1 BACKGROUND
Skin is the largest organ in the human body and serves as a protector and barrier of entry for environmental microbes. The preservation and improvement of skin health to minimize the detrimental impact of microbes is an emerging field of study., , A healthy skin profile can be defined by its moisture and oil level, elasticity, number of pores, and distribution of sebum. Inadequate moisture and oil can negatively impact skin health leading to acne. Moreover, excessively large pores and sebum can negatively impact skin health, if unaddressed. Subcutaneous skin problems may manifest on the epidermis of the skin as acne, blackheads, white heads, pimples, papules, pustules, and cyst or nodules.
There are several effective methods for preserving skin health. Seven to 9 h of sleep,, balanced nutrition,, microbiome composition,, maintaining a skincare regimen,, , and exercise may improve skin health., Exercise induces several physiological and thermal changes that lead to changes in the thermal homeostasis of the body, metabolic rate, and increased internal heat resulting in changes in skin condition. The increase in internal temperature of approximately two tenths of a degree higher than the 37°C will redirect blood flow to the skin in an attempt to permit heat exchange with the environment. Additionally, as our skin regulates internal temperature through perspiration,, pores expand to discharge waste and sebum., If this waste on the surface of the skin is left untreated, it can proliferate, which can possibly create acute and chronic skin issues.,
A recent private sector survey of 2201 persons in the United Kingdom reported that up to 60% of persons wore face makeup while at the gym. Unfortunately application of face makeup such as cosmetic foundation cream may block pores and has deleterious effects on the skin. As such, the individual wearing makeup during the exercise may be negatively affecting the skin health. However, to the best of our knowledge, little is known regarding the effect of makeup on epidermis of the face during exercise. Within this context, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of a cosmetic foundation cream on skin conditions during physical activity.
2 OBJECTIVE
Within this context, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of cosmetic foundation cream on skin condition during exercise.
3 METHODS
3.1 Participants
This prospective within subjects design study was approved by the Texas A&M University‐San Antonio Institutional Review Board (Log# 2021‐40). A total of 43 healthy college students, 20 males (26.3 ± 6.7 years) and 23 females (23.1 ± 5 years), were enrolled in this study (Table 1). Data collection was performed after participants consented to the study. For eligibility criteria in the current investigation, we considered participants between the ages of 18 and 40. Participants were excluded if they had any major health issues or allergic reactions to cosmetic ingredients. It was a straightforward question inquiring about any significant health conditions that might hinder their participation in physical activity or any allergies that could potentially result in negative reactions from applying makeup. The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR‐Q) and an allergy survey were administered before potential participants joined the study.
3.2 Application of cosmetic foundation cream
To minimize the error of the measured value, the face was first cleansed with Garnier Skin Active Micellar Cleansing Water (Garnier, USA) to remove moisture and prepare the skin. After measuring the pre‐exercise skin condition, cosmetic foundation cream was applied by the investigator to only one side of the participant's face (right or left depending on participant preference). Foundation sponges were used to minimize direct contact with participants. The cosmetic foundation cream used in this study was Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless Liquid Foundation (Maybelline, New York, USA) (aqua/water/eau, cyclohexasiloxane, Nylon‐12, isododecane, alcohol Denat., cyclopentasiloxane, Peg‐10 dimethicone, cetyl Peg/Ppg‐10/1 dimethicone, Peg‐20, polyglyceryl‐4 isostearate, disteardimonium hectorite, phenoxyethanol, magnesium sulfate, disodium stearoyl glutamate, HDI/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymer, titanium dioxide, methylparaben, acrylates copolymer, tocopherol, butylparaben, aluminum hydroxide, alumina, silica, and glycerin. May contain: CI 77891/titanium dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/iron oxides, and D166390/3).
3.3 Exercise protocol
The participants engaged in a moderate treadmill exercise for 20 min after measurement of the skin condition and application of the cosmetic foundation cream. The treadmill exercise consisted of a warm up of 5 min at a treadmill speed of 3 mph, 10 min at a speed of 4 mph, and 5 min at a speed of 5 mph to allow for an intensity of approximately 50%–70% of heart rate max (HRmax). The testing room temperature was maintained at 20–25°C, with a relative humidity of 45%–55%.
3.4 Measurement of skin condition
The levels of moisture, elasticity, sebum, facial pores, and oil were all outcome measures of interest. Participant's skin conditions at four respective areas of face (non‐makeup T zone (T), makeup T zone (MT), non‐makeup U zone (U), makeup U zone (MU)) were measured by the Aramo Portable Scanner Integration Skin Analysis Device (Aramhuvis, Gyeonggi, South Korea). The skin condition was measured twice with and without cosmetic foundation cream, before (pre) and after (post) exercise. The abbreviation of the groups are as follows; pre T: non‐makeup T zone before exercise, post T: non‐makeup T zone after exercise, pre MT: makeup T zone before exercise, post MT: makeup T zone after exercise. Pre U: non‐makeup U zone before exercise, post U: non‐makeup U zone after exercise, pre MU: makeup U zone before exercise, post MU: makeup U zone after exercise. See Figure 1 for illustration of zone locations. To control for environmental condition, 20–25°C of temperature and 55%–65% of humidity were maintained.
