Is There Such A Thing As Workout Ready Make-up?

There is a serious debate going on here at Lane Crawford. On one side, a yoga-obsessed occasional spinner who cannot fathom stepping foot in the gym without a full face of makeup and on the other, a competitive marathon runner who is simply unable to have an inch of foundation on her skin as she breaks a sweat.

While common sense may tell us that make-up and sweat cannot possibly make a good combination, on a scale from skin crime to no big deal, how bad is it to wear makeup to the gym? We invite New York-based dermatologist Dr. Doris Day to settle this dispute once and for all.

So what really happens when we wear makeup to the gym?

“As your heartrate rises and you perspire, your pores begin to open up, allowing sweat to rise to the surface. But if you’re wearing makeup, the sweat is blocked from exiting the skin and can clog up your pores”, says Dr. Day. The makeup itself may also breakdown from the heat and from reacting with your sweat, and the acidic pH of sweat can irritate and damage the skin. Mascara and foundation can also run into the eye causing swelling and infections. Over time, it can even result in blotchiness and accelerated skin ageing, especially for those suffering from rosacea or dry skin.

But if we really must put a face on, what can we wear?

Celebrity makeup artist Rosie Jane Johnston recommends wearing as little as possible and wash it off as soon after the workout as possible. But, if you must put a little coverage on, opt for mineral makeup which is slightly more breathable and usually contains anti-inflammatory ingredients. A little bit of concealer is preferred to a full-face of makeup if blemish coverage is what you’re looking for, then finish with a bit of brow gel and lip stain to give you some colour without damaging the skin.