Is your workout ruining your skin? How to keep the glow without the blemishes

Dermatologists offer advice on ways to prevent breakouts and infections, which can happen when exercising regularly

Exercise can cause skin issues if good hygiene is not followed. Victor Besa / The National

When you make fitness a regular part of your routine, you will soon notice plenty of benefits to the body and spirit. More strength? Check. Quieter mind? Check. Better sleep? Check.

But one of the downsides that some people report when they transform themselves from couch potato into fitness fanatic, is the toll it can take on the skin. Hello post-spin spots and welcome, barre-induced blemishes.

So, what is the deal? The National speaks to skin experts to find out what is really happening to our complexion when we hit the gym, what we should be wary of and the new skincare habits we should be adopting.

So, is the post-workout glow just sweat?

Yes, we are in it for the healthy heart and the super-woman-like strength, but we would be lying if we said the promise of glowing, celeb-worthy skin did not play a part in signing that 12-month gym contract.

“The so-called post-workout glow is really the result of two things,” Dr Lana Kashlan, a dermatologist, explains. “Yes, the sweat on the surface of the skin does give a nice glistening sheen, but more importantly, there is increased blood flow during exercise and this increased circulation causes a flush of redness.”

But like the skin’s many layers, the benefits run deeper, too. Studies show that regular exercise leads to a better quality of sleep, and you don’t need science (a mirror will suffice) to tell you that this results in a brighter, plumper and more invigorated complexion.

Meanwhile, Dr Hossein Yavari, a specialist dermatologist at CosmeSurge, says that when exercise becomes part of your everyday lifestyle, the benefit of each workout “will have an accumulative effect, improving the quality of skin in general”.

So why the breakouts? A method of releasing toxins while keeping the body cool during a heart-raising gym session, sweat is not intrinsically a bad thing. But as Dr Majd Alzoughbi, a specialist dermatologist at Aesthetic Clinic, explains: "Overheating and sweating can make some skin conditions worse. Sweat carries with it the grime of what is built up in your pores and what is on your face, and if it settles back into your skin, it is not good," she says.

The result? Breakouts, rashes, irritation and milia – small white bumps that appear on the skin when flakes get trapped under the surface.

Those with oilier skin types are more likely to notice a negative knock-on effect. Already producing more sebum, which can clog pores and lead to bacterial overgrowth, adding a layer of perspiration into the mix will only perpetuate that problem.

What pre and post-workout steps should we be taking? 

Cleansing the face before and after workouts can prevent acne. Victor Besa / The National

So, should we be washing our face before the gym, giving it a scrub afterwards, or waiting until we get home and into the shower?

“To help prevent acne, it’s important to clean your face before working out,” says Alzoughbi. She recommends using a gentle cleanser and rinsing with water to prevent that build-up starting before you have even completed your first circuit.

And once those Fitbit stats have been shared as Instagram Stories? “Cleanse your face again right after your workout,” says Yavari. At the very least, that means a splash of warm water in the changing rooms, and at best, conducting your full cleansing routine before you leave.

To help prevent acne, it's important to clean your face before working out

It may seem extensive, but removing everything lingering on the skin beforehand and not allowing sweat to sit on its surface for too long afterwards (which increases the chances of not only spots but fungal infections) is essential if you want a healthy sheen over an unwelcome irritation.

Those with dry skin will be recoiling at the idea of stripping away precious oils in such a short space of time. But while drier skin types are less likely to experience a breakout after a gym session, protecting it against other bacteria and germs is still important. “If your skin is too dry, cleanse your face before exercise and then apply a very light, oil-free moisturiser,” recommends Yavari.

What about the other skin-compromising gym hazards?

Make sure you have a reliable cleanser in your skincare arsenal.

Our workout poses a whole host of dermatological hazards if we do not follow good hygiene practices. “The presence of moisture, especially in areas such as the underarms and groin, promotes the growth of bacteria and fungus on the skin's surface, and this can cause inflammation and rashes,” says Kashlan.

But that is only the beginning. “Infectious organisms can live on surfaces we touch, so be aware that gym equipment is a major source for potential viral, bacterial and fungal infections.”

While the rigid sterilisation programmes being carried out in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic should thwart many of these, it still pays to be extra-cautious.

As obvious as it sounds, be mindful not to touch your face mid-spin and remember to wipe down all weights with disinfectant. Even though members of staff should be cleaning all gym equipment regularly, taking chances over a quick wipe-down is not worth the risk. “I also recommend bringing your own towels and mats,” Kashlan says.

So, should we be switching up our overall skincare routine?

Committing to a life of fitness does not have to mean overhauling your beauty cabinet. But adding a few steps and stages to your skincare regimen could help protect against pimples, rashes and worse.

We all have a basic daily cleanser, toner, moisturiser and sunscreen routine, so just relying on that cleanser a little more pre and post-workout is key. Alternatively, add micellar water – gentle yet effective – into the mix for some on-the-go goodness.

What do the pros use?

Kirsteen Thain, trainer at CrossFit Metalize in Ras Al Khor. Antonie Robertson / The National

We know what the skin specialists have to say, but what about those in the fitness industry? Personal trainer and former Women's Health cover star, Kirsteen Thain says she keeps her skin in as good a shape as her abs.

“I was an avid horse rider when I was a teenager, so have always been active and I’m used to being sweaty. But I started exercising in the gym about seven years ago. I noticed my skin change when I started working out – your skin is a reflection of your internal health, after all – but I’ve also been really pedantic about taking care of it.

I'd rather use heavy moisturisers and have the odd spot every now and then, than let my skin dry out

"Post-workout, I always rinse my face off with just water or wipe a micellar water-soaked cotton pad over it. I gently dry, avoiding scrubbing and just patting my face down – and then I apply an oil, moisturiser and sunscreen to avoid my skin drying out.

“Some of the products I swear by include Obagi Professional Vitamin C Serum 10 per cent, The Ordinary Retinol 0.2 per cent in Squalane, Uriage Xemose Soothing Cleansing Oil, Uriage Xemose Lipid-Replenishing Anti-Irritation Cream, Dr Hauschka Eye Balm and La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Anti-aging Serum.

"My priority is always to avoid wrinkles; I’d rather use heavy moisturisers and have the odd spot every now and then, than let my skin dry out.”