Taking exercise is one of the best ways to stay looking your best. It’s not just about getting a toned body – regular workouts can slow down the ageing process and keep you feeling so good it shows.

The downside to breaking a sweat is breaking out – and when you’ve worked so hard to achieve a muscular body worth showing off, body acne can feel like a nightmare.

Luckily, there are ways to avoid clogging up pores while working out – even if you have blemish-prone skin.

Pre-workout:

#1 Remove makeup and perfumes

Working out in makeup is never a good idea since your skin needs to breathe during exercise. Even if you’re heading straight from the office, always remove makeup.

A simple face wipe may not be enough to remove cosmetics fully. Very few shop-bought wipes contain the ingredients necessary to break down all oils, makeup and dirt from your pores. Since every breakout begins with clogged pores, it pays to invest in a makeup remover equipped with smart technology.

Sites such as Pharmacy Outlet stock a wide range of cleansing oil and water-based makeup removers, ideal for tailoring your makeup removal routine to your individual skin type.

#2 Wash your face and acne-prone areas

Once you’ve removed makeup and unclogged your pores, you should wash problem areas to blast away spot-causing bacteria.

#3 Always wear clean gym clothes

It can be tempting to reuse your activewear – after all, you’re only going to sweat again, right?

Actually, wearing tight-fitting lycra for more than one workout is a recipe for breakout disaster, since the dirt and bacteria trapped in your clothes will harbour germs overnight – then come back into close-fitting contact with your skin.

#4 Wipe down the equipment you use

Most gyms clean their equipment at the end of each day – so unless you’re first in the door, you will be touching equipment covered with the sweat and bacteria of other gym users. Carry some antibacterial wipes to minimise your contact with germs.

#5 Stay nourished and choose smart supplements

There is a surprising link between whey products and acne – so if you’re relying on whey-based supplements, this could be contributing to your breakout woes.

Instead, try a custom meal plan to find out how you can get all the protein you need from a balanced diet packed with complexion-boosting nutrients.

Post-workout:

#1 Take a shower at the gym

Your gym has a shower block for a very good reason, and it’s not just so you can avoid harbouring body odour.

Showering and changing out of your gym clothes clears your pores from the effects of oil and sweat. Regular car journeys in your skin-tight gym clothes could be the reason you’re still breaking out.

#2 Wash your face the right way

It goes without saying that you should never skip the post-workout face wash – but how you wash and cleanse can make a huge difference to the results you see.

Use a gentle cleanser and stay away from skin-drying ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate. A cooling facial wash infused with tea tree oil can help to banish bacteria and prevent inflammation.

Finally, splash your face with a spritz of cool water to close your pores again, preventing new grime from gaining an entrance.

#3 Keep salicylic acid pads in your gym bag

These are the secret weapon of many daily gym-goers. The smart formula helps to prevent breakouts by dissolving the dead skin cells and keratin plugs that lead to clogged pores.

Keep a pack of these pads in your gym bag and use them before moisturising.

#4 Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated keeps your skin looking radiant. Water flushes out toxins, helps your skin to “self-moisturise” and keeps your skin cells functioning properly. Aim to drink around 1.2 litres of water per day, avoiding caffeinated beverages.