Dermatologist shares skincare mistakes gym-goers should avoid

From applying makeup before exercise to touching your face frequently — here's what you need to stop doing

These common gym habits cab aggravate acne (Source: Getty Images)

It goes without saying that physical fitness is extremely important, but so is maintaining healthy and radiating skin. After all, the skin is the largest organ of our body and requires adequate maintenance, just like any other part. As such, while working out in a gym or exercising at home, we end up forgetting that some of our common habits are avoidable skincare mistakes which can cause acne breakouts.

Talking about the same, Dr Gurveen Waraich took to Instagram to share a list of such common skincare mistakes one should avoid before and after exercising.

*Applying makeup before exercise

*Rubbing face with a towel multiple times (Either dab or use a facial tissue instead)

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A post shared by Dr Garekars (@garekarsmddermatologyclinic)

*Not washing your face or not taking a bath immediately post-workout

*Tight-fitting clothes or headbands

*Touching your face frequently during a workout

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Adding to this, Dr Saurabh Shah, Dermatologist, Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai said, “Using common gym gear (mats, gloves etc) can lead to contraction of bacterial & fungal skin infections. Besides your hydrated, sweaty skin is even more prone for allergies and infection.”

He noted that one should let their body cool off for at least 10-15 mins before taking a shower post-workout. “One may consider a yoga asana like Shavasana for faster cooling off,” he added. Dr Shah also recommends applying a light moisturiser coupled with a sunscreen before stepping out of the gym.

Also Read | | Are you guilty of making these 10 common skincare mistakes?

Concluding, Dr Waraich said that whey protein — a gym staple for many — can also cause acne breakouts. “If not causative, it will definitely aggravate your acne, especially hormonal acne,” she said, adding that “like all other dairy products, whey can spike androgen production in the body leading to more breakouts.” Dr Waraich suggested switching to vegan protein options like pea protein powder.

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