ZENMED Cosmetics

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.

Although there have been studies that have concluded sunlight in small amounts can help to lessen acne, prolonged exposure has been proven to clog pores and cause damage. Some kinds of acne medicine can even elevate how sensitive you are to the sun’s rays. You should, therefore, always use sunscreen if you plan on doing your exercises outside. Make sure the sunscreen you choose has no oil and an SPF factor of at least 15 for both UVA and UVB rays. After completing your workout, make sure you wash off the sunscreen as soon as possible, because these products can clog your pores as easily as your make-up does.

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.

Making sure that you have the proper fitting equipment can be the best way to battle friction related breakouts. For instance, you don’t want your wetsuit too tight under your arms. If you use a helmet, ensure it fits properly and does not slide around on your head. Also, line your helmet with a layer of soft, washable cotton fabric, like an old t-shirt.

If possible, shower immediately and put on dry clothes as soon as you possibly can. No matter what exercise routine you do, it is not good for your skin to stay in wet clothes. If it isn’t possible to shower, change into dry clothes and wipe moisture away with a clean towel or medicated pads. When drying your face, blot, don’t wipe. Vigorous wiping can cause make-up, sunscreen, dirt and/or other unseen material to impel deeper into the pores.

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.

Maintaining a healthy exercise schedule is beneficial for every person, and a healthy body is naturally conducive to healthy skin. You will be more likely to have one if you have the other. Know what causes your skin to become irritated, and take care to avoid those things. Once you have removed those irritants from your exercise routine, your workouts will always be free from breakouts.