Dos and don’ts of skincare before and after a workout

Regular exercise has tremendous benefits for our overall health. It keeps problems like obesity away, it boosts mental health and happiness plus, it comes with added beauty benefits for your skin.

How you ask?

Well, exercise boosts nutrient circulation to your skin cells which naturally gives you that rejuvenated look.

On top of that, working out is a stress reliever which also helps slow down the ageing process as well as preventing stress related breakouts.

But how well do you care for your skin before and after hitting the gym?

To be honest, most of us don’t even put a thought into it. You step into the shower, slather that body wash and five minutes later you’re on your merry way.

What we forget is, the sweat can cause havoc if we don’t properly observe hygiene. Here are some of the things you need to have in mind before and after a workout:

Do not wear makeup

Sometimes there can be a lot of pressure to look cute at all times even while going to the gym or for a jog. But truthfully speaking, no one really looks sexy in the middle of a hard workout so why bother anyway?

For that reason, you should leave the makeup behind before you start exercising. The particles could clog your pores and lead to a breakout especially since your pores open up while you sweat.

Allow your skin to breathe naturally so you can also maximize on the benefits. The next best option if you feel uncomfortable without makeup if trying tinted moisturizers.

Do not ignore outdoor workout prepping

Outdoor workouts have always been so fun and freeing. You feel unstoppable when you have a perfectly cool breeze brushing against your skin with every move.

All that is wonderful until you have to deal with the consequence of not applying sunscreen.

So, as you prepare yourself for a fun workout outdoors, don’t forget to apply a good amount of sunscreen. This will help protect you from so many problems like sunspots and reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Do take a shower post-workout

Sweating has great pluses for your skin including moisturizing, exfoliating and detoxifying benefits. There are even noticeable differences like an added radiance after each session.

But at the same time, letting the sweat sit on your skin for too long can clog your pores and cause breakouts especially if you have sensitive skin.

This can also happen if you sit in your sweaty workout clothes for a long-time post-workout.

To be on the safe side, always try and schedule your exercise session in a way whereby you can accommodate a quick shower.

Do switch up your face care routine

After working out, your skin is more sensitive than usual. With the open pores, you should be extra careful on how you handle it to prevent any damage.

You should always start by washing your hands before you touch your face because there are usually a lot of bacteria lurking on gym equipment that you certainly don’t want on your face.

Next, choose gentle skin care products like gentle soaps or cleansers and save the harsher products for another day.

Lastly, just gently pat your face dry with a clean towel and apply a light moisturizer or sunscreen if you plan on leaving the house.