While sweat is not the primary cause of skin breakout, it can contribute to it. It's a common occurrence when you find your skin breaking out after a sweaty workout. Sweat causes a specific type of acne breakout known as sweat pimples.

Acne breakouts from sweat are more common when sweat combines with friction from clothing. The good thing is that you can prevent this from happening with these tips for natural skin care for athletes.

Before Your Workout

Always apply oil-free sunscreen before heading out for outdoor exercise. Protecting your skin from the sun is crucial in keeping breakouts at bay. The sun can lead to breakouts because it makes the skin dry out. Consequently, the body produces more oil, which causes clogging of the pores and acne breakouts.

For the best protection, go for a sunscreen that provides:

  • Broad-spectrum to protect you from UVA and UVB rays
  • SPF 30 or higher
  • Oil-free formulation
  • Water resistance

Ensure you also put on clean workout clothes before you start exercising. Bacteria, dead skin, and oils on unwashed sweaty clothes can clog the pores and cause acne. The clothes you wear should also be soft on your skin and ideal for a workout.

Other recommendations for workout wear are loose-fitting and moisture-wicking. This way, they won't cause friction against the skin. Ideal fabrics include:

  • Polyester
  • Micromodal
  • Nylon
  • Bamboo
  • Wool

Avoid anything rubber, cotton, or plastic-based clothes. Cotton is not sweat-wicking, while rubber and plastic materials restrict airflow.

During Workout

Use a clean and soft towel to wipe off sweat as you work out. Instead of rubbing off sweat from your skin, pat it off gently. Being too rough on the skin can cause acne to flare up.

As part of your men's skincare tips, avoid sharing protective equipment like shoulder pads and helmets whenever possible. Such items can be full of acne-causing bacteria and oil, leading to an acne breakout.

Lastly, remember to wipe off shared workout equipment before using it. Shared equipment can have a host of oil and acne-causing bacteria. You can quickly spread pathogens to your skin unknowingly.

After Workout

Consider taking a shower immediately after your workout session to rinse out the sweat and bacteria that may cause acne. This BlackBerry & Salicylic cleanser can help wash your face thoroughly. If you choose any other, ensure that it's oil-free and mild.

Apply the cleaners gently using your fingertips and scrub the face gently. Rain with warm water and avoid using hot water as it irritates the skin and can cause acne flares.

General Skincare and Moisturizing

While these natural skincare tips for men prevent post-workout skin breakout, keeping up with good skincare habits is essential. Remember that acne has many causes, including medication, stress, genetics, and food sources. After taking the above tips, consider going for a dermatologist-recommended skincare routine if you still have acne.

Ensure you have a skincare routine for men that includes washing your skin regularly. Avoid using hot water on your skin as it tends to dry it out, causing flakiness. After washing your face, ensure you apply a carefully selected moisturizer. It'll keep your skin hydrated by locking in the moisture.

 A good moisturizer will help you get rid of blotchy skin and uneven skin tones on your face. It also reduces inflammation and post-acne blemishes.

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