As a sporty gal or guy, you know your skin can take a beating (along with your muscles!) with chafing and rashes, dryness, cuts and bruises, sun overexposure and more. Your skin needs to be given the same amount of conscious effort as your muscles and nutritional needs both pre and post-workout.
Here is a play-by-play on how to treat your skin before, during and after a sweat sesh at the gym or yoga:
Pre workout
Don't go to the gym all made up pretty with makeup on like a superstar. You need to arrive clean-faced to allow your pores to breathe properly when you exercise and sweat. Makeup will block your pores and you can get a breakout of acne and blackheads. Leave your face clean and natural which is at it's prettiest anyway!
And of course it goes without saying to wear natural deodorant for your sweat sesh that you have applied on clean skin and with clean clothing to look and smell your best. I often shower before my workout that morning or the night before to start the workout fresh and clean. If you are sweaty person you may want to do the same to clean your sweaty armpits before you head out to workout.
It also goes without saying that the key to great skin is hydration!!! So bring that water bottle with you to every workout and be sure you are drinking lots before your workout to replenish what you will lose through sweat.
During Your Workout
Do not touch your face! Ever! The bacteria on your hands from touching gym equipment and weights or a yoga mat is off the charts and will definitely contribute to a breakout not to mention you have other people's DNA all over you. Yuck what a thought. When you touch your sweaty face and skin with open pores from being hot and sweaty, you are depositing that DNA right onto your own skin and potentially into your bloodstream. This may also lead to you getting sick with a virus you pick up unknowingly onto your hands.
Instead use a fresh towel that you bring from home to lay down on the benches, or to wipe your own sweat off your face, and to clean your hands. Use the sanitizer and wipes the gym or yoga studio provides to you to clean down the equipment both before and after use. Finally bring your own yoga mat and yoga mat disinfecting spray with you to yoga practice to be sure it is clean and free of germs and other people's DNA!
After workout
Ever get butt acne?! It happens. That's from sitting in sweaty gym clothes or yoga pants after you are done. Shower and change your clothes as soon as possible to prevent getting body acne and rashes.
1. In the shower, use a mild soap for your body and face that gently cleanses; do not scrub as it may cause additional irritation after your clothes have been rubbing against you. If you don't have time to shower right away at least change your clothes and use natural wipes to clean away the sweat.
2. Pat your skin dry - do not harshly rub it - and apply a natural body moisturizer as soon as possible while still a bit damp. Try one with natural plant based butters and oils and essential oils that have anti-bacterial properties like lavender or lemon.
3. For your face, neck and décolleté be sure to tone and moisturize to restore your pH levels and keep your pores in check before you apply sunscreen and/or makeup. You may also wish to apply a plant based serum to help protect and prevent aging from the elements if you have just done an outdoor workout especially. Our serum has rosehip seed oil in it to help eliminate dark sun spots and wrinkles and is a nice addition to the simple routine of cleanser, toner, serum and moisturizer. Having a good skincare routine will help to keep wrinkles, dryness and dark spots at bay.
And speaking of sunscreen, be sure to look for one with natural mineral-based ingredients with at least an SPF30. Apply liberally to your face, neck and décolletage.
So folks stay active and do so with great skincare in mind, not just thinking about your toned muscles and your namaste.
About Clean Kiss
We create natural and organic products for active, healthy people like you! We proudly make Canadian, artisan-handcrafted wellness products that are simple and pure for your body, face, hair and home. Our specialties are plant based premium skincare, all natural deodorant (that really does work!), and products to tame and manage naturally curly hair.
We are 100% Vegan, GMO free, Gluten Free (and free of all unnecessary garbage!) and Leaping Bunny Certified (meaning we never test on animals and neither do our suppliers).