First of all, no matter how much of a rush you’re in to get to a class, you must remove your base. Eye and lip makeup is fine to stay on. But if you leave your foundation on, sweat could get clogged in pores, leading to breakouts. The easiest strategy is to stash some cleansing wipes in your gym bag.

After class, you’ll need to lightly cleanse away perspiration. You could use another wipe or else your regular cleanser (just squeeze some into a small travel tube for your gym bag), as long as it’s not too stripping. If you’re very prone to breakouts, I’d suggest you go for a salicylic-acid-based cleanser, to help keep those pores clean. Try Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam ($36, from department stores) or Neutrogena Deep Clean Foaming Cleansing ($13.89, from pharmacies).

Now comes the tricky part: quickly re-applying makeup to look polished and professional, not like you’ve been working yourself up into treadmill frenzy. If you normally wear layer upon layer of face makeup, you might want to reconsider your approach for the days when you do exercise. Your best bet is a tinted moisturiser, followed up with a few dabs of concealer where needed. It’s the quickest way to hydrate skin and even out tone, plus it will best show off your shiny-happy-healthy new skin.

One extra tip: keep a loofah glove in a plastic bag in your gym tote. Shower with it after class, making sure to work over any parts of the body that are also breakout hot-spots - for example, the back or butt. This extra exfoliation step will help keep you smooth and clear all over, so you can show off that gym-toned body of yours.

Bookmark to

Got a beauty question of your own? Ask away...