Red Face when exercising

[oopsydaisee]

Recently starting running, which is the first type of exercise I actually enjoy. However, my face gets SO red like a tomato and I find it embarrassing. Anyone know of any tips to reduce this as I am on the verge of quitting because of it. I’ve red taking an antihistamine before can help but I did try it and it didn’t seem to make a difference really.

I don't really have an answer, because I'm the same and I've concluded I just have to ignore it.

Edit: sorry posted too soon. I guess what I mean here is that maybe changing your mindset would be easier than fixing the thing?

I always wear a CC cream with SPF and notice that I look a lot redder if I'm not wearing that. But also, you're exercising...it's normal to look a bit red and sweaty.

No advise other than you aren't alone. Gym classes I look like a tomatoe when I'm finished. I've kind of just learnt to live with it. Who cares what others think. It use to stop me exercising and putting much effort in but now I found something I think to do I just get on with it.

Thanks. I’d love to take the mindset that I don’t care but I just can’t.
I think I get redder than normal, with a white ring around my mouth and I hate it
@@CoffeeAndCakeLover
yes I was considering trying something like that also, thank you.

The same happens to me, but I run very early in the morning (not just to avoid seeing people or being seen, but it’s an added bonus).

There's no help for it I don't think, except to exercise less hard. But the getting red and sweaty is part of it, if you don't sweat you aren't working hard enough. I go beetroot coloured and it's even worse when people remark on it! But really, they're only jealous because they can't be bothered to go out and get hot and red.

All I can suggest is going to something like Park Run or other events because you will see that EVERYONE who isn't basically a professional athlete gets red faced at times!

I've came back from runs and realised I've had white cream all around my eyes from night cream. I just don't care tbh. If anyone else is bothered about what I look like on my run, or in general, then they need to find better things to think about. Other people's opinions of me are not really my business and they shouldn't be yours either. Easy to say I know!

I get this too OP and I found it sooo upsetting in my 20s. I've got more used to it over the years, still don't love it but I make sure to give myself a good hour after any exercise before I socialise or do video calls to let it settle down.

Something else which helps me is thinking this: the fitter I get, the higher the threshold for going so red. Do I want to be ugly red from a steep hike or running for the bus, or because I've knocked out a 10k in under an hour?

I'm the same OP - I go absolutely bright red and the woman I go running with stays exactly the same colour as before we started! I think it's just one of those things 🤷‍♀️

I got back in from my first run in ages the other morning - I'd just got out of bed and put some leggings and an old top on - with the thought if I don't just get up and do it I won't....

Got back red, sweaty, top on inside out and my hair looked like Worzel Gummidge - but you know - the important thing was I did it...(and also it was very early so hopefully no one I know saw me).,

I'd hold on to that thought - you did it. And also as you get fitter you'll get a bit less red.

I'm tan so to dull redness I use a green concealer stick. It's a cheap one from super drug. Barry M I think

I think it's to do with the way your capillaries react in your face. Some open outwards and some inwards. Mine certainly open outwards to give me the tomato look, no matter how fit I am.

I'm a bit self conscious about it and sometimes wear a baseball cap which makes me hotter!!!

I go tomato red too OP. I love it and wear it like a badge of honour 😂

Would it help - from a non-exercising person - that if I see a red faced person exercising then I automatically assume they have been exercising very hard and I think "go, you!"

I go like this when exercising, and it takes hours for the redness to go back to normal, even if I’ve showered, cooled down and feel fine I’m still red.

If you wear red clothing on top it might be less noticeable?

When I exercise I barely sweat, I just glow and get very red.

I go red too. I used to go to the gym and overheard the staff make comments about my red face. Cancelled my membership and not been in a gym since.
I use VR to exercise now in the privacy of my own home. I get a red face and an oval mark on my face as a nice extra. That does take ages to fade too.

It just shows you've been exercising, it's a good thing. Maybe just try to embrace it. Other people either won't notice, or will be impressed you've been running.

I have rosacea and get this too. My solution is to go swimming as it keeps you cool. Otherwise, think of it as a badge of honour, as it proves how hard you have been working!

I used to get this sometimes. There's not much you can do to stop it at the time, but running very cold water over your hands and feet can calm it down sooner.

I go super red after exercise. I used to use a cooling primer on my skin but I think it's been discontinued as I can't find it anymore. ELF do one but I haven't tried it.

This.

It really is easier to work on your mindset than try to cover the red.

If you layer make up on top you're just risking clogging pores and creating spots.

Focus on what you can see on your run, not what other people are (probably not) looking at

I used to have this then I got fitter and it stopped. I do sweat absolute buckets though still, more than anyone I know…..

I wish there was a solution, twice I've had strangers asking if I'm ok because of the colour of my face. I don't even have to be working that hard.

Ooh, I've just had a thought - I wonder if the red/not red has anything to do with losing heat and efficiency? I go bright red and sweat like a dray horse, but I cope very well in heat and hot countries. I have a friend who stays wonderfully pale but can't cope with the heat at all and has to sit indoors with the curtains drawn if it gets to more than about eighteen degrees.

If this is the case then I think we just congratulate ourselves on our wonderful self-cooling abilities. And try not to worry. Red face is nothing, everyone is more concerned with covering up their sweat patches.