AN EXPERT’S GUIDE TO SKINCARE THAT CAN HANDLE A SWEAT SESSION
We know exercising is good for the mind, body and soul, but have you ever stopped to think about what your skin is doing as you bend, stretch and chase a new personal best? Since we treat our skin with care during our morning and evening routines, it makes sense to extend that philosophy to our workout skincare too.
To get the lowdown on how your sweat sessions affect your complexion — and how to prevent breakouts, irritation and dehydration — we spoke to Elizabeth Japal, founder and skincare expert at The Derma Lab.
“Skincare around training should always be simple, protective, and breathable,” she says. “You want to support your skin barrier, prevent irritation, and remove impurities promptly, but there’s no need to overcomplicate it.”
To make your life easier, we’ve broken down Elizabeth’s pre-, during- and post-workout skincare must-haves — so the only thing you’re thinking about is your next rep, not your skin.
In This Artcle:
- Pre-Workout Skincare
- During A Workout Skincare
- Post-Workout Skincare
- Indoor Workout Vs Outdoor Workout Skincare
- Elizabeth's Japal's Notes on Skin Treatments & Exercise
PRE-WORKOUT SKINCARE: Prep Skin, Don’t Smother
Before you hit the treadmill or lift weights, the products you apply can make a big difference. Thick day creams, oils, or occlusive products can mix with sweat, trapping bacteria and blocking pores — a recipe for breakouts and irritation.
Elizabeth’s advice:
- Avoid heavy creams or oils before working out
Opt for lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturisers or gel-based hydrators to protect the skin barrier without feeling greasy Keep makeup minimal or train makeup-free
“Before exercising, opt for a light, non-comedogenic moisturiser to support the skin barrier without feeling heavy,” says Elizabeth. “Sweat itself isn’t harmful, but when it’s trapped under thick creams or makeup, it can irritate and congest the skin quickly.”
Elizabeth’s Pre-Workout Skincare Must-haves:
919
14.94€
268
15.50€
347
22.43€
Pro tip: Keep makeup minimal. If you need a little, Elizabeth suggests “a dab of concealer, a swipe of lip balm, and maybe mascara — anything heavier will just mix with sweat and increase congestion.”
DURING WORKING OUT: Reduce Irritation and Breakouts
Sweat itself isn’t the enemy — how you manage it is. Friction, bacteria, and repeated touching can trigger irritation or breakouts.
Elizabeth’s Gym-approved habits:
- Keep a clean microfibre sweat towel handy and pat sweat away, don’t rub
- Avoid touching your face mid-workout
Keep hair off your face using headbands or ties
“Hands carry bacteria, and touching your face during workouts can worsen congestion and irritation,” Elizabeth explains. “Even patting the skin too aggressively can cause redness or micro-inflammation, so being gentle is key.”
Elizabeth’s Skincare Must-haves:
3
54.05€
40.25€
More Colours Available
5
37.95€
18
34.50€
POST-WORKOUT: Cleanse, Hydrate and Comfort
After training, sweat, oil, and bacteria linger on the skin. Cleansing and hydration are key to prevent irritation and restore balance.
Elizabeth recommends:
- Gentle cleansers to remove sweat, makeup, and impurities
Lightweight serums or moisturisers (hyaluronic acid is ideal) - Cooling your skin with cold water to reduce post-workout redness
“Sweat left on the skin can irritate, dehydrate and exacerbate congestion. A gentle cleanse followed by hydration helps rebalance the skin and reduce inflammation,” Elizabeth explains. “Post-workout is really the time to give your skin some TLC — hydration and soothing ingredients will help skin to recover quickly.”
Elizabeth’s Post-Workout Skincare Must-Haves:
45.00€
35
15.00€
19
28.75€
29
25.30€
863
36.80€
288
29.90€
7
Recommended Retail Price: 11.30€Current price: 7.91€
INDOOR WORKOUT VS. OUTDOOR WORKOUT
Whether you love an indoor Pilates session or prefer an outdoor Barry’s Bootcamp instead, outdoor training introduces UV exposure and environmental stressors that indoor workouts don’t, so the way you care for your complexion should change to suit where you are.
Elizabeth’s outdoor skincare rules:
Always apply SPF, even on cloudy days - Choose breathable, sweat-resistant formulas
Add antioxidant serums like vitamin C to protect against pollution and free radicals - Reapply SPF for long sessions (90+ minutes), especially in high UV conditions
“UV exposure actually increases during outdoor exercise. A lightweight, sweat-resistant SPF protects the skin without slipping into the eyes,” Elizabeth says. “Layering a vitamin C serum underneath will help defend against pollution and premature aging, too.”
Elizabeth’s Outdoor Skincare Must-Haves
260
38.40€
32
41.98€
5
25.30€
13
69.00€
42
73.60€
53
62.10€
10
25.24€
23
45.20€
Elizabeth’s Note on Treatments & Exercise
If you’ve had aesthetic treatments like microneedling, injectables or skin boosters, exercise can influence results. ““Exercise boosts blood flow, which is great for overall skin health, but right after treatments, it can exacerbate bruising or swelling. Give your skin time to settle,” she advises.
- Intense workouts immediately before or after treatments may increase bruising or swelling
- Avoid hard exercise around treatment time to allow your skin to settle
So, what have we learnt? Keep. Skincare. Simple.
Think of your workout routine as a break for your skin, not a stress test. Cleanse promptly, protect your complexion when you’re training outdoors and let your skin breathe while you sweat. That way, you can focus on smashing your fitness goals and not dealing with congestion, irritation or a post-gym breakout afterwards.
Rina is Cult Beauty’s Midweight SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or a fantasy romance novel, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
