Skincare tips for before and after your workout

Leading an active lifestyle is absolutely the number one thing you can do for your mind and body. A moving body is healthy, fit, and young by default, thus allowing the bones to be strong, and reducing the risk of infections and diseases. Some lifestyle activities such as walking, running, swimming, strength training, etc. leave a positive impact on the skin. The flush and the glow are real thanks to the blood flow that nourishes the skin cells and keeps them vital.

Being an athlete is great, however, it comes with a few challenges for the skin. If outdoors, it is constantly exposed to the sun, resulting in skin damage, irritation, clogged pores, or even early signs of aging. More so, when the body is active, it tends to sweat and this aids in the elimination of toxins and minerals which must be cleansed thoroughly from the surface of the skin. Exercise and skin health go hand in hand, and for the skin to be healthy, skin hydration and protection are primary.

It is imperative to emphasize hydration for athletes' skincare routines, both in the morning and night for their skin to stay nourished. Apart from the usual steps, a skincare routine before and after a shower is essential too. Ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and Retinol in skincare products are important for moisturizing, protecting, and treating the skin.

A plethora of ingredients and skincare products can be overwhelming, we get it; but we’re going to chart out a day and night skincare routine to help elevate the skin and its appearance whilst staying active.

Pre Workout skincare regimen:

We encourage you to build a basic skincare routine pre and post-workout to keep your skin healthy. Before you start your workout, ensure your skin has gone through the following steps -

1. Cleansing: In the case of a morning workout, there’s a chance your skin is thoroughly cleansed from the previous night. Hence, washing your face with just water should be okay. Avoid over-cleansing as it could strip the skin’s natural pH balance.
2. Moisturize: Apply a light-weight, or gel-based moisturizer on the skin. This helps retain water levels in the skin and keep it moisturized.
3. Protect: Be it an outdoor or indoor workout, sunscreen application for skin protection is very important.
4. Apply a generous amount of SPF on the face, neck, and any other exposed areas of the skin. Any exposure to light, even if blocked by windows, puts your skin at risk for potential UV rays damage. Choosing SPF variants like a gel-based or water-resistant one can prevent damage caused by the sun.

Post your workout, we encourage you to thoroughly cleanse your skin and remove any sweat residue to avoid breakouts. Then, follow this up with a toner, moisturiser, and broad-spectrum sunscreen again.

Skincare tips during workout.

1. Hydrate: Proper hydration is crucial for healthy skin and energy during your workouts. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin well-hydrated internally and externally.
2. Avoid touching the face: Sweats during workouts are unavoidable. Instead of using your hands to wipe the sweat, we recommend gently patting a soft fabric towel on your face. Alternatively using wet wipes or towelettes to pat on your face gently can be beneficial too. This leaves the face refreshed, keeps the pH balance intact, and the skin free of germs.

The connection between exercise and skin aging:

Certain forms of exercise, pilates, core training, yoga, aerobics training, and so on and so forth are known to increase the heart rate, thus improving blood circulation and delivery of oxygen to the skin. Exercise also enhances circulation throughout the body and promotes the removal of lymphatic fluid to decrease puffiness.

There is another important connection between exercise and skin collagen. Due to improved delivery and flow of oxygen on the skin, followed by efficient removal of toxins and waste, exercise can also improve signs of aging by increasing cellular turnover and production of collagen.

We at Founders Beauty aim to empower you to make the right skincare choices always.

Apart from cleaning, protecting, and moisturizing, here are some additional steps to look after your skin. If you’re an athlete, here’s a skincare cheat sheet with all essential post-workout suggestions.

1. Avoid Hot Showers: As tempting as hot water showers sound after a workout, they can strip your skin of essential oils. Choose lukewarm water instead to prevent excessive skin dryness.
2. Exfoliate: Make it a habit to exfoliate your skin one to two times a week. This can help remove dead skin cells, prevent clogged pores, and promote a healthy glow. Use a gentle exfoliant depending on your skin type.
3. Chafing Prevention: Athletes often experience chafing in areas where skin rubs against clothing or other skin. Use anti-chafing products, such as creams or powders, to reduce friction and irritation.
4. Proper Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants can promote healthy skin. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins in your meals.
5. Hydrating Masks: Consider using hydrating masks or even clay masks occasionally to replenish your skin's moisture and nutrients. Including a clay mask from the vegan skincare range of Founders Beauty will also help brighten, remove excess oil from the surface of the skin, and leave it hydrated.
6. Rest and Recovery: Prioritize 7-8 hours of sleep and some recovery time. Your body repairs and regenerates during sleep, including your skin.
7. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Be mindful of skincare products that contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, or alcohol. They can leave the skin inflamed or irritated almost instantly. Opt for gentle products free from allergens whenever possible.
8. Stay Clean: Ensure that your workout gear, including towels and clothing, is clean to prevent bacterial buildup and breakouts.
9. Stay Consistent: Consistency is key in skincare. Develop a routine that works for you and stick to it to achieve and maintain healthy skin.

For specific skin concerns and treatments, it's best to consult a Dermatologist. They can assess your skin and suggest the right treatment options for you.

Keep your skincare journey as active as your fitness journey!

Sources:

1. WebMD. (2011, April 15). Skin benefits from exercise: Tone skin, collagen, and more. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/features/exercise#:~:text=By%20increasing%20blood%20flow%2C%20exercise,free%20radicals%2C%20from%20working%20cells
2. Baker LB. Physiology of sweat gland function: The roles of sweating and sweat composition in human health. Temperature (Austin). 2019 Jul 17;6(3):211-259. doi: 10.1080/23328940.2019.1632145. PMID: 31608304; PMCID: PMC6773238.
3. Author links open overlay panelLaura Santambrogio, AbstractThis review will highlight our current understanding of the formation, Anderson, N. L., Arkill, K. P., Badylak, S. F., Chowdhury, N. C., Clement, C. C., Eisenlohr, L. C., Mera, I. G. F. de, Geho, D. H., Goldschneider, I., Hu, X., Kramer, G. C., Meens, M. J., Nanjee, M. N., Oluwole, S. F., Platt, A. M., Schumacher, T. N., Squire, J. M., … Gaggar, A. (2018, February 3). The lymphatic fluid. International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1937644817301004
4. Anand, B. S., Binder, L., Bouwstra, J., Helmstädter, A., Kolios, L., Machado, M., McIntosh, T. J., Mitragotri, S., Nguyen, H. X., Oliveira, G., Panisset, F., Schmook, F. P., Scott, D. W., Weinstein, G. D., Williams, A. C., Boada, A., Cancel, L. M., Chen, X., & Cocchiaro, J. L. (2020, July 31). Vulnerability of the skin barrier to mechanical rubbing. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S037851732030692X