Why Skipping a Post-Workout Shower Can Be Problematic

By not showering after exercising, you give the sweat and natural oils accumulating on your skin the chance to create a waxy buildup, says Arash Akhavan, MD, dermatologist and founder of The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York. “This can cause inflammation in our pores leading to acne breakouts.”

And the type of workout you do matters, too. “It becomes even more important for people who usually do more outdoor work out such as hiking or cycling,” Dr. Akhavan says. “In order to clean yourself of things like outdoor dust, an environmental pollution toxin on your skin.”

“Since fungi grow more rapidly in warm and moist environments, sweaty sports bras are a common cause for fungal infections under and around the breasts,” Akhavan says. “As far as skin health goes for women, it’s the best thing you can do after you’re done post-exercise — to get rid of the sports bra, shower, and then dry off.” If possible, you can use a hair dryer on a cool setting to thoroughly dry areas that are especially prone to yeast infections, such as underneath the breasts.