Physical exercise is essential for your overall health and can even help with acne. Working out regularly boosts your mood, improves heart health, and may enhance your skin. However, exercise can worsen acne in some people who are more prone to the condition. 

You can take steps to protect your skin and reduce your chance of breaking out when you exercise. Skincare routines before and after workouts can reduce your risk of acne, letting you enjoy the benefits of exercise for skin health. 

Exercise helps just about every area of your health, including your skin.  Working out regularly can improve skin health because of the following factors:

• Improves blood flow: When you exercise, your heart has to pump blood faster to meet your body’s increased oxygen needs. This circulates blood and oxygen throughout your body, which are both needed for skin healing. 
• Reduces inflammation: Increased blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells. This reduces inflammation and improves your skin’s ability to repair itself. Exercise also increases the number of beneficial bacteria in your gut, which can reduce inflammation throughout your body. 
• Boosts mood: Physical activity lowers the amount of cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone,” in your blood, which improves your mood.
• Lowers oil production: High cortisol levels can cause your skin to be inflamed and produce more oil. Too much oil on your skin can clog your pores and lead to acne, so lowering cortisol levels through exercise reduces your risk of breaking out.
• Regulates blood sugar: Regular physical activity stabilizes insulin and sugar levels in your blood. Changes in insulin levels can raise your risk of acne.

Exercise may make acne worse in some people who are more prone to the condition. You may be at a higher risk of acne depending on the following factors:

• Age: Acne can occur at any age, but it’s more common in adolescents because their skin cells produce more oil. 
• Hormones: Hormonal changes during puberty lead to more oily skin, increasing your risk of breakouts. Hormone changes around pregnancy and your menstrual cycle may also cause acne. 
• Family history: Having parents or siblings with acne may increase your risk. 
• Skin type: You may have an increased risk of acne if your skin tends to be more oily.

Environmental factors also affect your acne risk. During a workout, your skin may be exposed to sweat, dirt, and bacteria, which can clog your pores and cause acne. Exercise can worsen acne because of several factors, including:

• Sweat: Physical activity raises your body’s temperature, making you sweat. Sweat can clog your pores when it mixes with oil or dirt on your skin.
• Bacteria: If you touch your face during a workout, your hands may transfer bacteria to your skin. This can happen when you touch exercise equipment and then wipe sweat off your face. 
• Tight clothing: Tight workout clothes can trap sweat, oil, and bacteria between your clothing and skin, clogging pores. Look for breathable fabrics, like cotton, when choosing a workout outfit. 

There are several lifestyle changes and home remedies that can improve or even prevent exercise-induced acne.

Before Your Workout

Prepping your skin before a workout may lower your chances of developing acne. Consider adding the following steps to your pre-workout skincare routine:

• Wash your face to remove any dirt, oil, or makeup. Oil-free makeup wipes can make this step quick and easy.
• Wear sunscreen if you’re going to exercise outside. Look for an oil-free sunscreen to avoid skin irritation. Consider wearing a hat and a long-sleeve shirt for more protection. 
• Choose clean, loose-fitting workout clothes. Sweat and bacteria can live on dirty workout gear. Tight clothing may trap sweat and bacteria on your skin and clog your pores.
• Keep hair away from your face while exercising. Oily, sweaty hair can make your skin greasy and cause an acne breakout.

During Your Workout

Once you begin your workout, there are small changes you can make to protect your skin. Consider the following steps:

• Pat your skin gently when wiping away sweat. Rubbing can irritate your skin.
• Wipe down any shared workout equipment to prevent the spread of bacteria. Most gyms and health clubs provide wipes for this. 
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours when you exercise outdoors. 

After Your Workout

After you exercise, wash your skin as soon as possible. The longer sweat and dirt sit on your skin, the more likely acne will develop. Take the following steps right after your workout:

• Take a warm (not hot) shower. Hot water can irritate and dry out your skin. 
• Wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing your face too harshly. 
• After showering and washing your face, apply a lightweight moisturizer. 
• Wash your workout clothes before wearing them again. 

Consider seeing a dermatologist if home remedies and lifestyle changes have not helped your acne. Dermatologists are medical doctors who specialize in skin conditions. They can prescribe topical or oral medications to treat acne. They can also recommend a personalized skincare routine for you. 

Exercise has several health benefits, including increased blood flow, less inflammation, stabilized blood sugar levels, and improved mood. These benefits can help your skin regulate oil production and repair itself, which may improve your skin health over time.

Exercise may worsen acne in people who are more prone to the condition. When your skin comes in contact with sweat, oil, dirt, and bacteria during workouts, your pores can become clogged, causing a breakout.

To lower your risk of acne from exercise, wash your face before workouts and always wear clean, loose-fitting clothing. Wipe down any shared equipment and avoid touching your face while exercising. Cleanse your skin after your workout and change out of sweaty workout clothes right away.