Doing sport causes a lot of benefits to the human physical and physiological state. Regular exercises not only keep people well-shaped but also make them more stress-resistant, decrease anxiety, and help fight depression. And these are just a few reasons we regularly visit gyms and fitness clubs.
Although sport is beneficial for our mind and body, sweat can cause multiple problems for our skin. It tends to clog pores and result in breakouts, acne, and eczema if proper post-workout skincare is not applied. Thus, it is essential for skin health to take care of cells after a sweaty workout. So, below, we’re going to consider how to treat the skin after exhausting workouts to keep it clean and healthy and prolong youthfulness.
The Positive and Negative Effects of Workouts on the Skin
First of all, let’s consider how workouts affect your skin. The positive effect of doing sport on the skin includes:
- the blood flow is increased since the heart pumps blood quicker, resulting in better oxygen and nutrients supply to cells;
- the skin renovation and rejuvenation processes are improved, preventing premature skin aging and reducing wrinkling;
- workouts activate the lymphatic system, which causes skin purification due to increased waste disposal (toxins, dead cells, and other pollutants are removed quicker);
- sport also copes with skin puffiness perfectly.
As for drawbacks, sports can influence the skin negatively. The cause is sweat that clogs pores, so people with oily and sensitive skin are the most affected. As a result, inflammation and breakouts may appear.
Still, with proper post-workout skincare, it is possible to minimize these effects and enjoy workouts without nasty consequences. The main thing is to know what and when to do. So, let’s get down to the key tips.
How to Treat the Skin before and after Workouts?
Firstly, note that the best skincare practice starts before a workout. Wash your face before doing sport. If you wear makeup, clean it to open pores and remove excess contaminants. In this case, you’ll reduce the level of pore-clogging with sweat. Moreover, makeup products contain chemical toxins that can congest pores and cause further redness and inflammation. So, don’t do sport with makeup to keep your skin clean and healthy.
As for the post-workout skincare routine, make sure to wash your face ASAP after a workout. Sweat mixes with dirt, oil, and germs during the workout, creating the perfect breed for bacteria growth. Such a favorable environment for microorganisms leads to acne, eczema, and breakouts.
While face washing comes as the first thing to do after the workout, a comprehensible post-workout skincare routine comprises much more steps. So, let’s highlight them and list the best products for each stage.
Cleansing
When washing the face, it is advisable to use cleansing foams and liquids to remove dirt and sweat more effectively. Cleansing products act on all sorts of pollutants, open pores, prevent congestion, and prepare the skin for further treatment.