If we could wear makeup 24/7, we would. Our obsession with bold lips, poppin’ highlighter, and voluminous lashes are real.
But
it’s also important for the skin to have a breather every now and then,
particularly when exercising. We’re all guilty of doing it but there are some things you should know if, like us, you mostly hit the gym
post-work without bothering to take your makeup off.
Why is wearing makeup to the gym bad?
In
order to understand why wearing makeup during your workout is bad for
the skin, it’s important to know why exercise is good for the skin.
Dermatologist,
Dr Daniel Glass says: “Moderate exercise is generally good for your
health and skin. Regular exercise has been linked to longer telomeres,
which is a genetic marker of age – ie. exercise makes you genetically
younger.”
You don’t have to huff and puff until you’re blue in the face to reap the benefits, but according to Lead Developer of Glo Skin Beauty, Amanda von dem Hagen, a little sweat will do your skin good.
As for post-workout, Amanda says to “wash your face with cold water to ensure your pores are clean and closed”.
Well I’m going to wear it anyway, so now what?
Whether
you wear makeup to the gym for a bit of confidence or find getting on the
treadmill chore enough without adding in an extra prep step, we
understand not everyone can sweat it out in bare skin.
So if you are going to wear makeup to the gym, here are some tips to make sure you’re still being as kind to your skin as possible.
Charlotte Holmes, personal trainer and yoga teacher (who you may have seen whipping some bodies into shape on MTV’s Ex On The Beach: Body SOS) says to opt for makeup that’s lightweight and breathable.
There
are even some brands with products formulated specifically for working
out. Clinique has just released a CliniqueFIT range and we’re loving
the Workout Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 40 £29.50. For a mascara that won’t flake no matter what, Sport Waterproof Mascara £19 Eyeko is a must. And Charlotte introduced us to Sport FX, which has all sorts of gym-proof goodies from BB creams to brow pencils.
However,
if you’re a morning-time gym-goer Charlotte still recommends washing
your face post-gym and reapplying your makeup if necessary. “Makeup
meant for gym use shouldn’t just have normal makeup plastered on top –
wash and re-do.”
Miranda Hart, KOBOX London
trainer and personal trainer seconds this, saying “if you’re wearing
makeup to the gym, make sure you cleanse your face right after.”
And
if you’re not wearing makeup specifically formulated for exercise “keep
it as light as you can, maybe a BB cream, or a little concealer in the
places that you feel you need it, but avoid heavy foundation.”
Now go forth and smash your fitness goals!
