We all know the benefits of working out regularly, and hitting the gym or pavements is a priority for those looking to stay in shape and feel fit and healthy.

But for some, working out can cause skin irritation – that can include anything from spots, intimate itching and even dandruff.

Everyone wants to feel their exercise and gym routine is a positive addition to their lives, so we’ve asked an expert for the insider advice to combat some of the most common skin issues.

Consultant Dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh advises on the four most common gym skin issues and how to avoid them.

Gym Bacne

Getting into your work out gear only to catch a glimpse of your back in eth gym mirror peppered with spots can put a dent in anyone’s confidence. Bacne is more common among gym goers due to sweat build up and friction on the back area.

‘Bacne’, is caused by the oxidisation of the excess sebum during sweating as it reaches the skin’s surface mixed with external dirt and bacteria, especially in a gym environment. This contaminated mix causes the sebum to quickly become ‘rotten’ leading to pore blockages and inflammation, ie bacne.

Clarol Sebopure (clarol.co.uk) controls bacne by keeping sebum production pure while sweating using a patented ingredient derived from wild mustard leaf oil. Via purifying sebum production, pore blockages and inflammation are reduced while the body can continues to process sebum naturally.

Sebopure contains a patented natural ingredient called Pixalia ™* made from a concentrated leaf oil extract from the Cleome Gynandra (wild mustard) plant. Pixlalia ™ has been scientifically proven as an active preserver due to naturally derived Rutin and hydroxycinnamic acid present in the plant extract.

Gym Dandruff

There’s nothing worse than looking at yourself in a full length gym mirror and seeing a fine dusting of dandruff covering your nice new gyn work out gear.

Unfortunately, the very act of working out increases the risk of dry scalp dandruff due to the build up of sweat on the scalp plus the more frequent washing of sweaty gym hair and blow drying.

Unlike normal dandruff, which is caused by fungal infections of the scalp, dry scalp dandruff is caused by sweat, reactions to chemicals and perfumes in hair care products and too much blow drying – all of which are common occurrences at the gym.

Hydrosil Scalp Shield Tonic (hydrosil.co.uk) is a scalp tonic which can be applied to damp hair after washing for helping to prevent dry scalp dandruff. It contains naturally derived proven ingredients to help relieve itching, dryness and flaking and to help support scalp barrier function.

The scalp tonic contains a polyfructose extract from chicory root (Cichorium Intybus) that has been incorporated in a patented natural prebiotic complex that is proven to repair and strengthens scalp barrier function by encouraging the growth of beneficial scalp microbiota while inhibiting the growth of none-beneficial microbiota.

The scalp tonic also contains a patented extract of passion fruit seed, which is a natural polyphenol piceatannol with proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Normally passion fruit seeds are discarded in during processing of the fruit for consumption so not only are the extracts from the seeds beneficial scalp health but are also upcycled.

Gym Crotch

There are few things more embarrassing than being caught scratching at your crotch during a workout session. Sweat build-up of heat, friction, sweat and bacteria in the crouch area while working out at the gym (especially during spinning classes) often leads to itcher, irritated and smellier vaginal skin, so vaginal skincare both during and after gym work outs are crucial to avoid the pitfalls of ‘gym crouch’.

The majority of intimate skincare products focus only on cleaning actions but simply cleaning the vagina is not all that’s needed to protect it from gym workouts. In fact, many intimate cleaning products can dry out vaginal skin and remove crucial healthy bacteria that the vagina needs to stay health during work outs. Vaginal skin can get easily damaged through abrasion and micro tears during gym works out which in turn increases the risk of bacterial and fungal infections.

Antioxidants and prebiotics are two highly beneficial elements in intimate skincare products to help improve elasticity, repair micro skin damage and increase moisture retention in this fragile area. In2mate products (www.in2mate.co.uk), which are over 99% natural and perfume-free, contain plant-based prebiotics and antioxidants that help repair vaginal micro damage and chaffing as well as improve intimate skin elasticity and maintain a healthy pH balance.

These products are ideal for using before and after gym work outs to ensure vaginal skin is protected against damage and bacterial and fungal build up as a result of gym workouts.

Gym Knees & Elbows

Getting skin out at the gym that has been hidden under clothing all winter can expose flaky extremities such as dry knees and elbows. Floor exercises that put friction and weight on the elbows and knees can make the problem worse. Also blisters and callouses from holding gym equipment can also lead to flaky dry hands too.

For dry flaking skin on extremities like hands, knees and elbows a salve is far more effective than a cream as it will stay on the skin for longer and not run off with sweat during work outs. It’s best to avoid salves with any perfumes in, as well as ones that contain MI, SLS, Lanolin, petroleum or alcohol.

Ideally use a salve that is certified for use on sensitive skin and contains low-reactivity and hypoallergenic moisturising and ani-inflammatory ingredients. Hydrosil Turmeric Butter & Hypoallergenic Milk Salve (hydrosil.co.uk) is a rich dry skin salve that contains hypoallergenic donkey milk to soften and soothe dry sore skin, a patented turmeric butter to intensely hydrate dry skin and the phytosteroid cardiospermum to help reduce any inflammation or itching.