Whether it’s a little bit of concealer or a full face of foundation, many women choose to wear makeup when working out – and it could be wreaking havoc on your skin.
Exercise makes us sweat, right? Sweating is our body’s way of cooling us down and it also helps push impurities out of our skin…
The thing is, when your skin is covered in makeup, those impurities can’t get out. Here, Dr Preethi Daniel, Medical Director of London Doctors Clinic explains:
‘Sweat and natural skin oils can clog these pores and cause overgrowth of bugs such as P. Acne causing spots. What’s even worse is when these sweat pores open, anything sat on the surface such as day-old makeup and city pollution particles also clog them up and cause breakouts!’
She adds: ‘Furthermore, heat rash or miliaria which are small itchy bumps on the skin can develop from not letting your skin breath. Sweat needs to evaporate off the body, cooling it and lifting impurities. By not allowing this you have more of a chance of developing these small itchy bumps.’
What to do
Dr Preethi recommends removing all makeup before you hit the gym, preferably using a micellar water product on a cotton pad.
‘It is best to shower or wash your face after working out to clean any sweat and dirty gym gear residue (think of those mats!) of your face as soon as you are done at the gym.’
If your skin is suffering, Dr Preethi suggests treating your skin to a clay mask alongside regular exfoliation and moisturising. For a quick DIY recipe, try whizzing papaya with honey for an all-in-one facial.
