How gross is it to wear yesterday’s unwashed workout gear?

Unless your last ‘workout’ was 30 minutes laid in corpse pose, it’s not the best idea. ‘Working out causes the body to produce more sweat and moisture than usual, which can then become trapped in gym clothing,’ says cosmetic doctor Dr Shirin Lakhani. And when you throw on that pair of leggings for another session? ‘The bacteria and particles of dirt that are clinging to your clothes rub on to your skin and trigger the inflammatory response that causes acne and folliculitis,’ Dr Lakhani explains. Playing fast and loose with hygiene isn’t great for your crotch area, either. ‘The build-up of sweat in the groin from rewearing old workout clothes can alter the natural ph level of the vagina, increasing the likelihood of conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, while the bacteria build-up is a risk factor for yeast infections and UTIS,’ she adds. If rewearing a dirty item simply cannot be avoided, taking a shower as soon as you finish your session will reduce your risk of undesirable outcomes, while choosing breathable materials, such as cotton and Lycra, for your workout wardrobe will reduce the bacterial breeding ground in the first place.