Ask A Dermatologist: How Does Exercise Affect Your Skin?

To quote the noughties classic Legally Blonde, “exercise gives you endorphins”. Elle Woods was right about that, but exercise does much more besides. It keeps you healthy, can help clear your mind and balances hormone levels.

Whether you’re a certified gym bunny, a casual swimmer or just a fan of the #hotgirlwalk, exercising in any way shape or form is good for the mind, body and soul – but what about your skin? Today on The Dose, we take a look at the effects exercise has on your skin, and give you our top pre and post-workout skincare tips.

Skincare for the gym

While we love to imagine that getting plenty of exercise keeps our skin clear, that isn’t always the case. Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Malvina Cunnigham, explains that “breakouts can be caused by excessive sweating and build-up of oil, dirt and bacteria which can cause or worsen acne.” 

This means that if you’re exercising regularly and not cleansing thoroughly afterwards, oil may build up and lead to tell-tale spots. Acne on your forehead can also be caused by exercising regularly, getting sweaty, and a build-up of oil in the hairline. Wash your hair regularly and make sure you use a gentle cleanser to keep your skin clean and fresh after exercise.

Dr Malvina also suggests that acne mechanica (a type of acne caused by friction and pressure on the skin) is commonly associated with exercise, “the pilosebaceous unit – the hair follicle and its accompanying oil gland unit that are implicated in acne formation. Irritation to the pilosebaceous follicles can lead to comedo (whitehead or a blackhead) formation.”

Skincare for swimming

Lido, leisure centre or lake, it’s a good idea to prep your skin beforehand. An easy way to protect the delicate skin on your face is with an occlusive moisturiser for a protective layer on your skin – some light slugging is fine here! Most moisturisers have occlusive properties – the thicker the texture of your moisturiser, the more occlusive it is. Sunscreen is non-negotiable when you’re outside, and you’ll need to regularly reapply the factor 30+ throughout the day. 

In addition to your post-swim shower, it’s also a good idea to pack some skincare minis into your gym bag – these can be refilled from your full-size favourites over and over again. Remember, cleansing is the best thing you can do for your skin after swimming. It soothes and rinses away any chemicals, pollutants or salt.

Chlorine can have a big effect on your skin too. It’s great for keeping public pools clean, but not so great for your skin – it strips away all-important moisture. If you’ve ever felt dry and itchy after taking a dip, now you know why. The best thing you can do is to wash immediately after swimming in a chlorinated pool. Follow up with a moisturising body lotion and your skin should be fine. The same advice applies to salt water, which dehydrates the skin. Prepare your skin beforehand with an occlusive moisturiser, generously and regularly apply sunscreen, and follow up with a thorough cleanse afterwards. 

Chlorinated water and natural salt water can also have an effect on your hair and scalp. It’s best to wet your hair in a shower before you get into a pool (or any other body of water) as this prevents further water absorption (a swimming cap helps too!) and wash it well afterwards.

Skincare for outdoor exercise

If you’re running around your local park, hiking up a hill or going for a walk around the block, there’s nothing like the great outdoors. We all know how important green spaces are to our mental health, and the same goes for our skin. 

Dr Malvina explains “Spending time outside is a natural stress and anxiety reliever. Stress causes a chemical response in our bodies which leads to skin inflammation and sensitivity, it also triggers issues like acne, rosacea or eczema and slows down the skin’s natural ability to heal itself. Meaning skin issues are prolonged which leads to increased stress. Therefore, the less stress you have the happier your skin will be – so get outside in nature as much as you can.”

Exercising outdoors also means you’re getting a good dose of much-needed sunlight exposure, enabling your body to produce vitamin D. It’s essential for us to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate and helps to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Just ensure you protect your skin with a hat and regular sunscreen application.

Final thoughts

Exercise has countless benefits for your mind and body, but your skin goes through a lot when you exercise. Make sure you’re looking after it properly, before, during and after your session, and stay consistent with your routine. Now go and enjoy that post-workout glow!