The second part of the equation is what you’re wearing while you exercise. If your workout routine or daily activities require you to wear a hat, helmet, backpack, or non-breathable clothing, these materials can rub against acne-prone areas of the body causing a phenomenon called acne mechanica. This friction stimulates the sebaceous gland to produce excess oil that mixes with dead skin cells and clogs pores.

That doesn’t mean you should stop exercising!

The best way to prevent exercise acne is to wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. If possible, you should also avoid heavy makeup. If you’re wearing makeup to camouflage your acne, make sure it’s non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging)—it should say it on the label.There are also plenty of medicated cosmetic formulas and mineral makeups that contain salicylic acid, which can help keep your pores clear. When exercising outdoors, it’s crucial for your skin’s health to wear sunscreen—just make sure it’s also non-comedogenic.

The biological reasons for the acne-stress connection have to do with two hormones: cortisol and androgens. Your body releases higher levels of cortisol, sometimes called the “survival hormone” whenever you go through periods of stress. So, if you have a major deadline to meet, an argument with a friend or spouse, or trouble with your boss, you’re body will likely produce cortisol.

The problem with cortisol—where acne is concerned—is that it increases androgen production, a “male sex hormone” that your body begins producing once you hit puberty. Androgens trigger your sebaceous glands to produce excessive amounts of oil, resulting in a buildup of oil that can cause clogged pores and, of course, pimples.
Finding ways to reduce stress, including exercise, meditation and rest along with using a daily acne-fighting system can have big benefits for your skin!

The best defense against acne scarring is to stop pimples before they actually reach the surface of your skin. You can do this by treating your skin on a daily basis with proven acne-fighting medicines. However, if you do get blemishes, it’s important to avoid picking and squeezing since this can lead to infection, delay healing and promote scar formation. If you already have scars procedures like laser resurfacing, demabrasion and laser therapy might help.

What about red or dark marks? Many people believe that the discoloration left after pimples heal are scars. Technically, they aren’t. These marks are called “post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” and they’re very common in darker skin tones. Hyperpigmentation caused by pimples can take months or years to resolve, and aside from preventing acne, there is no real way to guard against these marks. You can, however, help keep them from darkening by using sun protection whenever you go outdoors. Topical lightening products containing hydroquinone along with mild exfoliation may help speed up the fading process.

Here are the top 5 things you should avoid if you have acne:

1. The sun: Exposure to the sun makes acne worse. In the short term, a tan might make your complexion look more even and pimples less visible, which is probably why people think sun exposure is good for acne. But tans and burns cause your skin to shed more cells, which build up on the surface, clogging pores and triggering more breakouts down the road.

2. Over-washing: It’s true that cleansing is an important part of controlling your acne, but too much washing can wreak havoc on your skin. Cleansing more than twice a day can strip your skin of moisture and natural oils, which often leads to more problems.

3. Trigger Foods: While diet doesn’t cause acne, it can make it worse. Some people get acne flare-ups in reaction to certain foods; including iodine-containing foods like seafood and table salt; dairy and other animal products containing hormones; and junk food like soda, candy and other foods that have a high glycemic load (increased blood sugar).

4. Harsh Exfoliation: Facial scrubs can be very harsh—some even include ground-up walnut shells and apricot pits. Using harsh scrubs causes micro-tears on your skin, leaving it raw and irritated. That’s no good for the look or health of your skin.  Gentle exfoliation with a cleanser that contains small, round beads is recommended.

5. Squeezing: It can be really tempting to pop and pick at your pimples, but the habit has terrible—and sometimes permanent—consequences. For one thing, it can push bacteria deeper into the skin and possibly cause infection. Secondly, you can really damage the surrounding skin tissue, which can cause scars that last a lifetime. Hands off!