Your skin is an undercover moneylender. Remember when you forgot to bring a makeup remover wipe to spin class? Or the time you were too lazy to remove your foundation before the gym? Well, sure your skin was not forgotten, that's why you may have found a new pimple on your forehead.
Despite the acne-free promises of your favorite concealer, your skin probably won't respond well to a combination of sweat and makeup.
Your pores get clogged
If you're going for an easy walk or stretching session, you may be able to wear makeup during your workout. But any workout that induces sweat will probably need a makeup wipe.
When you exercise, your internal temperature rises, causing your body to sweat in an effort to stay cool. The heat opens the tiny openings, also known as pores, throughout the skin, which are responsible for releasing oil and sweat.
Once pores open, they can become clogged with bacteria or contaminants that may already be on your skin. Clogged pores can cause redness and irritation, depending on how sensitive your skin is.
Adding makeup to this equation increases your chances of having these adverse effects because makeup can suffocate your skin and block your sweat glands , trapping dirt and other irritants within your pores. But the pores on your neck, arms, chest, and upper back can also become clogged and irritated, which is why some people may see acne on other parts of their body after exercising.
Due to the nature of exercise, this is not too surprising. After all, how often do you find yourself sitting on machines or lying on mats at the gym? Shared computers can be full of acne-causing oils and bacteria. It is essential that you disinfect and clean the material before and after use.
Using the right products can help prevent exercise-related breakouts on your face and body. Although you can use a sensitive face washcloth if your gym doesn't have clean towels or paper towels available, washing your face after your workout is the best way to cleanse your skin.
Make sure to wash your face immediately after exercising to minimize the chances of having a flare-up. A double cleanse can also be helpful, starting with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup, followed by a water-based cleanser to finish the job.
Your skin becomes more prone to acne
Unfortunately, pores clogged by makeup and acne tend to go hand in hand. When the pores are clogged with makeup, the trapped bacteria grow fairly quickly in the glands.
Eventually, the trapped bacteria will cause the clogged pore to burst, infecting other areas of the face, which can lead to different types of acne such as whiteheads, blackheads, and cyst-like pimples .
Different parts of the face are also less and less prone to blemishes. The forehead and cheeks may be more prone to acne, as there is a higher density of sebaceous glands here. So acne and skin inflammations are the biggest concerns here.
Moisturizers and sunscreens generally won't cause a breakout if you use the type that is best for your skin. For example, if your skin is generally sensitive and prone to irritations or breakouts, make sure your moisturizer is hypoallergenic or fragrance-free.
If your skin is oily, the last thing you want is an oily or oily moisturizer and sunscreen. Look for a water-based option, as they are less likely to irritate acne or breakout prone skin.
Your eyes will get irritated
Your eyes and eyelids are quite a sensitive part of your face and can easily become red or irritated when you exercise with makeup. Like the rest of your face, your eyelids have pores, which are responsible for releasing healthy lubricating oils.
If you exercise with makeup on your eyelids, these glands can become clogged and cause your skin to become red and dry. Without sufficient lubrication from natural oils, tears can also evaporate too quickly, leading to eye irritation.
Wearing eye makeup while exercising can also make you prone to styes, which is an infection that develops in the eyelash follicle or tear gland. Styes can form on the eyelid or under the eyelid along the lash line.
If makeup or bacteria blocks a follicle or gland in the eye area, it can turn into a stye. Although it can be tempting to pop a stye like a pimple, you should avoid touching it at all costs and let it heal on its own.
Ideally, refrain from wearing eye makeup, including eyeliner, mascara, and eyeshadow, during exercise entirely, and be sure to completely remove eye makeup with a cleansing wipe before your workout.
Should you remove makeup before training?
To keep your skin looking and feeling its best, you will want to wash your face before and after exercising. Even just wiping your face with an oil-free makeup wipe will do the trick; You don't need to start your 10-step skincare routine in the locker room.
If you prefer to use something to cover a scar or blemish, choose your products wisely. Opt for light , mineral-based tinted foundations, concealers, or moisturizers . Look for makeup that is non- comedogenic, which means it doesn't clog your pores.
Do you want to use a liquid foundation? Consider one that contains a low level of salicylic acid . Salicylic acid can help remove dead cells and excess oil from the skin's surface, helping to keep pores clear.
For your eyes, use waterproof formulas. Although these products are slightly more expensive and more difficult to remove, a waterproof mascara or eyeliner will minimize sweat-induced irritation.
