Dermatologists Say Your Post-Gym Skincare Routine Might Be Causing Breakouts

Dermatologists Say Your Post-Gym Skincare Routine Might Be Causing Breakouts

My pre-workout skincare routine is the height of minimalism. I cleanse, and if I’m running or spending time outside, I’ll slap some SPF and call it a day. After the session, however, that’s when it starts to get more complicated. I have acne-prone skin, so post-workout breakouts are a very real concern for me.

Vogue’s post-gym skincare routine at a glance:

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“If your skin seems to punish you for doing something healthy, you’re not imagining it,” skin specialist Libi Roos confirms. “Post-workout breakouts are incredibly common – but also completely fixable once you understand what’s really going on.

I take a “time is of the essence” approach to removing the sweat and bacteria from my face, and even though body acne isn’t something I generally experience, I jump in the shower as quickly as possible as a preventative measure. But why does it occur? “It’s not the sweat,” Roos stresses. “It’s what happens afterwards.”

She is not referring to the workout itself, but the go, go, go nature of modern life. “Sweat is not your enemy. It’s mostly water and salt – your body doing exactly what it should. The problem? Real life. You do the class, take a call on the way home, grab a coffee — and the sweat just sits there. That’s when it starts mixing with sebum (your skin’s natural oil), dead skin cells and bacteria (including whatever was on that Pilates mat). This creates the perfect pore-clogging cocktail. At the same time, your skin is in a more vulnerable state; your barrier is slightly compromised, your pH is disrupted, and your pores are more open from heat. So anything already on your skin – SPF, leftover make-up, pollution (especially in a city like London) – is now part of the problem.”

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OK! Magazine

‘I’m a skincare expert and these are my top tips for managing festive breakouts ‘

A skincare expert has shared her top tips on how to effectively tackle post-festive skin breakouts for a clearer, healthier skin.

Parul Sharma GAU audience writer

08:00, 25 Dec 2025

How to manage your festive breakouts(Image: Getty)

The festive season is a time for merriment, lavish feasts, late-night parties and perhaps a bit too much indulgence — but for many, it’s also the time when their skin starts to act up. Spots, clogged pores and redness are common side effects of overindulging in rich foods, alcoholic beverages, lack of sleep and inconsistent skincare routines.

If you’re one of the many who’ve turned to Google in desperation, asking how to deal with skin breakouts — we have some good news. A skincare guru has revealed her top tips on how to fight those inevitable festive season breakouts, and all it requires are a few simple, easy-to-follow tweaks to your skincare routine.

Laura Porter, expert facialist and founder of FAB Skincare, says that post-Christmas skin woes are among the most common problems she sees in her treatment room every January. Laura advises: “Your skin is often the first place to show signs of internal stress. Overindulgence doesn’t mean you’ve ‘ruined’ your skin — it just needs a gentle reset rather than harsh treatments or over-cleansing, which can make things worse.”

Why festive excess causes breakouts

Alcoholic drinks, sugar and rich foods can cause inflammation and dehydration, while late nights and insufficient sleep disrupt the skin’s natural repair cycle. When these factors are combined with heavier makeup and less frequent cleansing, pores can quickly become blocked — leading to blemishes, dull skin and uneven texture, reports the Mirror.

Many people’s skin starts to rebel during the festive season due to all the excess(Image: Getty Images)

Skincare expert’s handy post-festive advice

Don’t over-cleanse your skin

When a breakout pops up, many of us instinctively grab for harsh cleansers, scrubs or potent acids in an effort to “dry out” blemishes.

However, Laura advises the opposite: “Over-cleansing and harsh acids can compromise your skin barrier, leading to more inflammation, sensitivity and ongoing breakouts. Your skin needs support, not punishment. Cleanse thoroughly but gently, ideally twice a day, and avoid anything that leaves your skin feeling tight or squeaky.”

A healthy skin barrier helps regulate oil production and allows active ingredients to work more effectively.

Make overnight skin repair a priority

The skin just needs a gentle reset rather than harsh treatments(Image: Getty Images)

Night-time is when the skin naturally switches into repair mode: “This is the ideal time to support healing, collagen production and hydration. While you sleep, your skin is more receptive to active ingredients, so an overnight treatment can significantly reduce redness, improve texture and help prevent lingering dark spots after a breakout has healed.” Consistent overnight care can make a visible difference within just a few days, shares the expert.

Hydration is key – both inside and out

Dehydration is a common yet frequently missed trigger for breakouts: “When skin is dehydrated, it often overproduces oil to compensate, which can clog pores. Drinking plenty of water, reducing alcohol where possible and using products that hydrate at multiple layers of the skin will help restore balance and improve clarity.”

Well-hydrated skin is also better equipped to heal and protect itself against further congestion.

Treat spots with precision, not panic

Instead of slathering multiple products across the entire face, Laura recommends a focused approach: “Spot treatments, such as the FAB Skincare No.6 Overnight Spot Treatment, are far more effective when used correctly. Apply directly to the blemish before bed and allow it to work overnight, rather than spreading strong ingredients across healthy skin.”

This technique helps clear congestion whilst minimising the risk of dryness, redness and post-inflammatory marks.

Be patient and maintain consistency

When skin plays up, it’s tempting to change everything at once —but this can prove counterproductive and backfire, explains the skin specialist. Laura warns: “Quick fixes rarely work. Consistency beats intensity every time. Stick to a simple, supportive routine and give your skin time to recover. Constantly switching products or overloading your skin will only slow the healing process. Avoid switching products too frequently.”

