Sweat, Skin, and Science: Why Post-Workout Skincare Matters

There are many myths and misconceptions about exercise and its effects on the skin, like the idea that sweat directly causes breakouts or that bacteria in the gym can lead to acne. Let’s explore the facts, dispel misunderstandings, and outline an effective post-workout skincare routine to support the skin's recovery so your post-workout glow comes from more than just sweat.

The first, and most important step in your post-workout skincare routine is cleansing. Any time your skin is dirty, the buildup of oils, and impurities on the skin can clog pores leading to breakouts. But using harsh cleansers that strip the skin of its natural oils can irritate and weaken the skin barrier, potentially causing breakouts.

During the Prep stage of your post-workout skincare regimen, choose a gentle yet effective face wash like our Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, formulated to effectively cleanse the skin whilst maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier. Follow these tips for cleansing:

• Cleanse immediately after sweating: Cleansing with a gentle face cleanser will maintain the skin barrier’s balance, helping to prevent excessively oily or dry skin that heavy sweating can contribute to.


• Avoid hot water: Use lukewarm water, as hot water can disrupt the skin barrier, causing irritation and further dryness. Hot water can also exacerbate the look of redness.


• Double cleanse if needed: If you’ve been sweating heavily or wearing makeup, consider double cleansing. Start with an oil-based cleanser or cleansing balm, like our Squalane Cleanser, to break down makeup and remove sweat.

Even with a gentle, hydrating cleanser , skin can still lose moisture, especially after sweating, and even more so for those with naturally dry skin. Hydrating immediately after washing helps replenish the lost moisture, reinforcing the skin barrier and maintaining balance.

Hydrating treatments like Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 help to support the barrier, and boost hydration. Well-hydrated skin also promotes healthy skin renewal, while restoring a radiant, youthful appearance.

Sweat Causes Breakouts: Myth

While it’s a common misconception, sweat itself doesn’t directly cause clogged pores or blemishes, but when it mixes with oils and dirt on the skin’s surface, it can contribute to blockages.

As sweat sits on the skin, it can mix with dead skin cells and environmental debris, leading to the accumulation of impurities and creating an ideal environment for clogged pores This buildup in the pores—not the sweat itself—is what can lead to blemishes like blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples. To help prevent new acne blemishes from forming, our Salicylic Acid 2% Solution helps to encourage natural shedding of dead skin, clearing pores and improving the appearance of visible redness and comedones.

Germs From the Gym Cause Breakouts: Inconclusive

Beyond cultivating strength and muscle, the gym can also be a breeding ground for germs, and it’s easy to assume that this environment could contribute to face or body acne.

The reality is, that bacteria already live everywhere—including on our skin—and unless they’re the specific kind that causes acne, being in the gym won’t necessarily lead to breakouts. If anything, the real risk is catching a cold, which can happen just as easily outside the gym.

Working Out Can Cause Redness: True 

Exercising increases blood flow which causes blood vessels to expand to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the skin. The dilation of the skin’s blood vessels is what makes the skin appear red, even more so for those with fair or sensitive skin. Also, as body temperature rises during physical activity, the skin’s blood vessels widen to help release heat, further contributing to redness.

Friction and Trapped Moisture From Clothing Can Cause Breakouts: Inconclusive

Moisture and friction from gym clothing or sports equipment might seem like direct causes or contributors to face and body acne, but they typically don’t lead to breakouts unless you’re already acne-prone. If you are, breakouts can be exacerbated by pressure, tight moisture-trapping fabrics, friction or heat.

To minimize irritation and potential breakouts, ensure your gym clothes and towels are clean and dry. For additional barrier support, try our Soothing & Barrier Support Serum that uses a multi-action solution to repair the skin barrier and soothe discomfort with hydration.

No skincare routine is complete without daily sun protection. If you exercise outdoors, swim, or spend time in the sun post-workout, reapplying sunscreen as directed is important—even on cloudy days. Up to 80% of UV rays can still penetrate through clouds and reach your skin.

The same post-workout skincare guidelines for your face, also apply to your body. Our Body Care Collection features 3 formulations that address common body skin concerns, including clogged pores, skin texture, dryness, and uneven tone. After sweating and cleansing, replenishing moisture helps maintain a strong skin barrier, reducing the risk of barrier damage or irritation. Lightweight and non-greasy body lotions like our Natural Moisturizing Factors + Inulin Body Lotion provide instant, and all-day surface hydration that strengthens the skin barrier after one application.

Body acne is another common concern for those who work out regularly, because excessive sweating and friction in tight gym clothing traps dirt and oil, and can lead to breakouts if you are already acne-prone.

Using formulations that contain exfoliants like our Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum helps to clear up and prevent acne, while smoothing skin texture. To help even the appearance of skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots left behind from blemishes, our Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion targets the appearance of dark spots across the face, neck, chest and arms for a more uniform tone across face and body.

To help prevent irritation and maintain a clear complexion, it’s important to protect and support your skin with a complete post-workout skincare routine. Use a face wash after workout that is non-stripping to remove sweat, excess oils, and impurities without disrupting the skin barrier. Cleansing after sweating can lead to moisture loss, so replenishing hydration is key to maintaining balance and supporting recovery.

Formulations that contain salicylic acid help to unclog pores. To reduce the look of irritation, formulations like our Soothing & Barrier Support Serum soothe and address damaged skin barrier concerns.

Finally, sun protection plays an important role, defending your skin from UV damage and  helping to maintain healthy-looking skin. Just like exercise, skincare requires consistency and following a post-workout skincare routine will help prevent breakouts, improve hydration, and promote your skin’s healthy look and feel.