If one of your New Years resolutions this year was to get healthier and fit by exercising more, I applaud you. Whether you decided to hit the gym, exercise at home, or take those running shoes you bought last Christmas for a spin, you must ensure that your skin is workout ready.
Taking care of your body is important for your physical health, but you can’t neglect your skin in the process. Skipping your pre and post workout skin care routine can lead to poor skin health, plugged oil glands, acne and dull appearance. It’s no secret that workouts can lead to your biggest breakouts, there is a way to prevent or reduce the effects by following a few easy steps:
Pre Workout Skin Care Routine
- Lose the makeup. This should be a no-brainer, but it’s important to make sure your skin is free of any makeup prior to working out. Your skin will be able to breathe, and you will avoid clogged pores, which are one of the main causes of breakouts.
- Apply a moisturizer. When you exercise, you lose a lot of water. This water loss leaves your skin dehydrated and in need for a moisturizer. To combat this, make sure to use a lightweight moisturizer, which will help to retain the water in the skin. Dehydrated skin increases surface lines and causes skin cells to die prematurely, leading to premature aging.
- Wash your face. A good cleanse before exercising is to ensure that the sweat that builds ups during your workout is clean. Otherwise, you risk developing acne. A thorough face wash will do the trick.
- Get hair off your face. Sweat can cause oil and dirt to accumulate in hairline areas, and can also cause hair products to transfer to your face. Various hair products can cause pores to clog, thus leading to breakouts. Be sure to wear a sweatband or at least withhold from using unnecessary hair products hitting the gym.
Post Workout Skin Care Routine
- Shower. I feel like I don’t need to emphasize this too much, but it’s worth noting that a refreshing shower with warm water will help in detoxing your skin.
- Cleanse, tone and moisturize. The cleansing-toning-moisturizing routine will help prevent a possible breakout. Follow a routine that suits your skin type.
- Rehydrate. Always remember to apply a moisturizer after your bath, while the skin is still damp. This way you’ll be certain that the moisture will be sealed to your skin, and this way you’ll boost your skin’s resistance to any dirt it may encounter.
