7 Simple Skincare Tips for Before and After the Gym
We all love to exercise to relieve stress and look our best, but when you’re sweating up a storm at the gym three days a week, exercise can start to become your skin’s worst enemy. But don’t worry, you can have your Zumba and great skin by following these simple skincare tips.
#1: Don’t wear makeup at the gym
Combine runny mascara and oily foundation with all of that perspiration, and you’re just asking for some fresh next-day blemishes. Remember, how you look while working out doesn’t matter as much as how you look after working out, so wash off any makeup before you hit the gym.
#2: Pull the hair back
Hair looks great on your head, but not on your skin. The oils from your hair can cause some serious breakout action, so be sure to keep your hair pulled back in a ponytail. Don’t be afraid to use a headband if you have one, and if you have a shorter cut, bobby pins and clips can do the job just as well. Whatever you do, the key is to banish those bangs from your forehead before you get your cardio on.
#3: Always have a fresh towel on hand
You see so many people wiping their sweat on their already sweaty clothes, which can be disastrous for your skin. Instead, take a tip from every sportswear commercial on the television and grab a fresh clean towel each time you work out. Instead of wiping sweat and germs back into your pores, a towel will ensure that you wipe oils away from your skin.
#4: Get Squeaky Clean
Once you finish torching calories and stretching, be sure to head right for the locker room and get clean. You don’t have to shower at the gym, but make it a point to wash your face immediately after every workout. Blemishes can develop in minutes, so bring along a gentle facial cleanser to use at the gym, and go easy on the hot water. Though it’s tempting to use scalding hot water to remove oils, water that’s too hot will strip your skin of the moisture it needs.
#5: Tone Up
Sure, you’ve spent the past hour or so toning up your arms, legs, and core muscles, but once the workout is through, it’s time to tone up your skin. Even after the workout, your skin is still excreting oils, and toners are great for fully cleansing the pores and removing oils after a thorough wash.
#6: Use sunscreen.
Once you’re finished cleansing and toning your skin, don’t forget to apply sunscreen. Sure, applying sunscreen might not seem very important at first, but even in the cool months, those UV rays can do some serious damage to your post-gym skin.
Since your skin will be fresh and clean, you’ll want to use a lightweight sunscreen that won’t clog your pores, like Brush on Block® SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Powder. It comes with a soft brush tip for fast and easy application, and since it goes on dry and translucent, you can even apply it over or beneath makeup.
#7: Hydrate before bed. Your skin repairs itself while you sleep, which means that the best time to re-hydrate thirsty skin is right before bed. Before you get your beauty rest, don’t forget to take a few minutes to keep your skin hydrated and healthy by applying a generous dollop of your favorite PM facial moisturizer.
