You’re always going to feel great after a workout.
But a combination of sweating and overheating can leave your skin prone to acne, breakouts, redness and irritation.
We want to make sure your skin stays looking good while you up your fitness game.
Read on for a post workout skincare routine that keeps your skin looking clear, healthy and glowing.
Keep your skin looking clear and healthy after working up a sweat
The benefits of exercise for your skin
Working out is one of the best things you can do for your overall health, and for your mental health too.
And it can be really beneficial to your skin as well.
- A healthy glow - the Increased blood flow from working out gives your skin a healthy glow, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to your skin cells and keeping your skin looking younger.
- Smooth, even-toned complexion - regular exercise helps to relieve stress. Stress is a common trigger for skin conditions like eczema and acne, as well as causing dryness, an uneven skin tone and signs of premature aging. Anything you can do to reduce your stress levels is going to have a really good effect on your skin.
- Younger looking skin – working out has anti-aging benefits too. Improved blood circulation promotes new skin cells and encourages collagen production. Collagen provides the framework to your skin so increasing these levels can make you look younger, reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
Now for the bad news ...
Sweating can cause skin problems
Sweat, oil and bacteria can build up on your skin during your workout and clog your pores causing acne breakouts.
And the salts from sweat can be drying and irritating – so it’s vital not to let it sit on your skin for too long after you exercise.
If sweat is not rinsed off properly these salts can clog your pores and make you more prone to breakouts.
And over-heating from working up a sweat can increase redness and trigger skin conditions like rosacea.
So it’s really important to take care of your skin after you work out…
Caring for your post workout skin
Keeping your complexion clear and healthy after you exercise is a question of cleaning, cooling and hydrating your skin (and being choosy about the skincare products you use as well).
Sweat, oil and bacteria can build up on your skin during exercise and clog pores
ACTION PLAN: Post Workout Skincare Routine
Following this routine after every workout will ensure that your skin is always looking it’s very best.
#1: Get out of your sweaty workout clothes ASAP
First thing after a workout be sure to get out of those sweaty clothes. They trap moisture next to your skin, creating the perfect conditions for acne breakouts on your body. Not to scare you but there's a type of yeast found on the skin that thrives in the warm, moist conditions created by your sweaty clothes and this can cause fungal acne to develop!
Always make sure to wash your workout clothes before wearing them again. Pore-clogging oils and dirt can get trapped in the fabric and then be transferred to your skin the next time you exercise.
#2: Hop into the shower
The next step is to shower off any sweat, oil, dirt and bacteria that may have accumulated during your workout. If these are not rinsed off properly they can clog your pores and make you more prone to acne.
#3: Wash your face gently
After a workout it’s really important to thoroughly clean your face to prevent breakouts.
You also want to exfoliate away dead skin cells to stop them from clogging your pores. But don't be too aggressive with your skin, and resist the urge to over scrub.
Post workout skin is especially delicate and prone to micro dermo-abrasions so always use a gentle non-drying face wash rather than a bar of soap or a harsh exfoliating scrub.
Our Daily Face Wash is a gentle, exfoliating face wash that will wash away the sweat, oil and bacteria - without damaging your skin or making your face feel dry.
This multi-action face wash does double duty - cleaning and exfoliating in one step.
Daily Face Wash includes:
☑️ Lactic Acid to gently exfoliate away dead skin cells, unclog pores and stimulate cell renewal
☑️ Tea Tree Oil to purify your skin and help to regulate excess oil
☑️ Black Tea Extract, rich in anti-oxidants, to help defend against environmental damage
☑️ Aloe Vera and Glycerin to soothe, hydrate and condition your skin.
Washing with our exfoliating Daily Face Wash keeps your face feeling fresh and clean every day (and especially after a sweaty workout!)
Exfoliating Face Wash for Fresh, Glowing Skin
How to use: Use warm water to wash your face, and finish with a quick splash of cool water to return your skin temperature to normal levels and prevent breaking blood vessels.
#4: Always use a clean, fresh towel
Dry your face, by patting lightly with a clean, soft towel.
You want to choose one that is not too thick and fluffy because that can harbour bacteria.
Make sure you keep the towel just to be used by you (and just on your face!)
And then try to wash it after each use (or at least once a week)
If you have acne, remember not to rub at your skin with the towel, as this could irritate your skin and spread infection.
#5: Moisturize
Apply a light moisturiser post-workout to hydrate and soothe your skin, to reduce redness and encourage a healthy glow.
A good quality moisturizer will add hydration and replenish the water your skin has lost during exercise. If you choose one that has a light texture it won’t clog your pores or make your face look oily at all.
Our light Hydrating Daily Moisturizer will firm, hydrate and regenerate your skin - without creating shine. And it absorbs super quickly!
Hydrating Daily Moisturizer (like all our products) is specially designed for a man's skin. It's made with:
☑️ Hyaluronic Acid to smooth and hydrate your skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles
☑️ Vitamin E to even your skin tone and regenerate your skin
☑️ Matrixyl, an anti-aging peptide, to stimulate collagen production, and smooth skin texture
☑️ Aloe Vera to soothe, hydrate and condition your skin
Hydrating Moisturizer for Smoother, Firmer Skin
#6: Cool down your skin
If your skin tends to look very red and flushed after working up a sweat, or you’re prone to rosacea, you need to bring the temperature down to compensate for the overheating effect of your workout.
Take an ice cube and rub it against the inside of your wrist or the inside of your elbow. The blood is closest to the skin’s surface here and it will cool your body (and your face) down very quickly. If you can't find any ice just run cold water onto your wrist and it will have the same effect.
#7: Re-apply SPF
Now we know that you were smart and applied sunscreen before you went outside to exercise but always make sure to reapply it after you've finished. Sweat can cause the SPF to disperse and not be effective anymore.
It’s always good to choose one that is light, so that it won’t clog your pores, and is also sweat-proof. Good choices are La Roche-Posay Anthelios or Avene sun protection.
#8: Re-hydrate your body
And finally make sure to drink plenty of water afterwards!
We know that you know this, but you always need more than you think you do! Try and drink water immediately post workout, but also continually for the rest of the day to replenish the moisture lost while you were working out.
Cleaning your face after working out will remove sweat, dirt, oil and bacteria
FAQ's
Why does working out make my skin red?
Your body temperature goes up during exercise. This, coupled with increased blood flow, can cause your face to look red and flushed. The rise in temperature can also act as a trigger for rosacea.
Cooling your body down after a workout will reduce the redness.
A warm (not cold) shower, drinking plenty of water and splashing your face with cool water will all help. You can also apply an ice cube to the inside of your wrist, or run under cold water, to cool your body temperature down.
Does sweating cause acne?
Unfortunately, the combination of sweat, oil and bacteria building up on your skin during exercise can clog your pores, leading to acne breakouts.
On top of that, there's a type of yeast found on the skin that thrives in the warm, moist conditions created by your sweaty workout clothes and this can cause fungal acne to develop on your body!
Washing your face and showering immediately after exercise will clean the sweat and bacteria away - and stop any acne developing.
The Takeaway
Make sure that your skin stays looking clear, healthy and glowing after you've been working up a sweat.
As soon as you've done working out...
#1: Get out of your sweaty workout clothes ASAP
#2: Hop into the shower
#3: Wash your face gently
#4: Always use a clean, fresh towel
#5: Moisturize
#6: Cool down your skin
#7: Re-apply SPF
#8: Re-hydrate your body
Following this simple routine will keep your skin in excellent condition!
SHOP THE ROUTINE.
All you need to keep looking handsome.
PRESTIGE SKINCARE FOR MEN.
MADE IN FRANCE.
