Exercise Related Breakout Remedies
Posted on 03. Jan, 2009 by admin in Acne Prevention
Sweat and your Skin – Does Working Out Cause Breakouts?
Exercising in moderation is actually something that is very good for your skin, on top of helping you be able to achieve a much healthier body, as well as lowering the level of stress that you feel. Generally when a person is experiencing problems with acne because of their regular exercise routine, it is normally due to some other factor like the types of clothes you may be wearing, the places where you may be exercising at, along with how vigorous your workout routine may be. Acne problems that are related to exercising are normally caused by the types of clothing you are putting on your body rather than the type of exercising that you are doing with your body. If you will simply try changing these other factors you may just be surprised at the fewer outbreaks you will experience.
Make-up
The makeup that you wear during a heavy exercise routine has the ability to clog your pores even when it is a non-comedogenic or oil-free cosmetic. It is best to try to wear small amounts of makeup when you plan to workout.
Clothing
If acne on the body is a problem for you, then you might want to consider avoiding such garments as those that are made using only nylon or lycra. Various types of synthetic material is known for trapping moisture and heat next to your skin, and this ends up creating the perfect area for bacteria to grow, which contributes to breakouts. Wearing loose fitting clothing made of cotton or even a blend of cotton and lycra when you exercise is a good choice. You skin will have a better ability to breath if you wear fabrics made with natural materials, and loose fitting items will cause less friction. Some of the new choices in clothing that are designed with fabrics that do not allow moisture to cling to your skin are a good choice for vigorous exercising.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is always important if you are outside in the sun for any length of time. It is true that your acne may show slight improvements after you have been in the sun for short periods of time, however testing that has been done shows that exposing your skin to the sun for extended periods of time can promote damage from the sun along with problems from your pores becoming clogged. There are even some medicines that cause your skin to be highly sensitive to sun exposure, so for this reason using sunscreen will be even more important for you. Sunscreens that offer protection of SPF 15 for both UVB and UVA rays are the best to use. Just as with makeup products, sunscreen can also clog your pores so it is important to shower as quickly as possible after your workout.
Moisture
It is important to change from damp or wet clothes after you have vigorously worked out on the tennis court, treadmill, hiking trail, or any other form of activity where you become drenched with sweat. If you are not able to shower right away, then you should at least change into clothing that is dry after you have wiped the excess moisture from your skin. Wearing the wet and sweaty clothing for an extended period of time after you have worked out, and rubbing vigorously as you towel off, can both cause sunscreen and makeup to work further down into the pores.
Equipment
There are many individuals who end up with aggravated acne from the lesions that may be affected by the sports equipment that is used. To ensure that this does not become a bother for you, make sure the helmet you use is the right fit and try adding a lining of cotton fabric that is soft and washable into the helmet. If you wear a wetsuit, it should not be very tight underneath your arms. No matter what type of equipment you use or what type of sport you enjoy the most, one of the most important measures you should take is to ensure that the equipment stays dry and clean when they are not being used.
Showering
Showering as soon as you have finished working out is always the best idea. Always wash gently so your skin and existing blemishes are not aggravated, and you could also try using a medicated cleanser. When showering immediately after working out is impossible, changing into dry clothing and wiping down with pads that are medicated can go a long way in preventing further breakouts.
Enjoying a healthy body AND healthy skin includes plenty of exercise. As you notice any triggers that cause your acne to become worse you can easily remedy the problem, allowing you to enjoy workouts that are free of breakouts.
