Exercise-related acne is not uncommon, it can be the result of a combination of different factors, if you find your skin is aggravated by your regular exercise routine or your profession may require you to be physically active for long periods of time such as dance or sports you may find it helpful to consider the following common acne triggers.

What’s on my skin?
When exercising, your body temperature increases increasing blood circulation which is fantastic for over all health, with this heat and increase in body temperature the pores within the skin are likely to dilate allowing more toxins to be removed from the body through sweat but also allowing more impurities into the dermal layer especially if you have product on your skin at the time of working out, this is going to block pores and and aggravate sebum production resulting in agravated acne.

Make-up
Wear as little make-up as possible, often it’s the makeup on your face that is going to be a big acne aggravator when getting sweaty, the ideal would be to go skincare naked but this is not always possible.  Even oil-free and non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) makeup can black pores if worn while working out. And always cleanse thoroughly after your work out to remove sweat and sebum build up.

Sun protection
We all need sun for well being but lets be sensible, if you are exercising outside like jogging for longer than 20 minutes use sun protection of a minimum spf 15. Waterproof sunscreens are a big pore blocker and contribute to acne flair ups so choose mineral sun care which are less pore clogging and gentler to the skin. Some acne medication and products make the skin more photo sensitive, so please don’t skip the sun care if you are using these types of products just double cleanse the skin when you are done.

Sweat
Sweating is good for the skin, the removal of toxins from the body is great and salt is a great skin purifier, actually washing with salt water is a great natural acne treatment, but make sure you wash soon after working out to remove all those impurities and help prevent the pores from becoming blocked, but don’t forget to apply moisturiser, too much cleansing is going to leave your skin feeling dry.

Reduce bacterial contact, cover equipment with a clean towel and wash your hands after working out, we all regularly touch our face with our hands.

Other key acne and exercise triggers
High levels of protein in your diet
Workout drinks, high sugar energy drinks and bars, 
Hormonal levels can be altered through regular intensive exercise which is one of the biggest factors when it comes to acne.
Go natural with your products all those synthetics blocking pores is only going to agravate