Exercise

Although exercise is good for you, it can also lead to acne breakouts. If you find your acne gets worse after exercise you may want to examine your routine. Here are just a few tis to avoid unneccessary acne breakouts caused by exercise.

• Get out of wet clothes as soon as possible. Staying in sweaty clothes allows acne bacteria to multiply, creating a good environment for acne lesions to form.

• Wear as little makeup as possible when exercising. Even oil-free and non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) cosmetics can clog pores if worn during heavy exercise. When you’re finished working out, shower and cleanse your face as soon as possible.

• When using sorting equipment such as baseball or football helmets, make sure your helmet doesn’t slide around on your forehead, or your wetsuit isn’t too tight under the arms.

• Always wear sunscreen. While acne may improve slightly after brief sun exposure, reasearch studies show that prolonged exposure actually promotes acne formation. Use a sunscreen with UVA and UVB protaection and at least a 15 SPF. Make sure the suncreen is oil free and non-comedogenic.

• Avoid garments made exclusively with lycra or nylon. Garments made of these products, especially tight fitting ones, can be a breeding ground for acne bacteria.