In recent years, pre-workout supplements have become a staple in the fitness community, with many gyms goers shugging the drink before their workouts in order to boost their energy levels and improve their strength and endurance.
However, if you’re a skincare enthusiast, you may be questioning whether this popular supplement could be contributing to your breakouts. So, is there a link between pre-workout and acne? Let’s find out.
Understanding acne and its triggers
Acne is a complex inflammatory condition that affects your hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Basically, it happens when your pores get clogged, which leads to an outbreak of pimples.
According to Dr Kirsty Wallace-Hor, a GP Specialist at Software, “There’s still uncertainty about what exactly causes it. We know androgens (sex hormones) stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce sebum but there are other factors involved, such as genetics, acne bacteria and the immune response. How these factors work together to cause acne in some people but not others is not fully understood.
“We know that acne flares can be caused by things like hormonal changes and skin products that block pores. However, there is also evidence that skin trauma, increased humidity, stress, insulin resistance and some dietary habits could contribute to flares. Specifically, high levels of dairy intake and diets with high glycaemic foods could trigger breakouts.”
Is there a link between pre-workout and acne?
Pre-workout supplements typically contain a mix of ingredients like caffeine, creatine, amino acids, nitric oxide boosters, artificial sweeteners and, sometimes, whey protein.
Dr Wallace-Hor mentions, “If your pre-workout contains whey protein, it could be contributing to your dairy intake. It’s less obvious what role other ingredients could play when it comes to acne. It’s possible that caffeine could contribute to stress.
“Whilst artificial sweeteners have a glycaemia index of zero, they may affect insulin levels. However, there isn’t much evidence from trials on the significance of this.”
So the ingredients in pre-workouts could theoretically influence acne, but there is no strong evidence to suggest they directly cause breakouts. However, some of your other workout habits could contribute to your breakouts, and adjusting them may help you achieve clearer, smoother skin.
How to prevent acne as a gym goer
If you’re experiencing persistent breakouts, consider adopting these habits:
- Shower after every workout: Always shower immediately after exercising to remove sweat and bacteria from your skin, preventing it from clogging your pores.
- Wipe down equipment: Do it before and after use to prevent bacteria build-up. Try, as well, to keep your hands off your face, so you don’t transport bacteria onto your skin.
- Wash your workout clothes regularly: Use hot water to thoroughly clean your workout clothes and remove bacteria.
- Use oil-free skincare products: Choose oil-free sunscreens and skincare products to avoid blocking your pores.
- Keep hair off your face: Sweat and oil from your hair can contribute to acne, so tie it back during workouts.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking water helps flush out toxins and keeps your skin healthy.
“If you are getting persistent breakouts, it’s important to see your healthcare provider as there are good treatment options to help get acne under control and reduce the risk of complications like scarring,” Dr Wallace-Hor recommends.