Buzz
I skip makeup during workouts, but I don’t criticize others—especially after noticing a gym regular who always wore bold makeup and had incredible skin. Whatever her routine was, it clearly worked! Still, I’ve heard debates about whether exercising with makeup harms your skin.
There’s a common belief that makeup clogs pores, leading to acne when you sweat. However, dermatologist Fayne Frey clarifies that this isn’t necessarily true:
From my years of clinical practice, my understanding of research on ‘acne cosmetica,’ and my personal experience (I wear makeup and exercise intensely), I’ve found that the ingredients and formulation of your makeup or moisturizers play a bigger role in causing clogged pores.
In essence, certain products may potentially lead to acne (though proving this is quite challenging!), but the mix of makeup and sweat isn’t the culprit.
Interestingly, sweat alone isn’t to blame either. Research, such as this study, shows that even if you stay in your sweat for hours (which sounds like an interesting experiment to be part of), your chances of developing bacne don’t increase compared to showering immediately post-workout.
