Skin problems caused by exercise?
I have a question about working out & skin. I just got a new job where I can actually afford a gym membership and have been going for about a month. I love the classes, I love pushing myself, I love everything except for the fact that I am breaking out like CRAZY. It’s like I’m being punished for wanting to work out. Do you think my skin will eventually get used to the fact that I’m sweating more? I wash my face right after, use Clean & Clear body wash, and have been drinking a lot of water but it’s just not working. Do you have any suggestions?
– question sent in by Lindsay
Gah, how frustrating. I’m not sure what’s going on here, but my thoughts for things to try:
• Wash your face before exercising, not just after
• Make sure your hair is pulled away from your face, and maybe skip hair products on a day you’re going to exercise
• Continue drinking lots of water — maybe the skin flareups are caused by toxins leaving your body?
What say you, readers? Has anyone encountered this problem before?
December 16th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I’ve been battling acne for a while and here are some things I try to do when I work out:
I always wash my face before and after (you might want to get a gentler cleanser since you’ll be washing your face so much) and make sure I use a headband to keep all the hair off my face.
I also try to keep my hair off my face after I work out and I try to use a clean washcloth to wash/dry my face with (don’t want to get that excess hair product you just wiped off your hands onto your face – gross).
Oh, and I put on my oil-free moisturizer before working out to help compensate for washing my face twice in a row.
Lastly, I try to always wear a fresh sports bra. Maybe this is a no-brainer for everyone else, but I don’t have a ton to cycle through, so I’m always tempted to use a grody one. But the same with the washcloth theory – I didn’t wash my skin just to get that nasty sweat back on me.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
If you’ve recently started a healthier lifestyle your body could be purging toxins and these will come out through your skin. Make sure you are well hydrated before, during and after. Drink purified water (not in those plastic water bottles though!).
December 16th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I can’t help you with any advice, as I go through the same ordeal, and I’ve yet to figure out the combination to END it. I started working out mid August, and the break outs continue on a regular basis.
I’m hoping someone here has the answer!!
December 17th, 2008 at 3:11 am
Washing before and after is great advice. And more importantly with a very mild cleanser. I don’t usually have problems but switching to a stronger facial wash made me start breaking out.
I’ve also had good results with Lush’s Lemslip (for your body, not your face!)
December 17th, 2008 at 9:07 am
I had a similar problem when I started running again. I had no acne before and suddenly it appeared everywhere – my hairline, underarms, my bra line, even on my legs.
I doubled my water intake, and started using a product made by Acute Derm called Antisipation. It is face wash, but fairly inexpensive for the large size bottle and I used it EVERYWHERE I had a problem letting it sit a few minutes to work its magic.
It took a few weeks, but it cleared up and my skin ended up looking better than it did before.
December 17th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Moisturizer, though it seems counter intuitive.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Try using a facial toner that has tea tree oil in it (Suki is a god brand) after you wash your face, it’s a natural antibacterial agent
December 18th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
*good*
December 21st, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I feel you’re pain. My skin didn’t get better until I became really careful about what I was putting on my skin (just because a product is labeled non-comedogenic doesn’t mean it won’t cause breakouts). Check the ingredients list with the list on this website to be sure: http://www.savvyskin.com/how-to-prevent-cosmetic-acne
I hope you’re able to find something that makes a difference!!
December 21st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
i found relief from acne through the steps they use at acne.org, benzoyl peroxide and moisturizer have been the miracle cures for me.
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:52 am
Thank you, everyone for the tips – I’m glad I’m not the only one who has this annoying problem!
December 29th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I find that, after a workout, I have to wash my face AT the gym, rather than waiting til I get home. Somehow those 30 minutes or so that I spend getting out of the gym, getting home, and getting into the shower make a difference in my skin–turns out that’s too long for me to leave sweat and grime on my skin. I have discovered that I can avoid workout-related breakouts if I stop at the locker room right before leaving the gym, and wash my face. Then, of course, I still hop in the shower as soon as I get home.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:18 am
walton…
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