How to Treat Post-Workout Skin Issues
Exercise is great for the mind, body, and soul—but what about the skin?
If you’ve found that your daily afternoon run or weekly spin class is leaving you with stubborn redness, irritation or breakouts, you are not alone. Here are five of the most common skin woes you might face after a workout—and how to deal with them:
Here's the science behind it: When you exercise and your body temperature rises, your blood vessels will widen to help dissipate heat from the body and prevent over-heating. This is a very normal process, but does lead to redness or flushing.
Solution: Sheet masks and face mists! If you’re susceptible to exercise-induced tomato face even hours after a workout, your skin will love a refreshing mist like the Heimish Bulgarian Rose Water Mist Serum. Another alternative is the soothing Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Sheet Mask, which you can pop in the fridge for an extra cooling treat.
Not only do the accumulation of sweat, oil, and dirt promote breakouts, shared workout equipments — from yoga mats, weights to boxing gloves — can also be a hotbed for acne-inducing bacteria.
Solution: Don't wear makeup to the gym (an absolute sin), or wipe away sweat with a germ-y hand. Properly cleansing before and after your workout will also help prevent any future breakouts. I love the multi-functional Son & Park Beauty Water as it helps gently cleanse and exfoliate, while also hydrating your skin. If you are craving for a more deeper cleanse after an intense Bikram class, look no further than the nourishing Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing Stick, which is portable enough to chuck into your gym bag.
Other than sweat or dirty workout equipments, bacne can also be caused by not wearing appropriate clothing!
Solution: Wear breathable clothing, and invest in good fabrics that can help wick sweat away from the skin. After working out, you can also use COSRX One Step Pimple Clear Pads on acne-prone areas of your body to prevent any dead skin cells or bacteria buildup.
Chances are, it's not your workout that's sucking the life (and moisture) out of your skin, but the hot and long showers that accompany it. Showering with hot water feels heavenly, but can also strip away your skin's protective oils, resulting in skin that is dry, tight and sometimes even itchy!
Solution: Don’t shower with water that’s too hot, and stick to gentle, low-pH cleansers when cleansing your face.
Prolonged time outdoors with exposure to harmful UV rays ages the skin by breaking down collagen and elastin. The result? Unwanted fine lines and wrinkles.
Solution: Wearing a cap and sunglasses are great ways to decrease your skin’s exposure to harmful UV rays, but the most important thing is to apply (and re-apply) sunscreen.
Do you have a gym workout routine, or any must-have products? Let me know in the comments!
