing body acne. When showering, scrub your skin gently. Use a gentle cleansing bar if you have acne-prone skin.

Don’t wear tight clothing.

Another tip for keeping acne at bay is to wear breathable, loose clothing to avoid irritating your skin. Tight bra straps, including certain fabrics like nylon and spandex, can make you sweat more and itch. You’ll notice your skin reacting to your gym clothes if it develops redness or looks scaly.

Apply an over-the-counter (OTC) product.

There are a lot of available options that can treat mild to moderate acne. Common active ingredients found in these products include salicylic acid, sulfur, tea tree oil, and benzoyl peroxide. Different products have different strengths (for example, 2% salicylic acid). If you have sensitive skin, you might want to start with the lowest strength and slowly work your way up.

Final Thoughts

If you still develop acne despite these tips, find a dermatologist that can help you. Acne can have other causes, such as your nutrition (food choices), stress, and hormones. Finally, if you’re looking for more pro cheer skincare tips, don’t miss these posts:

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