Exercise: ! Way to Decrease Your Breakouts

Ever thought you could decrease your breakouts simply by exercising? Moderate exercise not only helps your body, but it decreases your stress level and the breakouts accompanying stress.

According to WebMD , the adrenal glands produce less of testosterone related hormones. These hormones (DHEA and DHT) seem to be part of stress related breakouts. "There's a lot of indirect evidence that shows that when you exercise your level of stress diminishes. So your adrenal glands are producing less of these male-type hormones that are part of any acne flare-up," says David Berman, MD, medical director and dermatologic/cosmetic surgeon at the Berman Skin Institute, Palo Alto, Calif.

Acne and Exercise

Some people complain exercise causes their acne breakouts. If this is true for you, you may want to examine your exercise routine.

What do you wear?

Where do you go?

How hard do you work out?

When acne flare-ups happen during exercise, it is usually caused by something you wear or put on your body. Not the exercise itself.

If you change the external factors, what you wear and use on your skin, odds are you can put an end to your acne breakouts during exercise.

Possible Culprits To Watch

· Make-up

· Sunscreen

· Workout Clothing

· Perfumed Shower Gels

· Wet Clothing

Make-Up and Exercise

When exercising, skip the make-up or wear just a light layer. Sometimes even the lightest oil free or non-pore clogging make up can be a problem. With the skin trying to cool itself by sweating the make-up can slide into pores and clog them. At the end of your exercise session, gently cleanse your skin to remove sweat, dirt and make up.

Sunscreen

It's well known sunscreen can prevent premature aging and sunburn. When you're outside wear an oil free sunscreen with a minimum rating of SPF 15 not just for UVA rays, but UVB rays as well.

Sun sensitivity is a side effect of some acne medications, so sunscreen is especially important to prevent damage to your skin. One old wives' tale was sunlight would help your acne. Research has shown acne is aggravated by sun exposure.

Your Workout Clothing

If acne breakouts occur under your workout clothing, then look at clothing made of cotton or a synthetic with moisture wicking capabilities. Cool-Max is just one of the synthetic materials made to wick away moisture. Clothing made entirely of lycra or nylon trap heat and moisture on your skin. This makes an ideal growing environment for bacteria in the pores.

When you're done exercising get out of your damp workout clothing. So whether it's treadmill, walking, biking, swimming or playing tennis take those wet clothes off your skin. Bacteria grow best in warmth and moisture.

Perfumed Shower Gels

Sometimes when your skin is irritated, it can be more sensitive than other times. Perfumed shower gels can cause additional irritation in some people. If you've eliminated workout clothing as a possible cause of acne flare-ups, look at changing your shower gel or soap. You may be better off using a non-scented cleanser until your skin is less irritated.

After working out, shower as soon as possible. Be gentle with your skin. You don't need to scrub your skin. Vigorous scrubbing can lead to additional irritation causing existing pimples to spread.

If you can't shower, then change into dry clothing as soon as possible. Blot your face or skin don't rub. Rubbing yourself dry can drive sweat, bacteria and grime into your pores.

With exercise you're working to keep your stress levels lower and give yourself a healthy body as well. By decreasing your stress and moving towards a healthy body you're also helping your skin stay healthy. Minimize your triggers for exercise related acne breakouts. As you remove your triggers for exercise related acne breakouts you'll soon be on your path to workouts without acne breakouts.