Post-Workout Skincare Routine
It’s great to work out to keep yourself fit and healthy. But in the pursuit to maintain your physical health, don’t ignore your skin health. Indulging in a workout routine helps you manage stress, maintain body weight, promote mental health, and boost self-esteem. However, the intense exercises and post-workout feel-good endorphins can sometimes leave your skin feeling irritated, sweaty and prone to acne, which can trigger various skin concerns if not dealt with properly. Does this mean you should give up on working out to protect your skin? Of course, not! What you need is a dedicated post-workout skincare routine that will help you keep sweaty and irritated skin at bay. Read on as we share how to build an easy yet effective post-workout skincare regimen along with some fool-proof tips to enhance your skin health.
Post-workout skincare routine
Maximise the benefits of exercising while taking optimum care of your skin with this simple after-workout skincare routine:
Step 1: Cleanse
Even if you can’t hop into the shower after an exhaustive workout session, always cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser ASAP. Because the longer you procrastinate, the higher the chances of your pores getting clogged with dead skin cells, bacteria, etc.
Look for a cleanser that helps clean the pores, and germs, and wash away excess oil from the skin. Consider using a salicylic acid-based cleanser or purifying neem face wash for best results. These ingredients can single-handedly deep cleanse the pores, and dislodge sweat, oil, impurities, and debris from the skin to prevent breakouts. Some experts suggest including the double cleansing method in post-workout skincare routine. And use lukewarm water for optimal cleansing results.
Step 2: Serum
To keep your post-workout glow intact and prevent redness, you can apply a nourishing face serum with anti-inflammatory properties. Go for a vitamin C serum for healthy glow and hydrated skin. What’s more! The anti-inflammatory actions of vitamin C can help with redness, blemishes, and grave skin woes like uneven skin tone and dark spots.
Step 3: Moisturize (Day + Evening)
When you work out, the capillaries on the skin’s surface dilate, fetching more blood to the surface. That’s why, you notice flushed or red skin coupled with sweat. Including a moisturiser into your before and after workout skincare can help your skin feel calm and get soothing results for redness and itchiness. Pick a lightweight hydrating moisturiser based on your skin type. If you are scheduled for daytime workout training, then you must not forget to include sunblock in your pre- and post-skincare routine (even if you are indoors or heading back to your workplace). You can either choose to layer a separate sunscreen or apply sun control moisturiser to get both sunblock and moisturisation benefits. Use a dedicated vitamin C night cream on cleansed skin once you come back from gym, yoga or Zumba class.
Step 4: Sheet mask (Evening)
Racing heart, sweaty skin, and thirsty mouth – it is your usual after-gym scenario, right? At this point in time, you might feel more relaxed and refreshed but your body can lose all the strength to get up to reach home let alone follow a skincare. However, this additional after-gym skincare step can let you steal some more ‘me-time’ from your busy life and enjoy a relaxing and soothing experience post workout. Choose a purifying, hydrating, and soothing green tea serum sheet mask and unwind your soul, body, and skin while you sip your favourite post-workout drinks.
Pro tip: Keep a clean towel with you to swipe away sweat and don’t forget to drink plenty of water hydrate your skin and restore fluid balance in your body.
Skincare and body care tips during workout
Here are some before and after-gym skincare tips you need to abide by to avoid skin concerns:
Go makeup free
Exercise will give you a natural and healthy glow so you don’t need to wear makeup before heading towards your workout session. If you are heading straight to the gym post office, don’t forget to remove your makeup with oil-infused micellar water for quick and effective results.
Don’t exfoliate after the gym
Did you know your skin becomes delicate and prone to micro-abrasions after a workout? Hence, rigorous scrubbing after exercise is a big NO!
Take care of your body
Fungal skin infections are common among physically active people. That’s why, taking anti-bacterial and anti-fungal precautions are necessary. Don’t share personal care items like yoga mats or towel. Also, don’t step into shower or locker room barefoot in the gym to avoid fungal infection.
Now that you have a post-workout skincare routine in place, you can start nurturing your skin right away! Memorize the after-gym skincare steps and pointers and keep acne breakouts, redness, and itchiness at bay.
For skincare product recommendations and genius tips, browse through the Garnier skincare products and skincare tips and learn the secrets of healthy skin.