A Skincare Routine for Sweaty Bettys
While we all understand the importance of working out on a regular basis, it's also important to show your skin some love before and after your sweat sessions.
Whether you go to a gym or workout from home, here are some skincare tips for keeping your complexion clear, sweat-free, and glowing!
PRE-WORKOUT SKINCARE TIPS
Remove Your Makeup
First things first, always remove your makeup ahead of a workout. It doesn't matter whether you're doing cardio or strength training. When you exercise your body heats up, causing your pores to open and makeup to settle into the pores, which can trigger breakouts.
Regardless of the workout routine, you want your skin to be able to breathe when you get sweaty. Use a gentle cleanser like Truly's Super Matcha Facial Cleanser to wash away makeup and refresh your skin.
If you dislike the idea of leaving the house without makeup, make sure you use a non-comedogenic foundation to prevent it from clogging your pores. Alternatively, try a tinted moisturizer or sunscreen to give you coverage without being too heavy or pore-clogging.
Pull Back Your Hair
Before starting that HIIT or Barre workout, remember to pull back your hair or style it so that it's away from your face during your sweat sesh.
"This helps prevent oils (not to mention any hair products you used that day) from clogging your pores, which can cause breakouts," says Dr. Robyn Gmyrek, a New York-based dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology.
Re-consider headbands and sweatbands. While they keep your hair off your face, they can trap oil, sweat, and product residue which may lead to blemishes.
Hydrate Your Skin
Working out causes sweating and dehydration of your skin. Before breaking into your bum-sculpting class, make sure that you moisturize your skin with a lightweight face cream like Truly's Cream Skin Face Moisturizer. Apply a swipe of lip balm too to keep your lips from drying out mid-sesh. Our fave? Truly's Unicorn Fruit Lip Plumping Balm. It's one of our bestsellers!
Dress Right
If you're dealing with chest, back, or butt breakouts, your snug fitting sports bras and workout leggings could be to blame.
"The skin is filled with tiny glands and pores which secrete oils and sweat while you’re working out, all in an effort to cool the skin and balance electrolytes," explains dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian. "Tight clothing makes it difficult for these glands to do their job and blocks the outlets of the pores." Which leads to breakouts.
Invest in sweat-wicking workout clothes to help combat this problem. And generally, just try wearing more breathable activewear. Sweaty Betty, Nordstrom, and Lululemon all sell sweat-wicking yoga leggings and other workout attire.
POST-WORKOUT SKINCARE TIPS
Wash Your Face
Seriously, the moment your instructor congratulates you and wishes you a fine time, it's time to hit the bathroom for some facial cleaning therapy.
"It’s very important to clean skin gently following a workout to remove bacteria and sweat residue that accumulated during your workout," says Gmyrek. “It’s also helpful to cool off skin to prevent breaking of blood vessels and return skin temperature to a normal level quicker."
Dermatologists recommend using a salicylic acid cleanser, which is particularly effective at cleansing and dislodging the pores from sweat, dirt, and oil to prevent blemishes. Truly's CBD Jelly Anti-Blemish Facial Cleanser is made with salicylic acid, retinol, and watermelon to decongest your pores for smooth, blemish-free skin.
Hit the Showers
Sweating it out in those sculpting leggings and that new season sports bra creates a warm and wet environment for bacteria to grow on your skin. Take a shower as soon as your workout finishes to remove built-up sweat, oil, and germs.
Take Truly's Cherry Jelly Anti-Bacne Body Cleanser with you in the shower. It's made with a blend of acne-zapping BHAs, skin-soothing cherry, and hydrating allantoin to actively treat breakouts on the body while eliminating dryness and irritation. It's the perfect addition to your post-workout skincare routine.
Apply a Nurturing Serum
Now that you're washed and cleansed, there's no better time to inject some skin-illuminating active ingredients into your complexion. Try Truly's Blueberry Kush CBD Face Oil for an extra large dose of antioxidants. Formulated with vegan collagen, lactic acid, salicylic acid, and blueberry oil, this formula promotes the appearance of a plumper, rejuvenated complexion. And the best part? There's an exact same formula designed especially for your body too!
You won't need those super sculpt power leggings once you've slathered your booty in this plumping oil.
Cool Down
If you’re feeling a little flushed after your workout, grab some ice and roll it over your face. It's a quick and easy way to instantly cool down your skin and reset the flushing in your face. You can do the same thing over your body too to provide some instant relief. Don't like the idea of rubbing ice on yourself? Splash your face with cold water instead. It'll also help bring down your body temperature and reduce any flushing and blushing.
Finish with a Generous Layer of Sunscreen
Skip this step if you work out in the evenings and won't be exposed to UV rays.
If you work out in the day, always remember to complete your skincare regimen with a thick layer of sunscreen to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. We know you've heard it a dozen times before, but it's crucial in keeping your skin healthy, youthful, and vibrant.
Sunscreen protects your skin against the UV rays that degrade collagen, the protein responsible for keeping skin young and perky. It also prevents the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration.
How you take care of your skin before and after working out can make a huge difference to the appearance of your complexion. It doesn't need to be complicated. You just need to keep sweat off your skin and your pores clear for that radiant post-workout glow.
Now that you’re equipped with these workout-centric skin care tips, go ahead and get sweating!
