Why You Shouldn't Work Out After A Facial, From Skin Experts

Let me tell you a story that will save your skin. A few weeks ago I got a micro-infusion facial—a treatment I've received a handful of times. Right after, my skin was a bit red per usual, but that faded within the hour.

The very next morning, I took a super-sweaty spin class. While the workout was great, my face began to burn the second I started sweating, which immediately threw me into a panic. 

After the class, my face was inflamed, itchy, red, with a sea of bumps forming at warp speed. Unfortunately, the texture and inflammation lasted for a full week, never letting up even with a plethora of soothing products on my side. It was persistent, painful, and frustrating, especially given that I'd just endured a painful but promising treatment I'd adored in the past.

"Most treatments have elements of steam and cryotherapy to heat and cool down the skin, [so] continuing that process of heat with a workout can be too much in one day and cause inflammation and further sensitize the skin," explains licensed esthetician and founder of Root + Glow facial spa Melissa Croff.

Some treatments also create minor injuries to the skin, like the micro-infusion treatment I received, lasers, microneedling, or even intense extractions. 

"These create a reaction on the skin, usually to stimulate collagen or do some form of repair. To do that, you have to create some micro-trauma to the skin," explains celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau. Now typically, this brings great benefit for plumping, rejuvenation, and glow, but it also subjects your complexion to irritation. 

You will likely walk out of a facial with some kind of heavy cream or oil on your face. This leaves a thin seal on your skin, which holds in moisture for optimized healing. "When you work out after this, you're actually going to sweat more because the occlusive of the oil will retain heat and heat up the skin," Rouleau says.

The mix of occlusives and exercise also heats up your skin's internal temperature, which can then cause water in the skin to evaporate. "Think about it like this: When you have a frying pan on the stove and turn it up really hot and then splash water onto it, it all bleeds away really fast. That's what heat does to water, meaning you aren't getting the full experience of the facial by letting the skin heat up afterward," Rouleau says.

Those prone to acne may consider sweating post-facial dangerous for their skin condition, too.

"Exercising immediately after any facial may open pores, and sweat could introduce impurities, potentially leading to breakouts or irritation," says board-certified dermatologist Anetta Reszko, M.D.

So the next time you schedule a facial, keep in mind the 24- to 48-hour healing period. Rather than engaging in a high-intensity workout, opt for gentle movement like walking, stretching, and so on. 

You should wait 24 to 48 hours after a facial treatment to resume high-intensity exercise and other sweat-inducing activities. During this period, your skin is more sensitive and prone to irritation, flushing, and breakouts. Plus, the sweat may cause your skin to evaporate the very moisture it needs to heal from any micro-injuries.