That post-workout endorphin rush is one of the best feelings you’ll have for the entire day. You’re more motivated, more focused—ready to face whatever life has in store for you. However, what’s not enjoyable is when you’re hit by the fact that there’s this annoying itchiness, redness, and blotchiness on your skin that magnifies flaws and imperfections such as the acne scars on your face.
Upping your fitness game is always a good idea, but it’s equally important to do the same for your skin care game. After all, to look good and feel good, you have to take care of your entire body, including your skin.
If you’ve got plans right after your workout or if you just want to feel clean and keep your skin healthy, clear, and glowing, read on for a post-workout skincare routine that may just be what you’re searching for.
1. Avoid Touching Your Face
The secret to healthy skin post-workout? Avoid touching your face while exercising, especially if you’re at the gym and you’re handling sweaty equipment and apparatuses. If you touch your face even once, you’re essentially transferring the germs and bacteria directly to your skin.
Trust us, sanitizing your hands won’t help because repeatedly touching your face will only cause dry patches due to the alcohol content of your sanitizer.
Pandemic or not, try your very best not to touch your face when working out.
2. Pull Your Strands Back
Another tip for healthier post-workout skin is to keep hair away from your face when exercising. Oil as well as the hair products you used for the day can easily drip down to your face and neck if you let your hair down. This causes clogged pores which will then lead to breakouts.
3. Set Your Sweaty Clothes Aside
After your workout, the very first thing you have to do is to get out of the sweaty clothes you’re wearing. Remember that bacteria love sweat because they thrive in it. Your workout clothes trap moisture in your skin, creating the perfect conditions for acne breakouts and other skin problems to pop up on your body.
Make sure to thoroughly wash your workout clothes before you wear them again. You don’t want pore-clogging oils and dirt to get trapped in the fabric.
4. Be Extra Gentle With Your Skin
The longer the sweat stays on your body and face, the higher its chances of seeping into your pores. Hop in the shower or wash your face right after your workout. If none of these are available, pack toner pads in your gym bag and use that to wipe your face down right after your workout.
Working out has that overheating effect so washing your face with cool water is good practice as this prevents the breaking of blood vessels, returning your skin’s temperature to a normal level faster.
Now, when showering or simply washing your face, you may have the urge to scrub off all the sweat, oil, and bacteria you’ve accumulated during your workout, but try not to be too aggressive with your skin. As much as possible, resist the urge to over-scrub. Over exfoliating will only dehydrate your skin and lead to exacerbated acne or skin conditions such as eczema.
Post-workout skin is extremely delicate and prone to micro-abrasions so use a gentle non-drying cleanser and a deep-cleansing body wash to get rid of oils, sweat, and bacteria without irritating or damaging your skin.
Here’s another tip: pat, do not wipe. Toweling can irritate your skin if you’re rubbing too hard. And don’t forget to use a clean, fresh towel!
5. Don’t Forget To Moisturize
Your post-workout skin care regimen wouldn’t be complete without a good-quality moisturizer. Moisturizing your skin helps soothe the itchiness and redness you may experience after an intense sweat session.
Hydrating moisturizers replenish the water your skin lost while working out. Choose something water-based, lightweight, and formulated for your skin type.
6. Protect Yourself With SPF
Whether you’re off to a meeting or running straight home right after your workout, don’t forget to apply sunscreen before you go out there. And we don’t mean just on your face.
Make sure you cover every part that is exposed to sunlight with sunscreen. Opt for one that is lightweight so that clogged pores and sweat won’t be an issue.
Buy Best SPF Product for your skin:
7. Hydration Is Key
For healthier skin, you also have to take good care of your body. This means rehydrating right after your workout.
When in heated environments or when you work up a sweat, your body loses a lot of the moisture that it needs to keep your skin healthy and supple. Drinking the right amount of water helps recover your skin faster so that you can flaunt that post-workout glow.
The act of working out itself boosts your skin’s health in many ways. So now that you’re equipped with post-workout skin care tips to take great care of your skin, you can go out there and sweat it out again!
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