Should I do my skincare routine before or after working out?

Should I wash my face before a workout?

Remove makeup before exercising. A gentle cleanser is one option, but an oil free makeup remover wipe is enough if you want to avoid an extra wash. If you are already makeup free, you do not need to add a separate cleanse just because you are about to exercise. Makeup is not needed for a workout, even if the packaging has the confidence of a personal trainer.12

What should I do while exercising?

Use a freshly washed towel to gently pat sweat away rather than rubbing. Rubbing can make acne flare. Wipe shared equipment before using it, and avoid transferring oil and bacteria from equipment to your face with your hands. Start with clean workout clothes, too: unwashed clothes carry oils, bacteria and dead skin cells that can clog pores.2

Should I apply sunscreen before exercising outdoors?

Yes. Apply a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to skin not covered by clothing before heading outside. Broad spectrum means protection against both UVA and UVB rays. For skin prone to acne, look for an oil free formula labelled noncomedogenic, meaning designed not to clog pores. Use shade and protective clothing as well. Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating. If cold weather leaves your skin chapped or windburned, moisturizer or petroleum jelly before going outside can help, but neither replaces sunscreen.12

Should I do skincare after sweating?

1. 1Shower after your workout when possible, and change out of sweaty clothing. If a shower is not available, at least wash your face.
2. 2Wet your skin and apply a mild cleanser with your fingertips. Choose an oil free, noncomedogenic cleanser if you have acne.
3. 3Gently rinse with warm water and pat dry. Avoid hot water, scrubbing and rough washcloths.
4. 4Follow cleansing with moisturizer as needed, including if your skin is oily. Apply sunscreen again if you are returning outdoors.

Do I need to cleanse after exercise?

Yes: gentle cleansing after exercise helps remove the buildup left on your skin. Washing removes excess oil, makeup, sunscreen and dirt, which is a useful job without a special gym edition of face wash. If you have no cleanser nearby, lukewarm water is a useful fallback, although water alone does not remove oily dirt as effectively as a cleanser. Keep washing gentle rather than repeatedly scrubbing until your skin feels stripped. Excessive washing can remove protective oils, increase water loss and leave skin dry or irritated.14

Do I need acne products after every workout?

A mild cleanser is a suitable starting point; exercise does not automatically call for an extra acne treatment. Salicylic acid pads are an option for areas prone to breakouts when you cannot shower. Continue your usual acne treatment, but be careful about adding a medicated cleanser on top of leave on acne products: too much treatment can cause excessive dryness and irritation. Benzoyl peroxide can irritate sensitive skin and should not be used at the same time as other drying ingredients such as salicylic acid.124

Stop an acne product if it causes severe irritation and see your doctor. Acne improvement can take several weeks or months; seek medical advice if pimples have not cleared within six weeks or if your acne is severe.5