How Do I Care For My Skin When I Work Out?
By now, most of us know the importance of washing our face after a sweat sesh. But it turns out it’s actually more important to cleanse before. Especially, if you head to the gym at the end of the day or after work. At that point of the day, you have dirt, oil, bacteria, pollution, skincare products/SPF, and makeup (if you wear it) already on your skin. Then, when you combine all of that with sweat it significantly enhances the risk and production of clogged pores and acne.
Plus, there is a phenomenon called "acne mechanica” which is acne caused by heat and/or rubbing on the skin. It can develop anywhere on your face or body and common causes are the friction from wiping your face with a gym towel, back acne from your sports bra or where athletic equipment sits on the skin like a chin straps from a helmet. So what to do to prevent this?
Pre-Workout
Wash your face - sorry, wipes don’t count unless you are doing a proper cleanse directly after.
Only apply a light moisturizer or SPF if you are working out outside.
During
No touchy - bring a clean towel to blot the sweat off your face and try to avoid touching your face with dirty hands. I like these microfiber towels because they have a loop so you can find a place to hang it to keep it cleaner.
Post-Workout
Hit the showers - cleanse your face and get out of those tight-fitting sweaty clothes ASAP.
Hydrate - sweating dehydrates the skin and if your body is dehydrated you have a higher salt content in your sweat which can actually irritate the skin. So drink up and don’t skip moisturizer post-workout. I love these water bottles from BKR, they are glass bottles with a silicone cover and they are just the cutest!
Pro Tip:
Clean your earbuds with rubbing alcohol to prevent blackheads or zits in your ears, it does happens!
