Running is making my skin a mess. What to do?

[Alaiyo]

I see on the poll that running is apparently making people's skin brighter and better-looking, but that isn't happening for me. In fact, I am getting continually worse breakouts since I started running. I always wash my face before my runs, and shower afterwards. Any suggestions?

[Nevertoolate Graduate]

Hello there. I don't know which week you're on, but I've just finished week two. Last week I found my cheeks broke out in small red spots. I put it down to the beetroot face I have at the end of each run. I don't think my skin and blood-vessels were ready for that sort of effort! Now they appear to have gone away. Is yours a longterm problem though, or is it perhaps just a question of waiting a bit? If the former perhaps your GP could advise. Good luck!

[Alaiyo Graduate in reply to Nevertoolate]

I am on week 8 now, but I guess I could try patience, and then perhaps see the dr if needed.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Does this mean you are washing your face more? It is possible that this is resulting in more than your skin can take, especially if the products you are using don't suit your skin.

I seem to remember my skin wasn't great for a while early in the programme - when the poll started I saw 'brighter skin' and thought 'not for me'

[Alaiyo Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

A very good point, I am definitely washing my face more. I will try to stay with mild cleansers, but I am afraid to go out with any make-up, dirt, oil or cream on my face - that just seems like a recipe for skin disaster.

[Greg_M Graduate]

I am sure some one else will chip in but I am sure a few others have said exactly the dame and that it passes.

Try the search, its in here somewhere.

[Alaiyo Graduate in reply to Greg_M]

Thanks, the other question "Spots!" was very interesting.

[Nickyrunning Graduate]

I'm the same, in fact I seem to be getting every new affliction there is! I'm still going though, which is even more amazing!

[Alaiyo Graduate in reply to Nickyrunning]

Good luck to you. If you are getting every affliction, at least you can help others believe it is still worth it for them to try.

[RhonaL]

I would guess this is like the effect of having a facial. The blood supply is being forced to the surface of your face and 'impurities' are forced out. I would let your pores close after a run before putting anything on it - I just rinse with water when I get back.

It may also be and the running is having a slight effect on your hormonal balance and this should settle down soon. Ruuning has helped with my perimenopausal symptoms in conjunction with my herbalist's prescription.

[Hidden in reply to RhonaL]

I hope it will soon help with my perimenopausal symptoms too! What has been prescribed for you herbally?

[Alaiyo Graduate in reply to RhonaL]

That is probably true - certainly my face gets red, and that would be blood near the surface. It has been 8 weeks, but maybe I have more than my share of impurities to cleanse. And yes, my hormones could be all out of whack. I would believe that.

[Anonymous36 Graduate]

I have a whacking great huge spot on my chin right, no kidding, its big enough to have a pulse of its own! I have never, ever suffered with spots and its about 2-3 years since my last one. I blame the rise in temperature along with the beetroot face which is sweating profusely. I can cope with it in the short term, I have so many positives which far outweigh this volcano sized eruption

[Alaiyo Graduate in reply to Anonymous36]

This is true. I would keep running for all the other benefits, even if my skin stays all messed up.

[SaCl Graduate]

For me the problem results when I use suncream. I've been using toner more regularly. It seems to clear the pores better.

[Alaiyo Graduate in reply to SaCl]

Yes, toner. I've heard of that. Really should be using it, I think!

[didntrunthat Graduate]

Around the same time I started running I also started suffering from terrible breakouts. I usually found a new exercise routine cleared out my pores and left my skin fresher, so I have never been certain whether or not to put this down to running or something else. The only difference I can think of is that I would have normally exercised indoors before, but I run outside in the city so maybe that has had an impact.

I would have got spots before on my t-zone once a month or so, but last year, they spread to my cheeks also and just seemed to be there constantly and in patches - I never had a clear face! As well as this I had break outs on my back, chest, shoulders, upper arms and thighs.

I had changes to my contraceptive pill a couple of times last year, well as coming off it completley for a few months, due to numerous medication changes that clashed with that, but even when I was back on to what I was taking before the break outs things didn't settle down, which makes me suspect that it was down to running after all...

My GP perscribed me a lotion to use that is great! I have had very little bother since. I've been using it for about 10 weeks now and can count the no. of spots I have had on one hand - a massive turn around.

[Alaiyo Graduate in reply to didntrunthat]

Sounds like a miracle cream!

[Hidden]

My skin has progressively got better but there was definitely a detoxing stage as the blood got pumping - like having a sauna facial from the inside I don't wash my face before I run (I might not even brush my hair....) because I know I'm going to sweat, and be out in sunlight/wind/cold/heat, and they are all drying. When I get back I wash it in the shower and afterwards I moisturise well.

If we're building new muscles and strengthening bones perhaps they need vitamins and nutrients that the skin also requires, which makes having a healthy diet even more important. Plus water of course - I'm thirstier all day after a run. Not just to flush the skin, but waste products too, and to prevent constipation - sorry if that's TMI!

[Alaiyo Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Not TMI at all. I also really focus on nutrition, but probably need more water. I am just afraid of going out for a run with anything on my face - ie not washing off the cream/oil/grime/make-up. It seems like just asking for insane breakouts. But I will use a mild cleanser, and try to up the water consumption.

[Burstcouch Graduate]

its not just you Alaiyo, I get the same problem too and I never suffered from spots before.

Mine erupts either side of my chin just below my lips and no where else. Everyone I know has commented on it.

Just wish it would stop!

[Alaiyo Graduate in reply to Burstcouch]

I hear you. I hope it stops soon, too.

[pingle Graduate in reply to Burstcouch]

Hi Burstcouch, I wonder if it is not a spot but a cold sore. They're painful, sometimes with little blisters, caused by a virus and tend to recur in the same place. They're often reactivated by sunlight (lots of people get them on holiday) and might be down to being out doors more often. You could ask a pharmacist (best declare an interest - i'm one!) to have a look and if that is what it is get some OTC aciclovir cream. It works best if you start it at the 'tingle' stage.

[Burstcouch Graduate in reply to pingle]

Mins is not a cold sore pingle. I have never had one in my life, and I know what they are as other family members get them. Mine is just in the pores of my skins, although this week its started to improve, so fingers crossed.

[pingle Graduate in reply to Burstcouch]

Just a thought as it came back in the same place. Hope it keeps getting better and is gone soon.

[didntrunthat Graduate]

I have to say I waited the good part of a year before finally trying my GP for a solution and I wish I did it sooner. First off I thought it was from running, then I tried changing my make up and then my cleanser. Now I'm back to what I used all along.

The first lotion the GP gave me was called Duac and was AMAZING, it dried the skin out a little but nothing a bit of extra moisturiser couldn't handle, I was all cleared up by the end of the week. Unfortunately by the end of week 2 I started coming out in a prickly heat rash and had to stop using it.

I now use Zineryt which takes longer to get to work and the spots do come back quite quickly if I have a break - I did last week as I was using false tan for a wedding. I am glad to no longer have to worry about spots at age 27! I never suffered from acne as a teenager and never knew how lucky I was...

[Alaiyo Graduate in reply to didntrunthat]

So glad to hear it is getting so much better for you. I am going to keep looking for a solution for me as well. Actually, I found a toner and new OTC medication that has some promise, so fingers crossed.