Women in the U.K. are estimated to spend £1.36 billion on facial skincare in 2023. The skin, after all, is the largest organ of the human body, and more people are now using skincare to safeguard the appearance of their skin from things like sun exposure, pollution, harsh weather, as well as genetics and signs of ageing. It’s important to have a skincare routine that is based on your skin’s needs and activity level, among other things. For example, if you’re spending a lot of time in the gym, your skin is exposed to a lot of sweat and bacteria. Practising good hygiene at the gym probably isn’t enough; you also need proper skincare if you want to get the best results workouts.
Why Proper Skincare Is Essential To Your Fitness Regimen
In today’s beauty market, you will see a wide variety of skincare products such as anti-aging creams, moisturisers, toners, serums, cleansers and face masks, among others. You don’t need to have all of these products, though. A proper skincare routine will still depend on your personal needs. At the very least, everyone should have basic skincare products such as sunscreen and antioxidants to protect and repair the skin. Meanwhile, moisturisers and exfoliators are used to transform and rejuvenate the skin. Lastly, serums and peptides help optimise the skin and reduce signs of aging. Someone with dry skin will focus more on moisturisers while someone with wrinkles will opt for serums.
On the other hand, when it comes to the gym, you also need certain skincare products to maintain the appearance of your skin despite sweating a lot and being exposed to germs and bacteria. If you don’t want to develop acne or have dry and irritated skin as a result of your workouts, you need to incorporate the right kind of products in your skincare routine.
Which Skincare Products to Use Before Your Workout
You shouldn’t be piling on facial products prior to your workout. Exercise causes sweating and increased body temperature, which, in turn, opens up the pores in your skin. Thus, wearing thick facial products and makeup while in the gym can lead to breakouts, skin irritation, uneven texture and other skin conditions. So, prior to your workout, you just need a gentle cleanser for your face, a lightweight lotion to prevent dryness and sunscreen for sun protection. Also, during your workout, avoid touching your face as much as possible.
Which Skincare Products to Use After Your Workout
After your workout, it’s important to wash your face and hands or shower as soon as possible. This is to remove sweat from your skin and all the bacteria you might have gotten from handling gym equipment. You might want to use a cleanser with salicylic acid in order to cleanse your pores and dislodge all the sweat, oil and dirt that have gotten inside your pores. Salicylic acid helps prevent acne but it can be a bit drying so those with dry skin should pair their cleanser with a hydrating moisturiser.
Also, since your skin might already be sensitive after a workout, avoid using facial scrubs or exfoliants because these can cause micro-abrasions in your skin. Don’t forget to put on your daytime moisturiser and sunscreen before leaving the gym. Then, at night, make sure to remove makeup from your face. You can also use heavier creams, serums and other skincare products to address your skin concerns whether it’s acne, dry skin or wrinkles and sagging skin.
It’s safe to say that the benefits of skincare products are widely known. However, we need to know which products are suitable to use at a given time or situation. Your skincare routine should be reflective of your personal needs and activity level. So, if you head to the gym every morning, you shouldn’t be piling on skincare products right away. You also need products that can effectively cleanse and moisturise the skin after a workout. As long as all these aspects are considered, your skincare routine will be able to give you even better fitness results. You’ll see gains not just on your physical body but also by having healthy and glowing skin.
Guest Post by Jane Sandwood