Research has shown that wearing makeup while exercising can lead to clogged pores
Summary
Research published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in March indicated that wearing makeup while exercising can promote skin problems due to the buildup of sweat and oil caused by clogged pores.
Makeup is an essential element in most people’s lives. Many people don’t leave the house without first applying at least some foundation or concealer. And there is no problem, as long as you take some care, such as always removing these products from your skin before going to sleep. But what about when it comes to physical activity? Do I have to remove my makeup? Do these products cause any type of damage to the skin when used during training? For makeup enthusiasts, unfortunately, the answer is yes, according to a study published in March in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
“Wearing makeup while exercising can promote skin problems due to the buildup of sweat and oil caused by clogged pores. It is the same reason why we recommend removing make-up before going to bed”, explains the dermatologist Claudia Marcalfull member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD) and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
To reach this conclusion, the researchers analyzed the changes caused by physical exercise on the skin of 43 students, 20 men and 23 women aged between 23 and 26. Before starting physical activity, each of the participants received a non-greasy foundation applied to half of the face, specifically in two areas: the forehead and the cheekbone.
The corresponding areas on the other side have been kept clean. With the base correctly applied, participants used a treadmill for 20 minutes. From skin assessments before and after exercise, the researchers could observe increased levels of hydration and elasticity in all areas, but it was greater in the areas with makeup.
“This may be because the foundation prevents water from evaporating through the skin. And the elasticity of the skin can depend on the level of hydration,” says the doctor.
On the other hand, pores, which increased in size on skin without makeup, did not change significantly in the areas with makeup. Furthermore, after physical activity, there was a decrease in the amount of sebum in areas without makeup, but an increase in areas with makeup.
“These changes indicate a possible obstruction of the pores caused by makeup, which favors the accumulation of sebum and sweat that would need to be expelled during physical activity. This situation can predispose to the onset of problems such as irritation and acne,” explains the dermatologist.
Oil levels in the skin
The study also showed that, after exercise, oil levels increased in the skin without makeup, but decreased in the made-up area. “This could mean that wearing makeup while exercising can make it difficult to maintain adequate oil levels in the skin, leading to dryness.”
In other words, ultimately, thinking about skin health, the ideal is not to wear makeup when engaging in physical activity. But more research is needed to confirm the study’s conclusions and even understand the impact of wearing other types of makeup while exercising.
«Perhaps products such as eyeliner, concealer and lipstick are less problematic because they are not applied all over the face», underlines Claudia. Until then, it’s best to avoid wearing makeup for exercise. “If you workout after work, for example, and you already have makeup on, it’s a good idea to use a makeup remover or micellar water to remove the product and allow your skin to breathe properly.”
However, for some people it is really difficult to completely abandon makeup, even for just a few hours while exercising. In these cases it is possible to opt for products such as colored sunscreens or more fluid and less covering foundations.
“And, regardless of the use of make-up, it is essential to adopt some skin products after physical activity to eliminate sweat and impurities, control sebum, restore pH and promote the recovery of skin tissue”, advises the specialist , which specifies that the first step is to cleanse the skin with micellar substances or soaps suitable for your skin type.
«Then the ideal is to use a tonic that helps rebalance the pH of the skin altered by sweat, which is very acidic and can damage the skin tissue and cause dehydration. After the tonic it is advisable to apply a hydrating cosmetic to promote tissue recovery, which may contain antioxidant or calming and anti-inflammatory active ingredients, especially interesting for those who blush during physical activity. Finally, if you intend to expose yourself to the sun, use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from the damage of solar radiation”, adds Claudia Marçal.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
