Our skin’s pores normally enlarge when we exercise, but this appears to be hindered if we are wearing make-up, which may prevent the release of healthy oils
By Sara Novak
6 March 2024
Exercising while wearing foundation can change our skin’s characteristics
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Wearing foundation while exercising may affect the health of the skin by changing its pore size and the subsequent release of sebum, which plays a role in keeping it healthy.
Sukho Lee at Texas A&M University, San Antonio, and his colleagues recruited 43 college students, 20 men and 23 women. The participants first washed their faces with a cleanser. The researchers then measured skin variables on different areas of their faces, including pore size and sebum production.
Next, a single layer of foundation was applied to all the participants’ faces, either their foreheads or cheeks, depending on which they preferred.
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They then did a moderate 20-minute workout, consisting of running on a treadmill for 5 minutes at 3 miles per hour (mph), for 10 minutes at 4 mph and for 5 minutes at 5 mph.
After the workout, the researchers repeated the various skin measurements, finding that sebum was reduced on the areas with foundation compared with those without make-up.