Exercise and Acne

You may believe that acne only occurs for a few years when you are a teenager before going away for good. However, acne can appear in any person at any point in their life. Acne is a skin disease that involves the oil glands at the base of your hair follicles and is most common during puberty. As you get older, it is important to understand how your actions can affect your skin so that you can starve off a breakout.
Exercising can affect acne due to the increased rate of sweat production. While sebum oil in your skin and sweat are commonly excreted through your pores, exercising causes these to be released rapidly. This sweat and oil then covers your skin and builds up in your pores. It is important to take steps to protect your skin while exercising so you can fight back against acne.
While sweat itself doesn’t cause acne, it can aggravate your skin if you are prone to breakouts. When exercising, don’t wear makeup so that you can keep your skin clear. Use sunscreen when working out outdoors, such as jogging, because sun exposure can affect your skin as well. When using a towel to remove sweat, be sure to blot your face instead of wiping. Wiping spreads sweat and oils across the surface of your skin, whereas blotting helps lift it away. Shower with soap after your workout and blot acne areas gently with a towel to help keep your skin clear. With these tips in mind, you will be able to fight acne before it shows and protect your skin during exercise.