Breaking Out After Working Out? Here’s How to Avoid Beard Pimples
Written By Shaylynn Marks
Who doesn’t love hitting a personal deadlift record? You leave the gym feeling accomplished. You might even take a little longer looking at that hard earned progress in the mirror until you notice something a bit less rewarding. A cluster of beard pimples popped up, so you decided against posting that workout milestone selfie. If you’re breaking out after working out, no, you don’t have to choose between keeping your beard and maintaining your physique. Here’s how to avoid those post-workout breakouts. It’s easier than you think, and it mainly boils down to a few good habits along with a consistent routine.
Andrea Piacquadio via pexels
Why Does Your Beard Break Out After Working Out?
Sweating occurs when you’re pumping iron because it’s your body’s way of regulating your body temperature. But inevitably, that sweat can mix with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, which can contribute to clogged pores.
During a workout, perspiration collects around your chin and jawline. Repeatedly touching your beard or wiping your face while touching and adjusting equipment in between is a quick way to introduce bacteria to your face and irritate your skin.
Friction from chin straps, helmets, and other sports equipment can also aggravate hair follicles, especially when combined with sweat.
Is it Beard Pimples or Something Else?
Not every bump beneath your beard is acne. Several skin conditions can cause similar symptoms, but they don’t necessarily respond to the same treatments.
Generally, beard acne occurs when pores are clogged, and can appear as blackheads, whiteheads, or inflamed blemishes along your cheeks and jawline.
There’s also conditions like folliculitis, which forms from inflamed or infected hair follicles, that often resembles acne. Like beard acne, certain types of folliculitis can occur from sweat and friction. Ingrown hairs are another condition that can cause painful, acne-like bumps.
It’s important to spot the difference because the treatments vary. Never hesitate to reach out to a dermatologist for evaluation.
Andrea Piacquadio via pexels
How to Protect Your Beard and Skin From Post-Workout Breakouts
Start With Better Pre-Workout Habits
If you’re heading to the gym after a long work day, your beard likely already has accumulated oil and debris—maybe even crumbs from lunch (no judgement!).
Gym equipment comes into contact with countless hands, and repeatedly touching your face can transfer that dirt and bacteria to your skin. Throughout your sesh, avoid touching your face as much as you possibly can.
Keep Your Hands and Towels Clean
If you’re the type of guy that sweats to the point of it running down your face, grabbing a towel is probably second nature. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends to gently pat with a clean towel. If you aggressively rub your face and beard with it, you could potentially irritate the skin.
As another layer of caution, don’t use a towel that’s touching the equipment or benches. Keep a separate one just for your face.
And at all costs, avoid picking your blemishes or scratching those irritated areas. Doing so can worsen the risk of inflammation and eventually, scarring.
Always Wash Your Beard After Your Workout
Your post-workout grooming routine plays an important role in preventing breakouts. The AAD recommends showering after exercising to remove any accumulated sweat or oil. Especially for men with beards, don’t just wash the surface. Cleansing should reach the skin beneath your beard.
Choose a gentle beard shampoo and massage it thoroughly through your beard with your fingertips. Pay close attention to your chin and jawline. Rinse the product out completely using lukewarm water and avoid harsh scrubbing. Gently pat your beard dry with a clean towel.
Don’t Forget to Moisturize
Moisturizing might seem counterintuitive if you’re already dealing with excess oil, but it’s still important to keep your skin hydrated.
The AAD recommends non-comedogenic, fragrance-free beard solution for acne-prone skin. Using heavier oils or styling products may contribute to clogged pores, depending on their formula.
The best practice is to apply a small amount of beard oil after patting it dry from washing. Less means more—excessive application can leave unnecessary residue.
Andrea Piacquadio via pexels
What If the Beard Pimples Won’t Go Away?
Acne treatments can averagely take two to three months to produce improvement. So, a consistent, simple routine is key here. If you combine multiple treatments or use heavy scrubs to accelerate the results, it can make matters worse.
If those beard breakouts still persist or worsen, consult with a dermatologist.
Andrea Piacquadio via pexels
Keep Your Beard and Skin in Shape Without Skipping the Gym
You should leave the gym after a good workout feeling the burn, not the breakouts. There’s no need to ditch your fitness goals if you’re breaking out after your workout. Just give a little attention to the habits you make before and during your workout. And most importantly, having a quick and easy post-gym grooming routine will go a long way toward keeping your skin clear and your beard beefy.
