Ok, We’ve all done it.
A touch of mascara here, a dab of concealer there. Bumping into somebody you know as a sweaty gym mess is tough no matter how much you bench.
Putting our best face forward is one thing but what impact does wearing makeup to the gym really have on our skin? Is it really that bad for us or is it worth the risk?
The resounding response from the skin care world is YES, it is bad for your skin and you should avoid it at all costs.
A couple of things happen to your skin when your heart rate elevates and things get a bit hot under the collar.
You begin to sweat (that’s the obvious one) and there’s a slight relaxation of your skin which enlarges the pores, both not so good for you if there’s makeup involved (even the best kind) because yep you’ve guessed it…clogged pores come next.
This may not lead to a full acne breakout but it will lead to black heads and some uneven skin tones for even the most diligent of facial cleansers.
Ok skin care world we get it, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.
Do’s and Don’ts time
DO NOT go overboard with products, if you find yourself wearing makeup to the gym keep it light and minimal, a BB cream or CC cream would work best with the sweat
DO stay away from colour, lets face it a smoky eye is tricky at the best of times, bright lipstick and dark eyes are a no go for the gym, less is more
DO choose waterproof mascara, this just makes sense
DO use a spot concealer instead of a full foundation, you’ll still get that bit of coverage you need without running the risk of a streaky disaster
DO NOT forget what you’re there for, at the end of the day most people aren’t looking at you, so just train hard and enjoy!