When you’re hustling from class to practice to homework, it’s easy to forget about your skin. But skipping your post-sweat cleanse can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and irritation that keep your skin from feeling its best. Here are the top five mistakes student athletes make and how to avoid them!

1. Letting Sweat Sit Too Long

Sweat itself isn’t bad — it’s your body’s way of cooling down. But when it dries on your skin, it traps salt, oil, and bacteria in your pores. That’s a one-way ticket to breakouts, especially around your forehead, nose, and chin.
💡 RALLY Tip: Always rinse or wipe your face after practice, even if you can’t do a full wash right away. Our RALLY Exfoliating Toner is perfect for quick cleanups on the go.

2. Forgetting to Clean Under Gear

Helmets, chin straps, goggles, and pads trap sweat and friction right against your skin. That buildup can cause irritation, redness, and breakouts known as “sports acne.”
💡 RALLY Tip: Focus your cleanse on areas that come in contact with your gear. A gentle, pH-balanced cleanser like the RALLY Face Cleanser helps keep your skin clear without stripping it dry.

3. Reusing Dirty Towels or Face Wipes

Wiping your face with a dirty towel is basically rubbing old sweat and bacteria right back onto your skin. Same goes for using the same makeup wipes over and over (gross, we know).
💡 RALLY Tip: Keep a clean towel in your gym bag or stash a pack of fresh cotton rounds for your toner. Small swap, big difference.

4. Skipping Moisturizer After Cleansing

A lot of athletes skip moisturizer thinking it’ll make their skin oily, but cleansing without rehydrating can actually cause more oil production and irritation.
💡 RALLY Tip: After washing, use a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin balanced and healthy — especially after sweating.