Bodybuilders will often develop tunnel vision, mentally placing themselves in a beeline toward the goal they wish to reach – namely, very large muscles. Many will make training, eating, and sleeping their primary goals, neglecting other daily tasks which may be of very great importance to their bodybuilding goals. Skin care is one such area. Very often, bodybuilders will spend 90 minutes training, then immediately head to work or home to relax, without cleaning their skin or showering. The result, of course, is acne which occurs all over the body. When a football player develops acne, it isn’t such a big deal. After all, he gets to wear pads when he plays. A bodybuilder, however, has to stand upon the stage almost naked and display his physique to be examined for every possible flaw. Allowing your body to develop excessive acne is akin to purchasing a $150,000 sports car, then driving it around town in primer color, completely without paint. It would be absurd! Here are a few tips for bodybuilders to follow to keep their skin at its best.

Watch what you eat

Scientists are pretty much split even as to just how much fatty or greasy food affects skin quality. Half of them feel the food we eat certainly affects our skin and causes outbreaks, while about half state there isn’t enough evidence to support this. If you notice more common skin breakouts when eating junk food or bulking, consider bumping up your water intake and lessening the garbage you consume.

Check the gear

Many anabolic steroids have side effects of major bloating and acne. If you see sudden breakouts when taking a new steroid, re-consider its use.

Restroom rituals

If you’re showering once a day, bump it up to twice. Try some new soap, or exfoliation.

Washing sheets

You would never consider wearing the same shirt for 8 hours per day, for several months straight. Yet many people opt not to wash their sheets for months at a time. Their bodies sweat and emit oil for 8 straight hours as they sleep. The long term buildup of these oils is not good for the skin. Wash your sheets twice per month, and more if you sweat a great deal when you sleep.

Get some more sun

Many bodybuilders discover their skin clears up tremendously when they spend 15 to 25 minutes in the sun, several times per week. The oily skin dries up and they develop a bit of pleasing color. Give it a shot – the price is certainly right!

Go medical, if necessary

When all else fails, consider a topical solution such as Retin-A, or an oral compound. Orals can be particularly tough on the liver, especially if you’re using anabolic steroids. Make this a last resort, and only under the supervision of a doctor who is well aware of your AAS usage.

Bodybuilding shows are not always won by the competitor with the most muscle. Sometimes the trophy will go to the competitor with the best conditioning, symmetry, posing, and yes, skin quality. When all other factors are equal, the bodybuilder with the best skin will take the trophy. Be that bodybuilder!

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