Wash your face after exercising, experts say

The timing of facial cleansing in relation to exercise is a common point of confusion, but experts emphasize that washing your face *after* a workout is crucial for skin health. This is particularly important to prevent sweat, oil, and bacteria from accumulating and potentially causing breakouts.

If you wear makeup to the gym, removing it before you start sweating is non-negotiable. Mona Gohara, a clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, explains that makeup, especially foundation and heavy sunscreen, can mix with natural oils and sweat. This combination can lead to clogged pores and acne. However, if your skin is clean and makeup-free, there's no need to wash your face beforehand, as over-cleansing can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness and sensitivity.

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When you sweat, those products mix with oil and natural sweat. As a result, pores become more easily clogged and trigger acne.

The most critical cleansing step occurs post-exercise. While sweat itself isn't the enemy, letting it sit on the skin allows it to mix with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. This mixture significantly increases the risk of clogged pores and irritation. Therefore, promptly washing your face after exercising helps rinse away these pore-clogging culprits before they can cause problems.

After cleansing, applying a moisturizer is essential to restore the skin's protective barrier. The washing process, while effective at removing impurities, can also remove natural moisture. Moisturizer helps rebalance the skin, keeping it hydrated and healthy. For those times when immediate washing isn't possible, rinsing the face with clean water serves as a first-aid measure. Alternatively, using a gentle micellar water or alcohol-free cleansing wipes can help. Carrying a hypochlorous acid spray in your gym bag can also offer a quick way to refresh and sanitize the skin.

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Sweat is not the enemy. But when it mixes with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells and is left on the skin, the risk of clogged pores and irritation increases significantly.