There are so many benefits to getting regular exercise. From maintaining a healthy weight to improving your heart health and uplifting your mood, breaking a sweat is, without a doubt, one of the best things you can do for yourself.
You may also have noticed the positive impact exercise has on your skin. After a workout, your complexion looks radiant and glowing. This is because of the increased blood flow to all your organs – including the skin – during exercise. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells, creating that post-workout glow.
And then there’s sweat… Sweating is a healthy way for the body to release impurities, but it can have a negative impact on the skin. Sometimes, sweating clogs pores, leading to breakouts and other skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.
How can we continue on our fitness journey while protecting our skin from the potential negative effects of sweat? First, we must examine sweat itself more closely.
What happens when you sweat?
Sweating is a natural process that helps the body regulate its temperature. When our core temperature rises during a workout, the glands in our skin produce sweat to reduce the excess heat. Furthermore, sweating removes toxins and impurities from the body. However, these are only trace amounts of toxins, as most toxins are removed from the body by the kidneys and the liver. When sweat reaches the skin, it evaporates, which cools the skin and tissue underneath.
Can sweating have a positive impact on the skin?
Sweat has many negative connotations, but it does have some benefits for the skin. While sweat is mostly water, it also contains substances like amino acids. These act as humectants, locking in moisture to keep skin hydrated and prevent it from drying out. Furthermore, sweat also contains antimicrobial peptides, which help our skin ward off bacteria that try to enter the skin.
How does sweating negatively impact skin health?
While sweating is a natural and healthy process, it has the potential to impact the skin negatively:
Clogged pores: Sweat doesn’t just flush out water; it can also flush out sebum and dead skin cells. If sweat isn’t washed off the skin quickly enough and the combination of oil, moisture, and dead skin cells sits on the surface of the skin for too long, it may settle into and clog pores, leading to breakouts.
Chafing: If sweat is trapped against your skin by your clothing, it can lead to chafing, which is often accompanied by irritation, itching and skin dermatitis.
Dryness: Sweat contains sodium, which may dry out the skin. If you have eczema, sensitive skin, or psoriasis, dryness could cause discomfort or flare-ups.
Irritation: Sweat can irritate skin, particularly when it is trapped in pores or skin folds, leading to clogged sweat ducts.
What can be done?
Firstly – don’t be put off from exercise because of the fear of how sweat may affect your skin. The benefits of regular exercise are endless, and there is plenty you can do to protect your skin from the adverse effects of sweating:
Shower as soon as you can post-workout: Try to shower as soon as you are finished exercising to prevent sweat from sitting on your skin and clogging your pores. If you can’t hit the shower straight away, change out of your workout clothes and put on dry clothes made from a breathable fabric like cotton.
Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water is essential for hydrated skin. When we sweat, our bodies lose water, so it’s important to replenish that water throughout and after your workout. Drink plenty of fresh water and electrolyte drinks to replenish the lost nutrients.
Wash with a salicylic acid cleanser: Salicylic acid is a fantastic ingredient to prevent clogged pores and breakouts. It loosens the bonds between skin cells and unclogs pores by removing excess oil and impurities. Its gentle exfoliating action helps dead skin cells shed naturally, keeping pores clear. By washing the body with a salicylic acid cleanser after working out, you’ll lessen your chances of developing body acne and breakouts. Biomedical Emporium Facial Cleanser is an excellent salicylic acid cleanser for breakout-prone skin and can also be used on the back and chest to prevent breakouts.
Moisturise your skin before exercising: Moisturising your skin before your workout will prevent sweat from drying it out. Opt for a lightweight moisturising product that allows the skin to breathe and sweat freely.
Manage breakouts effectively: Sometimes, despite following all the guidelines, you may still experience the occasional sweat-induced breakout on your back or chest. When this happens, you can treat it like a breakout on your face. Cleanse the area twice daily and apply a serum designed to calm the skin and heal the breakout. We recommend Biomedical Emporium Anti-Acne Serum, which contains a powerful combination of salicylic acid, retinol, niacinamide and tea tree oil to calm skin, decrease sebum production, chemically exfoliate and promote bacterial control.
Sweating during exercise may be inevitable, but skin concerns aren’t. By taking simple precautionary steps, you can prevent breakouts, dryness and skin irritation while getting the most from your workout.
