Exercise is great for our minds and bodies but did you know it’s also great for our skin too?
The skin is an organ of elimination and waste. When we work out our bodies produce natural waste products such as ammonia, urea, sugar and salts some are flushed out from the body via sweat.
Keeping skin in tiptop condition shouldn’t be a chore here are some easy but extremely effective steps you can take to care for your skin pre and post-exercise and during too!
Here are some tips to get the best from your skin routine, to ensure happy, healthy skin during your workout.
Pre workout
- Start with clean skin before you hit that workout to avoid breakouts and congestion.
- Keep skin clear of heavy make-up like foundation, blush or correctors. If you want some coverage wear an oil free, light-weight, tinted moisturiser. And opt for waterproof mascara, it’s better than panda eyes!
- Before (and after) you work out, spritz your skin with a hydrating toner or an anti- inflammatory, calming mist. Keep in fridge if you can, it feels so refreshing!
During a workout
- Keep long hair tied back and off the face and keep your fringe off your face too. This will help with those pesky breakouts.
- Keep styling products away from hairline, they can build up and this can cause breakouts.
- Keep it clean, your towel that is! How often do you touch your face during a work out keep it cleaner by using a towel to mop up that sweat .
- Exercising outdoors is great for the body and mind just remember to protect against UVA by applying sunscreen with a minimum of SPF20 at least 20 minutes prior to sun exposure, then again every two hours.
Post-workout
It is best to wait a few minutes until the skin has cooled down before applying post-workout products so they can absorb effectively. Take a cool shower, use cool facial towels, drink cool water, all these steps will help reduce the skin temperature and stop it from purging waste via sweat.
- Remember post work out it’s important to remove the sweat, dirt, pollutants, bacteria and dead skin.
- Apply a hydrating booster or serum under moisturiser to replenish lost moisture and combat dryness.
- If the skin is prone to redness after a workout, apply a calming serum designed to bring down the redness.
- Exfoliate and follow with a clearing or hydrating masque a couple of times per week to keep the skin clear of congestion and super smooth