Achi news desk-
You probably already know that it’s not a good idea to sleep in a face full of slap.
But why not go to the gym?
Well, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology , it actually does matter whether you go bare-faced or not.
“For skin health, it’s best to exercise with your makeup off,” said study author Dongsun Park, of the Korea National University of Education.
The study, which involved 43 participants, found that compared to the bare skin of gym-goers, skin covered in foundation showed a “greater increase in moisture.”
This could mean that sweat doesn’t have as much of a chance to evaporate under the products.
“The findings suggest that using a foundation cream during aerobic exercise can reduce skin oiliness, causing dryness,” the study also said.
“Additionally, makeup can clog pores.”
Dr. Justine Hextall, consultant dermatologist for La Roche-Posay, told Women’s Health that conditions like these can lead to what she calls “gym acne.”
“Blocked pores can look white and uneven where the so-called closed comedones contain oil that is not exposed to air,” he explains.
“This blocked pore can eventually become inflamed and this is where you would start to see papules (red bumps), pustules, and sometimes deeper cysts.”
Well, life is just a series of cost and benefit judgments; if you’re ok with risking a few spots, then it should be fine.
Experts also say there are ways to reduce your chances of “gym acne” when wearing makeup.
Dermatologist Erin Gilbert told Allure that washing your face with a gentle cleanser before working out can ensure that when your pores open, the makeup won’t be able to hold as much bacteria.
And foundation is important: “Thick, oily foundations or anything that comes in solid concentrations are the worst choice during exercise because they block sweat and sebum from leaving the skin, which in turn leads to for blackheads and acne,” he explained.
Instead, try to highlight where you can and lay off the thick creams and powders – although if going makeup-free is an option for you, you might want to give it a go.
