Gym Skin Care: Give Your Skin Care Routine a Workout

Breaking out after the gym? That’s no reason to skip a sweat session! Follow these post-workout skin tips to keep your complexion clean, refreshed, and best of all, blemish-free.

CLEANSE…THOROUGHLY

Following rigorous exercise, dabbing a little soap and water on your skin isn’t going to cut it. Sweat helps remove toxins that can clog pores and cause blemishes, but that buildup of toxins has to be wiped off the surface of the skin with a real cleansing. Whip out your best cleanser and get to work! Pick a formula with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide if you’re particularly prone to breakouts. It’s not a bad idea to follow up with a toner—like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner—to ensure that every last inch of grime is effectively wiped clean.

HOP INTO THE SHOWER

Skipping a shower after the gym? That’s a big no-no. Shower right away to get rid of all of the sweat accumulated on your body. And for pretty obvious reasons, don’t opt for a bath post-gym. Need more convincing? Find out how skipping this step can lead to back and chest acne, here.

REHYDRATE YOUR SKIN

While your skin is still damp from the shower, slather on a hydrating moisturizer to add some of that lost moisture back into the skin. Reach for a formula with hyaluronic acid—an ingredient known for its moisture-binding properties—such as Vichy Aqualia Thermal Hydration Rich Cream. It works by evenly distributing water to balance skin and help lock water in all facial zones. If you have oily skin and are worried about breakouts, try La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat. Formulated with antioxidants vitamin C and E, it targets excess oil and refines pores with a light matte finish.  

AVOID BODY ACNE

Ugh, body acne. Our chest, back, and stomach are among the areas where sweat accumulates the most. To help avoid the dreaded “bacne” and zits from popping up on your body, pat—don’t rub—your skin dry with a towel immediately after a workout. Then, before jumping into the shower, apply a full body mask, like The Body Shop Spa of the World Himalayan Charcoal Body Clay. The mask draws out impurities and toxins to help improve the look of below-shoulder skin.   

SKIP MAKEUP

Makeup mixed with sweat and residual impurities? Bad idea. That’s why it’s highly recommended that you remove your makeup prior to a gym visit. Once you’re done working out, wait at least 30 minutes before applying makeup back onto your face.  

DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE

Your hands are exposed to tons of germs and bacteria over the course of the day, and potentially more after spending time at the gym. Make sure to keep your hands away from your face to avoid cross contamination and potential breakouts.