subject: 3 Important Things To Know About Exercise And Acne [print this page] There are a number of ways to prevent acne - prescription medication, natural remedies and other preventative measures. One of the best choices is exercise. Not only can it help to prevent acne, it also has many other health benefits.
Keeping in shape can help to fight acne by reducing negative stress and anxiety levels from day to day life. There are some things you need to be aware of, however, otherwise exercise could cause acne to become worse.
First, be careful of what kind of products you're using on your skin. When you exercise, the sweat can lead to acne outbreaks when combined with things like cosmetics or sunscreen.
Always looks for oil-free, noncomedogenic sunscreens and cosmetics. These types of products will help to prevent clogged pores.
When your workout is finished, wash these products off as soon as possible. This is particularly important if you'll be in a steam room or sauna afterwards, where your pores will open up even more. This makes it easier for the sunscreen, cosmetic or other skin products to get into your pores, clogging them.
Second, be careful of what clothing and equipment you wear. For instance, lycra or nylon exercise gear tend to trap the moisture against your body and can lead to a frenzy of bacteria.
You are better off choosing loose clothes made from cotton or other natural blends. These can breathe better, allowing better airflow to your skin. After you finish exercising, get out of these clothes as soon as possible, shower and change into dry clothes.
Make sure you keep your workout gear clean too. Dirty equipment can again lead to bacteria which can in turn cause acne problems.
Third, when you're drying off with a towel during exercise, blot rather than rub. Rubbing can grind dead skin, sweat and dirt into your pores, clogging them and leading to acne outbreaks.
