A new study has examined what wearing makeup does to the skin when you workout.

New research has revealed that it is best not to wear makeup during exercise, as it may clog your pores.

A Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology study analyzed how wearing foundation during exercise affects skin and pores.

Forty-three participants wore makeup on some parts of their faces. Moisture levels increased in those areas, which could result from makeup preventing moisture from evaporating on the skin.

After exercise, the size of pores increased in the areas without makeup but not as much in the skin sitting beneath the foundation. This may indicate that makeup blocks pores.

“Remove makeup before exercising for better skin health,” says Dongsun Park from Korean National University of Education.

Oil production increased in make-up-free areas and decreased in foundation-covered regions, indicating a challenge in maintaining proper oil levels.

The skin also became more elastic after exercise for those wearing makeup than those without.

Grace Day, an aesthetician, said avoiding makeup during exercise may be difficult for many women.

She advises people to avoid using heavy makeup and suggests bringing a facial cleanser to their place of exercise.

She said: “Not wearing makeup just doesn’t feel possible for many of us, for many reasons. So, to ensure your skin stays glowing on and off the treadmill, your best bet is to cherry-pick the products that won’t be too troublesome.

“Avoiding heavy makeup, like full coverage foundations, will help to reduce post-workout breakouts. It’s also worth taking your cleanser with you to the gym, so you can cleanse immediately after your session, to get rid of any sweat and bacteria build-up.”

Today, we have explored the scientific rationale behind wearing makeup while exercising more deeply.

“The argument for leaving your skin bare at the gym is rooted in the idea that pores remain unclogged and the clean skin can breathe, preventing breakouts that might occur from makeup trapping sweat and bacteria in pores,” she said.

“The increased temperature and sweating caused by exercise open pores, which is why they may become blocked by makeup particles, leading to breakouts and uneven skin texture.

Activities like yoga, cycling, and weightlifting require contact between feet, hands, and the floor.

Gym bacteria are more likely to cling to makeup than clean skin. People touch their faces often, increasing bacteria settling in pores.