If you’ve sweated it out at the gym with a little foundation, you’re not alone. A recent British study found that more than 65 percent of women wear makeup to work out. And we get it. You might not have enough time to wash off your makeup before you jet to Zumba after work, or maybe you just want to look your best in your a.m. spin class, but unfortunately, wearing makeup to the gym can make skin worse.
It’s a classic Catch-22: The more makeup you wear to the gym, the greater risk you have for clogged pores, blackheads and breakouts, which means the more likely you are to need makeup for your next gym session. And while normally a good idea, even non-comedogenic products aren’t guaranteed to keep you in the clear. These product claims only stand true under the conditions under which these products are tested, and don’t take into account the moisture, heat, salt and repeated wipe-downs with a rough hand towel that happen at the gym.
If you’re working out in the morning, cleanse your face, but avoid any heavy products that will smear and sweat off. If you’re working out after a day of wearing makeup and can’t fully wash your face beforehand, wipe your face with an eye cloth as soon as possible after exercising, then wash and treat skin as you normally would. If a little coverage while you sweat is non-negotiable, try mineral peptides, which are more breathable and even offer sunscreen protection if you’re exercising outdoors or near a window.
In the long run, intelligent, daily skincare is the path to looking your best both in and out of the gym.
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