Unhealthy and Damaging Makeup Trend Has Spawned out of Athleisure

These days, everyone’s dressed like they’re about to lift weights or hit the treadmill. From leggings to swanky sweatshirts to sleek yoga pants, althleisure is the reigning fashion trend — for better or worse. Several makeup lines have released products intended to complement sports bras and tank tops. According to designers, althleisure makeup is designed to stay in place and not melt or drip while exercising.

Birchbox, Sweat Cosmetics, Rae Cosmetics, Katherine Cosmetics, and Tatre have all launched products that promise to keep you looking pretty during a workout. Many of them claim to “cool” and let your skin “breath”. Sweat Cosmetics, a brand founded by several pro soccer players, touts a mineral powder that will stay in place during an hour-long workout. Tarte’s line features an array of moisturizer and tanning products that are sweat-resistant. However, dermatologists are in strong disagreement of the latest trend. For one, Angela Lamb, director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice, told The Huffington Post that althlesiure makeup only fuels “the relentless desire for perfection and being watched”. She also added that wearing makeup while sweating can “cause irritation”.

Wearing makeup while doing any kind of intense physical exercise can cause acne. Sweat pushes the makeup to the opening of the sebaceous follicle and irritates it, resulting in acne. If you’re determined to get dolled up before jumping on the elliptical, your safest bet is to stick to a waterproof sunscreen with a tint.