How To Take Care Of Your Skin Pre, During, and Post Workout

Working out is great for your health and body. Whether you prefer going to the gym or for a run outside, working out can give your skin the healthy glow effortlessly, for which you put in so much money and visit the salon every month.

I have seen a lot of women coming to the gym with open hairs and loads of makeup on their face and believe me that’s the worst thing to do to your skin and makeup products. First of all, nothing is going to stay on once you start sweating, so what’s the point in wasting all that makeup. Secondly, I simply fail to understand- how the hell are they able to work out like this!!! Ladies just let your skin breathe while you workout.

Working out can improve the blood circulation making you glow post your workout sessions. But everything good comes with its share of cons. Sweating while exercising is a factor which can cause breakouts and clog your pores, damaging your skin and complexion, if you don’t take proper care of your skin post, pre and during the workout.

These simple steps can protect your skin from any damage while you sweat like anything in the gym.

Pre-Workout Skin Care

1. Cleansing

Clean your face properly using a mild cleanser before your workout. When you workout your pores open and if you have any makeup on that will combine with sweat and oil to enter the pores. Clogged pores can lead to breakouts in the form of red pain-free bumps called acne cosmetica.

If you are a morning person and go to the gym from your home, wash your face at home before you leave. But most of us have a jam-packed day and we may squeeze in workout sessions in between. If you head to the gym after office or in between, carry facial wipes to wipe off all the makeup before you start sweating out in the gym.

Also Read: 70 Beauty Hacks- The Ultimate Guide

2. Moisturise and Protect Your Skin

Cleansing your face along with removing makeup also strips your skin of natural oils. So, moisturising your skin is essential after cleansing even when you have to work out. But use a light moisturiser such as a gel or water-based moisturiser.

If you workout outside, don’t forget to put on sunscreen. To minimise the number of products you put on your face, use a moisturiser with SPF. For best protection, use a water or gel-based broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.

3. Tie Your Hairs

I seriously don’t get it- how some women manage to run on the treadmill with their hairs open. If you use any sort of hair spray or any other hair product, seriously tie your hair before working out. The products mix up with sweat and run down on your face and neck causing unwanted breakouts. Keeping your hair away from your face is a key component in working towards healthier, cleaner skin during your workout.   

Even if you don’t use any hair products the oils from your hair can transfer to your face during workout and cause additional irritation to the skin. So, tie your locks and focus on your workout and not on how to keep them away from your face.

Also Read: How To Do Your Hair Spa Treatment At Home

Skin Care During Workout

1. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated while you workout is important both for your skin and body. While you are exercising you lose a lot of body fluid in the form of sweat, so it’s crucial that you keep yourself hydrated. Skin is the largest organ, and it is the first one to be dehydrated. Drinking water while you workout will also increase your day’s total water intake which will keep your skin naturally hydrated and moisturised.

Also Read: Top 14 Tips For Summer Skincare

2. Hands Off

Gym equipments can be the breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria and if you touch your face or body during your workout, you'll transfer bacteria directly to your skin, which can lead to breakouts.

You have no idea how many people have used them before you did. So always clean the equipments with your facial wipes before you use them. If this sounds too much of a task and you don’t want to spend half the time cleaning every equipment you use, just don’t touch your face till you finish working out and have washed your hands. Carry a small towel in your gym to wipe your face while exercising.

Avoid using a headband across your forehead. It covers up the pores and your skin's ability to breathe properly during a workout and can cause the pores to get clogged.  

Post-Workout Skin Care

1. Wash Your Face

As soon as you finish working out, wash your face again with a mild cleanser and get rid of the sweaty clothes. Wearing sweaty clothes or not washing your face can lead to clogged pores, breakouts on face and body. So, clean your skin to let it breathe freely.

2. Take a Bath

If you head home after working out or your gym has bathrooms take a shower to remove the build-up of bacteria and sweat in the pores. Now, this might not be possible for everyone, you might be using your office gym so it might get a little difficult to take a shower there. In that case, at least use antibacterial wipes to clean yourself before changing and pay extra attention to acne-prone areas where sweat accumulates most, such as the chest, back, and stomach when cleaning.

For those, who take a shower no matter how tempting and relaxing it sounds don’t take a hot shower. Hot water can strip your skin of natural oils leaving it dry and flaky. Either go for a lukewarm water bath or cold shower.

Also Read: 26 Best DIY Body Scrubs

3. Moisturise

After taking a shower use a soothing body oil to moisturise your body. You can use magnesium oil all over your body. It is not only a great moisturiser but also relieves you from aches, pains, inflammation and muscle soreness.

And don’t forget to tone and moisturise your face as well to re-hydrate your skin. The capillaries under your skin dilate and raise your body’s core temperature after working out. Use a moisturiser which soothes your skin such as the ones containing aloe vera or chamomile. If you have dry skin you can also use a soothing facial oil.

4. Do Not Apply Heavy Makeup

Avoid applying heavy makeup immediately after working out. Let your skin breathe for a while after the workout, as your skin and pores are hot and sweaty. Any make-up will clog them and so you’ll end up using more product than necessary and congest the skin even further.

Also Read: How And Why To Use A Beauty Blender Sponge

5. Wash Your Hairs

Not just your skin your hairs and scalp need care too after every session. If you workout almost daily washing your hairs every day is not possible. But then what is the solution to get rid of all the sweat and oil clogging your scalp pores. Try using a dry shampoo to absorb moisture. It will give your hairs a great texture.

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