Protecting Your Skin Pre- And Post-Workout

We all know exercise is good for us. It even has plenty of benefits for our skin, leaving that flushed, healthy glow. But without proper care, you can find yourself the victim of breakouts. Sweat is a natural and healthy way to cleanse toxins from the body, but with dirt lurking on the skin surface, it can lead to clogged pores.

To prevent blemishes, blackheads, and other skin problems, the key is to practice a pre-workout and post-workout skincare routine. Here are some tips for keeping your skin healthy no matter how intense the workout. 

Always Cleanse Your Skin

While both men and women should cleanse their faces prior to exercise, women are the most prone here due to makeup. Getting all dolled up for the gym isn’t the best idea since sweat and oil will make a nasty pore-clogging combination that will result in breakouts.

Try Portable Skincare

Makeup-removing face wipes are an ideal solution if you’re on limited time or decide to go for broke and run in the park instead without a sink in sight.

Keep Skin Hydrated

Don’t just wash your face and go though. Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep skin comfortable. If you miss your makeup, use one with a tint to keep a healthy, natural glow.

Use Sunscreen When Exercising Outdoors

If you want to keep looking youthful, make sure you take the time to slather on sunscreen before getting into your sweat sesh outdoors. You should choose one with broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection with no less than an SPF of 15 and no more than SPF 50. Choose a formula that is waterproof and sweatproof too so you’ll always be covered.

Wipe Down All Equipment Before Use

Did the sweaty guy using the chest press before you wipe down the seat after he finished? Even if he did with a gym towel, lingering bacteria from his sweat could still be there. If you touch any part of that with your skin from your fingers and then to your face, or with the parts of your body that are exposed - shoulders or backs of legs for example - it transfers onto your skin. Use antibacterial wipes before you use any shared equipment to keep skin safe.

Never Wipe Your Face With Your Hands

After working out, remember the golden rule of “hands off.” Don’t wipe your sweat away with your hands. Instead, take a clean gym towel with you and use it religiously to wipe sweat away. Make sure you always use a clean, fresh towel for every workout.

Change Out Of Your Gym Clothes

Even if you’ve cooled off and are no longer all sweaty, wearing sweaty gym clothes isn’t ideal for any part on your body. It can cause body acne, something no one wants. Wash off as soon as you can.

Perform Your Skincare Regimen Again

After all that sweating, cleansing your skin again is important. Use a cleanser that hydrates to keep from drying out your skin. Be sure to apply your moisturizer after that while skin is still damp to seal in that hydration.

With pre- and post-workout skin regimens in place, you’ll always have fresh and healthy skin no matter how hard you play at the gym!

Looking for 100% chemical-free, all-natural nourishing face and body oils? Check out Earth & Elm Nourishing Face Oil and Earth & Elm Nourishing Body Oil. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:

Jennifer Raskin is a freelance writer, wife and mom that loves cold weather despite her location in Florida, cooking, reading, watching ‘80s movies, weight-lifting, and wine tasting.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

Photo by Tony Woodhead on Unsplash