Sudden acne in midlife? Your workout could be a factor

The studio class, fitness and Pilates trend is at its peak, but alongside growing awareness of healthy lifestyles, there has also been an increase in a less photogenic phenomenon: gym acne. Many women arrive at the gym or studio wearing full makeup, including foundation, concealer and self-tanner, with the aim of taking and sharing photos and videos of their workouts on social media. The combination of heat, increased sweating, layers of makeup that clog pores and friction from tight workout clothes creates conditions in which pimples can develop rapidly. The phenomenon is particularly noticeable on the back, chest, shoulders and jawline and sometimes on the forehead. At the clinic, we see the effects primarily in two main age groups. The first is young adults in their early 20s, whose hormones are still highly active and whose sebaceous glands produce oil at a high rate.