How to stay fit and have fabulous skin at the same time
Exercising is a great way to have great skin. It increases circulation, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to your skin to repair and boost collagen production. You’re also helping skin cells to regenerate more often—promoting anti-aging! But when you’re hitting the gym often, you’re going to need a good pre- and post-gym skincare routine to make sure you’re glowing without the grime. Here are 6 easy tips to follow.
Before your workout:
1. Thoroughly remove all makeup
Tempting as it may be to hit the treadmill looking like the glossy Instagram models you constantly admire on your feed, exercising with a full face of makeup is a recipe for disaster. When combined with sweat, they significantly enhance the risk of clogged pores and acne. According to super-facialist Debbie Thomas in an interview with Vogue, your skin naturally needs to breathe—even more so during a workout when sweat, heat and open, large pores combine. Carry a pack of makeup remover wipes (oil-based ones are even better at taking makeup off) with you for a quick fix.
2. Use a lightweight moisturiser
Exercising causes your skin to lose water, which can easily lead to dry skin. Using a creamy, heavyweight moisturizer may make your skin greasy, so opt for a gel moisturiser like the Ultra Moisturizing Repair Gel from The Moisturizers Co. It contains both Cucumber extracts that trap moisture and Allantoin to increase the water content of skin cells, and can be used even if you have sensitive skin. This helps you to get hydrated skin without the oiliness, even when you’re working up a sweat. Dab on an adequate amount after removing your makeup—make sure you get your whole face!
3. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
If you think you’re safe from the perils of the sun if you’re exercising indoors, think again. Gyms usually have a fair number of windows to ensure the place is properly lit, and sunlight streaming on your face when you’re focused on your weights can easily cause skin pigmentation over time. To combat this, The American Academy of Dermatology recommends you use a sunscreen with an SPF number of 30 or higher.
After your workout:
1. Get cleansing ASAP
Post-workout is when your skin is a hotbed for bacteria and germs. Use facial cleansing wipes for a quick refresh, then do a proper cleanse before you hit the shower. Remember that using facial wipes is NOT enough to clean your face—the cleansing agents in a wipe may break down debris, but it’s only when you properly wash your face are you really getting rid of the impurities.
2. Gently exfoliate – and not just your face
While you’re paying attention to your face, don’t forget your body! Shape suggests using a deep-cleansing body wash when you’re showering after a workout, as this helps to prevent clogged pores on your skin. Look out for lactic acid, a gentle yet effective exfoliant that is sure to have you looking brand new.
3. Moisturise again!
You know how important a step is when it appears twice! After a thorough cleanse and exfoliation, you can slather on a slightly thicker, luxurious moisturizer like The Moisturizers Co. Cell Regenerate Gel Cream with Mulberry and Squalane to treat your skin to replenish much-needed hydration and nourishment without clogging your pores. Working out also makes your skin flush and your capillaries dilate, so this is a great way to soothe and calm your skin!
Once you get a good pre- and post-gym skincare routine, you’ll realise that it’s not much effort at all to look good both inside and out! Be sure to always bring a clean towel along with you when you’re exercising and never touch your face during your workout, your skin will definitely thank you for it after!
About us: We are Skintelligence, a team focused on a 'skin-first' approach to beauty through artificial intelligence. We match products to you based on your unique skin type and needs. Results are highly accurate and personalized with AI and machine learning. It's fun, convenient, and it works. Try it here.
As featured in Her World, CLEO, FEMALE, Shape, Nuyou, Singapore Women’s Weekly, Daily Vanity, Layers of Skins.