By Rachel Hawkins, licensed esthetician, 25+ years · Updated November 2026
Exercise is great for you and your skin. When clients tell me their skin got worse after starting a workout routine, it's almost always about what happens around the workout, not the workout itself.
Why breakouts can follow the gym
Pores clog when oil, sweat and dead skin cells get trapped. Friction from headbands, helmets and straps, plus sweat left on the skin, makes that more likely. Big changes in weight or training can also shift hormones for a while, and that settles down over time.
✨ Ask Rae: Cleanse within 30 minutes after a workout. Sweat left on skin is the real culprit.
My post-workout checklist
- Start with a clean face. No makeup at the gym.
- Use a clean towel and pat, don't rub.
- Wipe down shared equipment before you use it.
- Wash headbands and gear often.
- Cleanse right after your workout with the Extra Strength Cleanser or Gentle Cleanser, then reapply your clarifying step, like Salicylic Acid.
- Exercising outdoors? Wear Morning Moisture SPF 30.
FAQ
Should I wash my face before or after a workout? Both, if you can. At minimum, cleanse soon after.
Is swimming OK? Yes. Rinse off chlorine and moisturize afterward.
Find the right routine for your skin with the Kage skin quiz.
Ask Rae: take the skin quiz and get matched to the right Kage products for your skin, the same way Rachel would in her treatment room.