We know, we know — you’re hitting the gym after work and can’t deal with the hassle of taking off your makeup before your kickboxing or yoga class.

We totally get it.

But that does not make it okay.

“When you work out, your pores and sweat glands open up in order to cool down your body,” says Whitney Bowe, an M.D., dermatologist, and host of DermTV.com. “Wearing a full face of makeup can block your pores and glands, hindering your skin’s ability to breathe, which in turn can result in breakouts, blackheads, and skin irritation.”

Even if you can’t make it to a sink for a proper pre-workout clean, consider one of the umpteen makeup-removal wipes available. Not ideal, but it’s better than nothing.

A Handy Mid-Workout Tip

Not to send you into a panic or anything, but the majority of gyms out there are breeding grounds for bacteria.

  •        63% of gym equipment is teeming with the Rhinovirus (the main culprit for the common cold)
  •        Free weights can be infected with up to 74% more bacteria than a public toilet

To prevent picking up some bug at the gym, keep your hands away from your face during your workout. Giving your hands a thorough scrub every twenty minutes or so isn’t a bad idea either.

LUNA mini 2 is your choice if you are looking for a gentle and soft cleansing brush.

The Afterglow

“Washing your face immediately after the workout should be non-negotiable,” says Rachel Nazarian, M.D., Mount Sinai Hospital, Department of Dermatology.

And the splash-and-dash technique will not rid your face from the viruses and bacteria that may have climbed into your sweaty pores.

“You should do more than gently wipe your face dry after class,” says Elizabeth Hale, M.D., NYC dermatologist and co-founder of Complete Skin MD. “Bacteria and oils also accumulate during a workout, and when they linger on your skin, you may be more prone to breakouts.”

The Skinny on a Proper Face Wash

Celebrity esthetician and skincare expert, Renée Rouleau, recommends that we “…wash with a mild gel cleanser as this will help thoroughly remove oil, toxins, and sweat.” She also cautions us to “avoid cleansers that contain Sodium or Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate. These ingredients will pull water out of the skin’s cells, leaving it dehydrated.”

It is also advisable to wash with warm water. Hot water can dry out the skin, especially skin already heated from a workout. Also, pat dry. Do not rub. Too much scrubbing can irritate your face.

Something else to keep in mind is what to clean your face with. Washcloth? Hands? Dining room curtains?

Silicone Super-Gadget Promises a Super-Clean Face

LUNA mini 2 will cleanse your face in 1 minute!

The FOREO LUNA mini 2 face cleaner and massager burst onto the scene a few years back and made a huge splash. Its soft silicone bristles are up to 35x more hygienic than cotton towels or nylon bristles. Silicone is also a lot gentler on the skin. Adding T-sonic power to the facial cleaner makes it even better. And the fact that the mini 2 cleans your face in only a minute puts it over the top.

With thousands and thousands of glowing online reviews, people are raving about how gently the LUNA cleans your pores and how the sonic pulses give your face that little something extra. The LUNA also lasts up to 300 uses on a single charge… And then there’s the rainbow of colors.

And that’s your refresher course on pre- and post-workout face cleaning, done.

See you at the gym…without makeup.

Get your LUNA mini!