Is working out with makeup on really bad for your skin? I asked a dermatologist

Sweat-safe skincare.

If putting on a little foundation and mascara is part of your pre-gym ritual, I completely understand. When you’re dreading an early morning gym session or a particularly difficult pilates class, a visual pick-me-up can make all the difference. Look good, feel good, right?

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But if your skin is prone to blemishes and irritation, exercising with makeup on might not be the best idea. Just like sleeping with heavy beauty products on can clog your pores, sweating through a layer of makeup can lead to inflammation, bacteria spread and breakouts. Read on as Software’s Dr Lauren Thomas explains why sweat and makeup are not always a good combination.

Why exercise is good for your skin

Getting a good sweat in is great for many, many reasons. It helps keep your heart healthy, releases feel-good endorphins and makes you feel stronger and more confident – the list goes on. When it comes to your skin health, Dr Lauren explains that exercising “stimulates blood flow to the skin, in turn increasing oxygen and blood cells (hence why redness can occur), removing free radicals and delivering the required nutrients to the skin”.

Working out also helps reduce stress, which could otherwise trigger eczema, psoriasis or acne for those who struggle with these conditions. And it helps you sleep better, giving your skin the time it needs to repair and rebuild (while you get some much-deserved rest). So, if you usually notice a nice glow to your skin after your Pilates class or weight lifting session, you know why.

What about makeup?

“The main reason for removing makeup before exercising is because of sweat, so if your idea of exercise is a gentle walk with no sweating involved, you could forgo these steps,” Dr Lauren explains. If you lean more towards high-intensity exercise,  you might want to forgo the foundation in favour of light skincare and SPF.

“Makeup will trap sweat on the skin’s surface, which will then mix with dead skin cells and sebum and clog your pores. This is particularly relevant for foundation, but can also happen with thick serums and moisturisers. Even products advertised as non-comedogenic – while they won’t directly clog pores – can result in other products becoming trapped and leading to breakouts.”
And that’s not all.

“Shared gym equipment such as yoga mats, machines and dumbbells can spread bacteria (which is why it’s important to bring your gym towel!). When you touch your skin, you can transfer bacteria to your face and body, and wearing makeup creates a warm environment that is ideal for bacteria to thrive.”

Even a little mascara or soft eyeliner is better to avoid, as these products have the potential to run, get into your eyes or other sensitive areas of the skin and cause irritation. Long story short, it’s always best to work out bare-faced. “A complete cleanse may not be required before exercising. Using a makeup wipe or water-free cleanser is another time-saving method,” Dr Lauren recommends.

“After finishing exercising, the sweat should be removed by washing the face with a gentle cleanser,” she adds, warning that water alone may not be enough to adequately cleanse the skin of sweat and residue.

“If you suffer from acne on your chest or back, showering after the gym is also a good idea. If you prefer to shower at home, change out of a sweaty shirt and into a dry one to help prevent breakouts. Lastly, if you find that your scalp or hair gets sweaty whilst working out, it can be good to wash your hair, as not doing so can increase dandruff levels.”

For more on sweat-safe skincare, head here.