FIGURE 1
Illustration of face depicting makeup zones. T and MT zone were located 2 cm proximal to midline of eyebrows, U and MU zones were located 5 cm medial of the zygomatic process.
3.5 Statistical analysis
For statistical comparisons between groups, after normality and the homogeneity of variance were confirmed, then paired t‐test and independent t‐test were performed for skin condition (moisture, elasticity, pore, sebum, and oil) measurements pre and postexercise. All statistical procedures were performed using SPSS v21 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Significance was set at p < 0.05.
4 RESULTS
4.1 Moisture
The levels of moisture in both groups (T and MT) were significantly increased after exercise (pre T 24.5 ± 1.3, post T 38.5 ± 3.5, p = 0.000 and pre MT 18.7 ± 0.7, post MT 40.4 ± 4.8, p = 0.000). In U and MU zones no significant differences were observed in pre and postexercise (pre U 25.8 ± 1.8, post U 26.9 ± 2.5, p = 0.566 and pre MU 20.9 ± 0.9, post MU23.2 ± 2.5, p = 0.295) (Figure 2).
FIGURE 2
t‐Test results of skin moisture of pre and postexercise. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. * indicate significant difference between pre and postexercise (p < 0.05). # indicate significant difference between makeup and non‐makeup (T vs. MT zone; U vs. MU zone, p < 0.05). MT, makeup T zone; MU, makeup U zone; T, non‐makeup T zone; U, non‐makeup U zone.
4.2 Elasticity
The levels of elasticity were significantly increased in both groups (T and MT) after exercise (pre T 25.6 ± 1.3, post T 41.5 ± 3.5, p = 0.000 and pre MT 20b.0 ± 0.9, post MT 41.7 ± 3.7, p = 0.000). The U and MU zones demonstrated no significant difference between pre and postexercise (pre U 27.0 ± 1.9, post U 28.9 ± 2.6, p = 0.332 and pre MU 22.2 ± 1.0, post MU 24.5 ± 2.6, p = 0.313) (Figure 3).
FIGURE 3
t‐Test results of skin elasticity of pre and postexercise. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. * indicate significant difference between pre and postexercise (p < 0.05). # indicate significant difference between makeup and non‐makeup (T vs. MT zone; U vs. MU zone, p < 0.05). MT, makeup T zone; MU, makeup U zone; T, non‐makeup T zone; U, non‐makeup U zone.
4.3 Pore
Pore size was significantly increased after exercise in the T group (pre T 41.7 ± 2.1, post T 47.8 ± 2.4, p = 0.006) but no significant differences in the MT group (pre MT 32.6 ± 2.6, post MT 35.1 ± 2.4, p = 0.196). The U and MU zones displayed no significant differences pre and postexercise (pre U 41.5 ± 3.0, post U42.6 ± 3.2, p = 0.542 and pre MU26.3 ± 2.3, post MU27.3 ± 2.3, p = 0.434) (Figure 4).
FIGURE 4
t‐Test results of skin pore of pre and postexercise. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. * indicate significant difference between pre and postexercise (p < 0.05). # indicate significant difference between makeup and non‐makeup (T vs. MT zone; U vs. MU zone, p < 0.05). MT, makeup T zone; MU, makeup U zone; T, non‐makeup T zone; U, non‐makeup U zone.
4.4 Sebum
The levels of sebum in MT group were significantly increased after exercise (pre T 21.2 ± 3.6, post T 18.5 ± 3.2, p = 0.020 and pre MT 2.4 ± 0.7, post MT 4.2 ± 0.8, p = 0.000). The levels of sebum in both the U and MU groups were significantly increased after exercise (pre U 27.4 ± 4.9, post U 30.9 ± 4.5, p = 0.003 and pre MU 1.8 ± 0.34, post MU 4.9 ± 0.9, p = 0.001) (Figure 5).
FIGURE 5
t‐Test results of skin sebum of pre and postexercise. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. * indicate significant difference between pre and postexercise (p < 0.05). # indicate significant difference between makeup and non‐makeup (T vs. MT zone; U vs. MU zone, p < 0.05). MT, makeup T zone; MU, makeup U zone; T, non‐makeup T zone; U, non‐makeup U zone.
