Acne is a common nuisance, especially amongst people with oily skin. Sweating in some people tends to further aggravate or form new acne. This can occur while exercising, or simply by breaking into a light sweat on a day-to-day basis. Once you identify the cause, sweat-related acne can be treated and even be prevented.
Development
According to DoctorGoodSkin.com, acne and sweat are not directly related. Sweating does not necessarily mean you will get acne and is not the only cause of acne. You have sweat glands that excrete sweat as a natural cooling mechanism. Acne develops as a result of excessive oil becoming trapped in the hair follicles in your pores.
Cause
Sweat can worsen a preexisting acne condition. Sweat-related acne is also common in areas of your body in which there is friction. For example, if you wear snug clothing made of unnatural fibers while working out, you may find that acne forms in that particular area. This type of acne is known as acne mechanica. Acne mechanica can also occur if you roughly cleanse your face or body.
Misconceptions
There is a misconception that sweating can help relieve your acne, reports DoctorGoodSkin.com. It is thought that sweat can clean out your pores, resulting in a skin clear up. However, sweating does not treat the underlying cause of acne, which is the overproduction of oil.
Prevention
Wear loose-fitting clothing made of cotton so that your skin can breathe easier when you exercise. Generally, this is a solution for anyone who sweats more than usual. This way your sweat will not get trapped on your skin and cause acne. Take a shower and wash your face as soon as you have an opportunity. However, you do not want to shower or wash your face too often, as this can increase oil production, thereby increasing your chance of acne formation.
Treatment
If your choice of clothing and careful hygiene does not alleviate the problem, consider using over-the-counter acne products. Look for products that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Apply a spot-treatment once or twice a day to the affected area. Also try a body wash, such as Neutrogena Acne Wash to use after workouts or other times that you sweat. If these methods prove ineffective, your acne may require a prescription from a dermatologist.
Member Comments