Caring for your skin the right way before and after a workout

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Working out is known to be beneficial for both our mental and physical health. It can give our skin a healthy glow, but it can also trigger breakouts if we don’t maintain a proper skin care regimen. Sweat and dirt can clog pores during a workout, leading to breakouts and blackheads. Fortunately, there are ways that you can keep your skin looking clear and bright, even after a hard workout.

Below are some skin care tips for people who love to workout.

1. If you can, skip the makeup.

If you’re about to head to a workout, it’s best to do so with a clean, makeup-free face. As your body heats up during a workout, your pores open and you don’t want that makeup to settle back into the pores.

When you’re working out, your skin should be able to breathe, but if you aren’t completely comfortable going out with a bare face, use makeup products that won’t clog pores ― non-comedogenic is the magic word to look for on labels.

2. Always, always, always wash your face post-workout.

This one is a must whether you do or don’t wear makeup to the gym.

It’s very important to clean skin gently following a workout to remove bacteria and sweat residue that accumulated during your workout. It’s also helpful to cool off skin to prevent breaking of blood vessels and return skin temperature to a normal level quicker.

Even a quick splash of cool water post-workout is a good practice. Wash away sweat, oils and bacteria without irritating your skin, then add moisturizer before reapplying any makeup.

3. Pick the right gym towel.

Yes, there is such a thing as the right gym towel.

Many gyms provide towels for patrons to use, but bringing your own ensures you know exactly when and how it was cleaned. If the gym uses a detergent you’re not used to or are perhaps allergic to, your skin could have an allergic reaction.

Then there’s the issue of absorbency.

The fluffier and thicker the towel, the more chance it will hold on to bacteria even through a wash cycle. And if you’re someone who uses a towel more than once ― no judgment, we’ve all done it ― that’s even more reason to take care when choosing a gym towel.

4. Keep your hair off your face.

If you have longer hair ― this goes for both men and women ― it’s best to keep it pulled back and away from your face during a workout.

This helps prevent oils and any hair products you used that day from clogging your pores, which can cause breakouts.

5. Don’t touch your face!

We already reminded you that gyms are full of germs and other people’s sweat. which should be enough to convince you not to touch your face when you’re at the gym. This tip is especially important for anyone who’s working with various apparatuses that others are also using, as you don’t want to spread any bacteria onto your skin.

We know it’s hard to refrain from doing it, but do your best to not touch your face until you wash your hands. Cleaning your hands should be the first thing that you do.