Clogged pores are the main cause of acne, but sweat may be a contributing factor in some circumstances. There’s no straight answer to the question “Does sweating cause acne?”, because it can, but only in certain circumstances.
Exercise has a positive effect on the entire body, but sweat may increase the likelihood of acne for some people. Find out how to avoid acne breakouts that could be caused by sweating.
Does Sweating Cause Acne?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sweat does not cause acne on its own. The trigger is friction against the skin. This may be caused by sports equipment like helmets or even by headbands used to keep your hair out of your face while working out.
Friction can even cause acne for people who bike while wearing backpacks: pimple formation on the areas under the straps is accelerated by sweating. Rubbing your skin during the shower you take after your workout can also increase the chances of acne.
Wearing makeup while you work out can also fall into one of the big causes of acne related to sweat. Oily makeup has a higher risk of causing acne, but even water-based makeup can contribute to the buildup in your pores.
Does sweat cause acne? While it doesn’t cause acne on its own, friction and makeup can increase the likelihood of acne after long workouts, so try to avoid them instead of looking for acne remedies once you’re already faced with the issue.
Causes of Acne
Overproduction of oil by the skin’s glands, bacteria buildup and irregular shedding of dead skin are the main causes of acne, but sweating, along with some other factors can increase the risk of this skin problem.
If you’re wondering what causes pimples, you need to know that diet and medication can also contribute to acne formation. Hormone levels are also linked to acne, most often during puberty, but they can also be influenced by pregnancy and even oral contraception.
Certain makeup products can increase the risk of acne, along with improper care of makeup brushes, which leads to bacteria buildup in your makeup tools and on your skin.
Acne Remedies
After you’ve done all you can to prevent acne, including making sure your sweaty hair doesn’t touch your face too much during a workout, you can try a few simple acne remedies that fight the problem best when you also eliminate causes of acne.
Topical treatments with benzoyl peroxide, sulfur or salicylic acid are the best way to go, but in severe cases, dermatologists also prescribe antibiotics.
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