As we usher in the new year, Laura’s advice is straightforward: steer clear of drastic treatments and extreme measures, and focus on aiding your skin’s natural healing process.

“Your skin is incredibly resilient when you treat it with care. A calm, targeted approach will always deliver better results than trying to undo festive indulgence overnight.”

For the latest money saving tips, shopping and consumer news, go to the new Everything Money website.

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Liverpool Echo

Skincare expert shares her top tips to manage festive breakouts and dull skin

Festive breakouts are all too common during the holiday season — but there are a few simple ways to manage them, according to a skincare expert.

Parul Sharma GAU audience writer

08:00, 25 Dec 2025

A skincare expert is revealing her top tips for the festive season(Image: VladimirFLoyd via Getty Images)

The festive season brings joy, lavish feasts, lengthy evenings and perhaps an excess of everything — yet for numerous people, it’s also when their skin begins to act up. Blemishes, congested pores and inflammation are common results of rich cuisine, boozy beverages, inadequate rest and erratic skincare regimens.

If you’re among the many folk who’ve turned to the internet seeking solutions for skin breakouts — we’ve got some good news. A skincare specialist has revealed her essential advice for battling those unavoidable holiday season flare-ups, requiring only a handful of straightforward adjustments to your daily skincare regime.

Laura Porter, expert facialist and founder of FAB Skincare, reveals that post-festive season skin troubles rank amongst the most common concerns she witnesses in her treatment room each January. Laura explains: “Your skin is often the first place to show signs of internal stress. Overindulgence doesn’t mean you’ve ‘ruined’ your skin — it just needs a gentle reset rather than harsh treatments or over — cleansing, which can make things worse.”

What causes holiday overindulgence to trigger breakouts

Alcoholic drinks, sugar and decadent dishes can spark inflammation and moisture loss, while extended nights and poor sleep disrupts the skin’s natural restoration process. Combined with heavier cosmetics and inconsistent cleansing habits, pores can quickly become blocked – leading to spots, dull skin and patchy texture, reports the Mirror.

Many people’s skin starts to rebel during the festive season due to all the excess(Image: SWNS)

Skincare expert shares post-festive skincare advice

Steer clear of excessive skin cleansing

In the wake of a breakout, it’s common to reach for potent cleansers, exfoliators or strong acids in an effort to “dry out” blemishes.

However, Laura advises against this: “Over-cleansing and harsh acids can compromise your skin barrier, leading to more inflammation, sensitivity and ongoing breakouts. Your skin needs support, not punishment. Cleanse thoroughly but gently, ideally twice a day, and avoid anything that leaves your skin feeling tight or squeaky.”

A robust skin barrier aids in controlling oil production and enhances the effectiveness of active ingredients.

Prioritise nocturnal skin repair

Night-time is when the skin naturally enters repair mode: “This is the ideal time to support healing, collagen production and hydration. While you sleep, your skin is more receptive to active ingredients, so an overnight treatment can significantly reduce redness, improve texture and help prevent lingering dark spots after a breakout has healed.” Regular overnight care can yield noticeable results within just a few days.

Hydration is crucial — both internally and externally

The skin just needs a gentle reset rather than harsh treatments(Image: Getty Images)

Dehydration is a common but often neglected trigger for skin breakouts: “When skin is dehydrated, it often overproduces oil to compensate, which can clog pores. Drinking plenty of water, reducing alcohol where possible and using products that hydrate at multiple layers of the skin will help restore balance and improve clarity.”

Well-hydrated skin is also better prepared to heal and shield itself against further congestion.

Address spots with precision, not panic

Instead of slathering numerous products all over your face, Laura recommends a more focused approach: “Spot treatments, such as the FAB Skincare No.6 Overnight Spot Treatment, are far more effective when used correctly. Apply directly to the blemish before bed and allow it to work overnight, rather than spreading strong ingredients across healthy skin.”

This technique aids in clearing congestion while reducing the risk of dryness, redness and post-inflammatory marks.

Exercise patience and maintain consistency

When skin acts up, the urge to change everything at once can be strong – but this can backfire and prove counterproductive. Laura warns: “Quick fixes rarely work. Consistency beats intensity every time. Stick to a simple, supportive routine and give your skin time to recover. Constantly switching products or overloading your skin will only slow the healing process. Avoid switching products too frequently.”

As we usher in the new year, Laura’s advice is straightforward and unambiguous: steer clear of severe treatments and radical actions, focusing instead on bolstering your skin’s innate healing process. “Your skin is incredibly resilient when you treat it with care. A calm, targeted approach will always deliver better results than trying to undo festive indulgence overnight.”

For the latest money saving tips, shopping and consumer news, go to the new Everything Money website.

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5 everyday foods responsible for triggering acne and breakouts

5 everyday foods responsible for triggering acne and breakouts

Many studies have shown that excess dairy intake leads to acne development, specifically between the ages of 7 and 30. Having control over the consumption of milk, curd, butter, ghee, cheese, and more triggers hormonal and inflammatory responses in the body, leading to excess oil production and clogged pores. This may vary by product and individual, as a person’s genetics and hormones play a vital role, as does the type of dairy being consumed. Also, some people are lactose intolerant, so in such cases, the acne issues can also be connected to lactose sensitivity.

(Image Credits: Pinterest)

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