Bellevue Acne Clinic
Exercise may be making your acne worse, if you aren’t practicing good habits. The connection between exercise and acne is twofold. First, sweating creates a moist, warm environment in which bacteria like to grow. This is worse if you happen to be wearing products on your face that trap the sweat, such as makeup and/or sunscreen.
The clothes and or equipment you wear during exercise may contribute to acne. If your workout regimen or sport requires you to wear a helmet, hat or non-breathable clothing, the fabric can rub against your skin, irritating your skin and causing acne. This can often be observed in people who wear helmets with chinstraps - the acne follows a path along the strap.
Finally, dried sweat can clog your pores if left on the skin too long. You can reduce this risk by washing your face soon after exercise
Take a few steps to minimize any negative impacts of exercise on your skin. Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing. Be sure to have a clean face prior to exercise (no makeup and/or sunscreen). And be sure to wash your face soon after exercise.