How to Prevent Skin Flare-Ups When You Sweat a Lot - Skincare Tips for Gym-Goers

If you frequent the gym or like to work out at home, the results are often the same. Exercising and working up a sweat is great for the body but can sometimes cause issues when it comes to skin. If you have trouble with breakouts, this compilation of tips should help you out:

Skip the Hot Shower

First of all, you should not skip the shower altogether! Showering after a workout is essential, as you need to wash away all that sweat and grime. One mistake that lots of people make, however, is showering with hot water. Heat feels good on sore muscles, but its bad news for the skin.

If you suffer from acne, try a cold shower for acne instead. Start with the temperature warm and use a good anti-bacterial soap, like one that uses tea tree oil, then turn the temperature down and feel invigorated before stepping out.

Never Wear Makeup

Makeup isn’t actually bad for the skin; in fact, some makeup formulas contain beneficial ingredients. Wearing makeup for normal daily activities is fine, as long as you thoroughly cleanse the skin and don’t wear it for long periods of time - sleeping in makeup is a no-no! Wearing makeup to the gym is an even bigger mistake, as working out causes you to swear and your pores to open up. This can draw in makeup, dirt, and bacteria into the skin and cause irritation and breakouts. Wearing makeup is fine, but make sure you remove all of it and cleanse the skin before any work-out.

Cleanse and Moisturize

Even if you don’t wear makeup, cleansing the skin to remove any dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria from the face before a workout is essential. Nobody’s skin remains perfectly clean throughout the day or night, so you should start with a freshly cleaned face before a workout. As mention previously, exercising causes pores to open up and anything on the skin is more likely to cause breakouts. You should make it routine to cleanse the face before and after every workout with a gentle cleanser, followed by a good moisturizer. Moisturizing after cleansing is important, so don’t skip this step.

Hydrate Inside and Out

When you work out, you will lose moisture through sweat and heavier than normal breathing, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout your routine. Staying hydrated is good for the skin, as well as the rest of your body. You can also use a hydrating mist spray on your face to instantly feel refreshed. Hydrating mists are a product that many beauty and health stores stock, as a variety of brands produce them. They are an easy way to add more nutrients to the skin and add another layer of moisturizer. If you don’t want to buy one, you could also try making your own!

Avoid Touching Your Face

Whilst its good practice to wipe down machines before and after use, not everyone remembers to do this. The amount of sweat and bacteria that can be found on gym equipment is a concern when it comes to the skin, so the last thing you want to do is touch your face after touching anything. This is a tip that should be followed outside of the gym too. Our hands can easily collect dirt, germs, and bacteria, so you should always avoid introducing this to your face. Never touch your face unless you have just washed your hands. If you need to wipe your face, use a clean cloth instead. You can also wear a sweatband, which will keep sweat out of your eyes and remove some of the temptation to touch your face.

Wear the Right Stuff

Gym clothing exists to serve several purposes, one of which is breathability and sweat absorption. The fabrics used in gym clothing are often manufactured to help wick away sweat and help allow air to circulate, which is helpful when it comes to keeping skin happy. Make sure your clothing is comfortable to wear and the fabrics don’t irritate your skin. If you are using lots of equipment with your hands, protect your hands with gloves to avoid irritation and blisters. You should also keep hair tied back and wear an elasticated headband to keep the hair out of your face too. Letting your hair touch your face can also cause irritation and breakouts, especially if you use hair products. Just like you shouldn’t touch your face with your hands, stopping hair from touching the face is recommended too.

Working out is great for your health and keeping the body in good shape. By following these tips, your skin can enjoy the benefits of your workout too, without any unwanted breakouts and irritation. Exercising is good for the skin, improving circulation and reducing stress, so don’t let a bit of sweat get between you and glowing, healthy skin!