5 Post-Workout Skin Care Tips to Give You a Healthy Glow
Working out is something that many women consider a regular part of their self-care routine. But, when it comes to skincare, exercise can be a source of stress because it can make our skin irritated and red.
Spending a lot of time in badly-ventilated gyms, or just the fact that sweat can irritate the skin is enough for some to get fed up. Luckily, there are things you can do in order to preserve glowy skin, even after you’re done working out:
1. First, establish a routine
Using the best products is of no use if you don’t follow certain steps in a particular order. A typical skincare routine includes cleansing, toning and moisturising. These three basic steps should be an integral part of every beauty routine. It’s also recommended exfoliating once or twice a week and to treat yourself to a facial mask at least once a month. If you can afford it, you can also have a facial treatment, but make sure that you choose a licensed beautician who knows how to treat your skin type. The key is to find out what works for you. It might take some time, but don’t give up.
2. Don’t touch your face unless you must
Our hands and fingertips contain many germs so if your skin is easily irritated, then you should keep your hands off of your face. Especially if you go to gyms and yoga studios. They might seem clean, but floors, mattresses and exercising machines are actually full of microbes. So, if you have to wipe your face, it’s recommended you use a face towel or a sweatband. Also, a lot of people (especially women!) are constantly tempted to squeeze pimples which is a big no. Treating zits manually can be oddly satisfying, and if you must, it’s preferred to use pimple squeezing tools or go to a professional who’ll do it painlessly. If you still want to do it alone, just wash your hands and use a toner or an ice cube after popping to reduce the swelling and bacteria.
3. Stay hydrated
You’ve probably heard this many times before, and you probably follow this rule. You might even have a cute personalised water bottle you bring to the gym. Still, it’s also important mentioning you should stay hydrated before and after your workout session. Drinking water only after you’ve started training isn’t going to enough. Have one glass of water before you start, and one after you’re finished to make up for all the liquids you’ve lost while you were exercising. Also, add herbal teas to your everyday diet. Teas are full of antioxidants so it’s no wonder that East Asians have such flawless skin. Tea is their number one drink for a reason.
4. Don’t use overly aggressive products
It’s tempting to use an alcohol-based toner or a high foaming cleanser to get rid of all the dirt, but before you decide to buy any of those, be careful. Alcohol and sulphates found in many skin care products are actually harmful to the skin. They are too aggressive and drying. It’s always better to pick a natural or organic product infused with natural oils and mild cleansers, like coco betaine. Jojoba facial cleanser is mild but effective and it will leave you with clean and soft skin. Before you buy any product, make sure to read the labels on the back of the bottle. Avoid anything that has artificial colouring and fragrances as they can be irritating for those with sensitive skin.
5. Don’t skimp on the moisturiser
If you don’t pay much attention to face creams, you should definitely start to do that. Moisturising is the final and often, the most important step in our skincare routine. Also, choose a moisturiser depending on the season. If your skin is prone to get dry, pick a cream that has humectants as they’re used to increase the level of moisture. On the other hand, if your skin’s oily, use light moisturisers that can also absorb the excess oil. Always check the ingredients before shopping and be careful when applying it onto your face. The best way is to massage or tap it gently into your skin using upward strokes.
Follow these steps regularly and your skin will be flawless. Don’t get worried if you don’t see the results immediately. It takes time for your skin to get used to a new routine, so patience, in this case, is really a virtue.