The reason why you shouldn't wear make-up during exercise as it can damage your skin
New research has revealed the reason why you shouldn’t wear make-up while you exercise - and no, it’s not because it’s difficult to top up your lippy on the treadmill.
Everyone’s different when it comes to cosmetics, with some people preferring to look glam around the clock, while others might like to only slap it on if it’s a VERY special occasion.
Then there’s the committed crew who don’t mind doing a whole spin class in make-up, whether they’ve decided to specifically get ready to go to the gym or simply haven’t had to chance to take it off before working out.
But what does that do to your skin? Surely it can’t be good?
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This is precisely the subject of a new study, which has delved into the impact of wearing foundation make-up during exercise.
The research, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, involved 43 participants who wore make-up on some parts of the face and not on others.
It concluded that - perhaps unsurprisingly - you're best off avoiding the cosmetics if you’re working up a sweat.
But why?
Author Dongsun Park, from the Korean National University of Education, said: “For skin health, it’s best to exercise with your make-up removed.”
The study showed a ‘greater increase in moisture’ levels on areas where make-up was present, compared to those without.
This could in turn lead to make-up preventing moisture from evaporating on the skin.
The research found that, after exercise, the size of pores increased in the areas without make-up, but not as much in the skin sitting below the foundation - indicating make-up can block pores.
It also found an increase in oil production in the make-up free areas, and a decrease in parts covered in foundation, which suggests it can be difficult to maintain ideal oil levels on the skin while wearing make-up.
Finally, the study also showed that the skin of those wearing make-up became more elastic after exercise, compared to those without.
Grace Day, an aesthetician and skincare expert at Beauty Bay, told PA that - despite the study's findings - many people may struggle to refrain from wearing make-up while exercising.
Instead, she advises others to avoid using heavy make-up, and suggests bringing along a facial cleanser.
Day said: “Not wearing make-up just doesn’t feel possible for many of us, for a huge range of reasons. So, to ensure your skin stays glowing on and off the treadmill, your best bet is to cherry-pick the products that won’t be too troublesome to your skin.
“Avoiding heavy make-up, like full coverage foundations, will help to reduce post-workout breakouts. It’s also worth taking your cleanser with you to the gym, so you can cleanse immediately after your session, to get rid of any sweat and bacteria build-up.”
Day said the argument for 'leaving your skin bare' at the gym is rooted to the idea that 'pores remain unclogged and the clean skin can breathe, preventing breakouts that might occur from make-up trapping sweat and bacteria in pores'.
“The increased temperature and sweating caused by exercise opens pores up, which is why they may become blocked by make-up particles, leading to breakouts and uneven skin texture," Day continued.
“There’s also the contact between feet, hands and the floor, required for activities like yoga, cycling and weightlifting, to take into consideration.”
She added that bacteria found at the gym is 'more likely' to cling to make-up than to clean skin, especially as people are prone to touching their face multiple times an hour - in turn increasing the chance of bacteria settling in pores.
Jess Hardiman