4.5 Oil
The levels of oil in non‐makeup groups (T and U) were significantly increased after exercise (pre T 6.1 ± 1.4, post T 11.8 ± 2.0, p = 0.004 and pre U 7.3 ± 1.5, post U 11.9 ± 1.9, p = 0.001). However, the levels of oil in makeup groups (MT and MU) were significantly reduced after exercise (pre MT 13.3 ± 1.9, post MT 7.4 ± 2.3, p = 0.008 and pre MU 22.1 ± 2.4, post MU 3.2 ± 1.0, p = 0.000) (Figure 6).
FIGURE 6
t‐Test results of skin oil of pre and postexercise. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. * indicate significant difference between pre and postexercise (p < 0.05). # indicate significant difference between makeup and non‐makeup (T vs. MT zone; U vs. MU zone, p < 0.05). MT, makeup T zone; MU, makeup U zone; T, non‐makeup T zone; U, non‐makeup U zone.
5 DISCUSSION
This study sought to explore the effects of cosmetic foundation cream on the skin during aerobic exercise. In the present study, moisture increased after exercise in both the non‐makeup and makeup zones. However, moisture in the makeup zone saw a greater increase than in the non‐makeup zone. This may be a result of the makeup preventing the moisture from evaporating from the skin. The average moisture was 60, with a greater moisture score being better (0–100). The use of makeup can enhance a person's inherent beauty and hide skin defects. However, more makeup wearers are exercising habitually these days and much is still unknown about the effects of makeup on skin during exercise.
Although exercise has a positive effect on skin condition, exercising with makeup can potentially have a negative effect on the skin condition. Elasticity of the skin increased after exercise, however, a greater increase in the makeup zones than in non‐makeup zones was observed. This may be as a result of a mechanism of elasticity and moisture which requires future exploration.
The size and number of skin pores increased significantly after exercise in non‐makeup T zone. Interestingly in the makeup zones, pore size and number increased slightly after exercise; however, not significantly. This may be as a negative consequence of makeup blocking the pores. According to previous studies, if pores are clogged and sweat secretion is not properly performed, sebum and waste matter on the skin may increase, causing skin problems.
Sebum of the skin decreased in the non‐makeup T zone after exercise, however, sebum was increased in the makeup areas. Moreover, sebum increased in U zone as well. This is a gleaming example of the deleterious effects of makeup use during exercise. In this study, makeup use clogged the pores, which lead to a negative sebum score.
After exercise, oil levels were increased in non‐makeup area, but reduced in the makeup area. Thus, it appears difficult to maintain proper oil levels on the skin when wearing makeup. This may unfortunately lead to the drying of the skin. An average score of 60 was observed in oil, indicating a good oil score.
Foundation cream is often termed a “pigmented moisturizer.” It is designed to be worn for a prolonged period of time. Still, this study is one of the few studies showing how foundation affects the skin during exercise. In the present study, it appeared that moisture was elevated in the makeup zones. As the foundation cream in our study was a water‐based oil‐free foundation, it contained no oily substances and was designed for those with oily skin. This was chosen to control for skin oil, but also because of its content of dimethicone, which is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. It is important to note that sweat combined with makeup can present a bigger problem for skin because of the clogging of pores. Future studies should explore the use of different foundation creams; oil‐based, water‐based, and water‐free foundations. These different foundation creams have different primary and secondary emulsifiers which may alter the skin conditions we have explored.
It may be that some participants may have had sensitive skin types, which could have altered the effect makeup had on skin. It is recommended to wash the face gently prior to exercise to mitigate possible clogging of pores during exercise. Future studies may consider evaluating skin sensitivity of participants and stratifying study groups accordingly. Moreover, scholars have recommended the use of water‐based foundation for those with mildly dry skin.
6 CONCLUSIONS
This study is part of a small number of investigations that have examined the effects of makeup on the skin during physical activity. Using cosmetics may have negative effects on the skin. The findings suggest that using foundation cream during aerobic exercise can reduce skin oil, causing dryness. Additionally, makeup can clog pores and increase sebum production. Therefore, wearing makeup may not be recommended for people with dry skin conditions based on the results of the current study. This research offers important insights to the public, encouraging them to consider the possible consequences of using makeup while exercising.
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
Conceptualization: E. J. Yoon, S. Lee. Data curation: E. J. Yoon, J. Delacruz, J. H. Kim. Formal analysis: E. J. Yoon, D. Park. Investigation: E. J. Yoon, J. Delacruz, J. H. Kim. Methodology: S. Lee, D. Park, E. J. Yoon. Project administration: E. H. Kwon, T. B. Symons. Supervision: S. Lee, T. B. Symons, D. Park. Validation: S. Lee, D. Park. Visualization: E. J. Yoon, D. Park. Writing—original draft: E. J. Yoon. Writing—review and editing: S. Lee, D. Park, T. B. Symons.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
ETHICS STATEMENT
This prospective within subjects design study was approved by the Texas A&M University‐San Antonio Institutional Review Board (Log# 2021‐40).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to thank all participants involved in this study.
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