How To Protect Your Skin When Working Out
/You already know that working out leads to many benefits to your overall health. A solid fitness regime can help you lose or maintain your weight, keep your heart healthy, and boost your mood and confidence. But there are tons of reasons why people don’t workout. Some may not have enough time to exercise, while others have no motivation to become more physically active. Besides those obvious reasons, another obstacle that stops some people from working out (I know because I used to be one of these folks!) is they fear doing so will trigger their acne. That’s because exercising means sweating a lot, and sweating may lead to skin-related issues such as irritation, inflammation, and breakouts.
Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can follow to avoid those problems and protect your skin without sacrificing your fitness goals. I used to get terrible adult acne. And it really upset me. So I saw a dermatologist and esthetician and they gave me some great tips and ways to keep skin in great shape when working out.
Remove Your Makeup
Before starting your workout routine, make sure to remove all the makeup you’ve put on your face. Wearing makeup while exercising can block your pores, which is generally not good for your skin. So as much as possible, wash your face pre-workout to remove makeup as well as any dirt and sweat that may have accumulated on your skin.
However, if working out with a completely bare face isn’t your thing, try wearing waterproof lip gloss and mascara. Make sure to stay away from powder, blush, and foundation to let your skin breathe freely during exercise.
Hydrate Regularly
You already know how essential consuming enough water is before, during, and after your workout. This is to ensure you don’t experience dehydration, which can harm your health, including your skin. Dehydration during exercise may cause your skin to become dry, itchy, and easily irritated due to various environmental factors. So don’t hesitate to drink up before you sweat. For additional protection and nourishment, you can take vitamin E supplements for skin. In addition to taking vitamins, you can further support and nourish your skin by considering IV therapy. IV in Santa Barbara administers a precisely crafted blend of fluids, vitamins, and minerals directly into your bloodstream, guaranteeing ideal hydration and delivering vital nutrients to nourish your body.
Sunscreen Is A Must
Many people love working out outdoors. Doing so is simply more motivating and inspiring as you get to see other people running, jogging, or walking their dogs. Plus, the view outdoors is a good distraction from the exhaustion you may feel during the workout (especially if you live in SF like I do with the best views in the world!). However, exercising outside means you’re in the open, so your skin is exposed to factors like humid air and hot weather.
So it’s essential to apply an ample amount of sunscreen to protect your skin against the harsh rays of the sun that may cause adverse effects like sunburn. If your workout involves hiking for a couple of hours or more (which you know Peter and I love!), don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen every hour or two. The ideal amount of SPF to be used should be at least 30. I am a big fan of EltaMD.
Wear Proper Workout Clothing
Skin irritations are caused not only by sweat or external factors but also by what you wear during workouts. Avoid clothes with fabrics that aren’t manufactured for working out. Instead, go for options with fabrics meant to wick away sweat from your body and won’t rub against your skin.
Use A Sweat Headband
This one I learned from my partner Peter who hikes every weekend. Sweating is normal when you’re exercising. If you’re so immersed in the workout, you may not notice that your sweat’s starting to run down your face. This can create problems like breakouts on your chin, T-zone, or forehead. What’s worse is that some people tend to wipe their sweat off with their hands, which would leave dirt on the skin.
To prevent this, it’s best to wear a sweat headband every time you’re working out. This will catch all the sweat you usually produce from your hairline and prevent it from reaching your face. Most importantly, never try to touch your face with your bare hands during exercise to avoid transporting bacteria to your skin. And as much as possible, wash your hands before and after workouts.
Cleanse And Moisturize
After you’ve completed your workout session, don’t forget to wash your face and wipe off sweat using a soft and clean towel. Doing this will remove all the dust, dirt, and bacteria that may have built up on your skin. Moreover, use a serum or skin moisturizer to rehydrate your skin from the outside. To do so from the inside, drink plenty of fluids to replenish the water you’ve lost. My dermatologist recommended J&J Clean & Clear and I find it really effective. When I don’t have time or access to a sink I use wipes from Cetaphil.
Wrap Up
You don’t need to avoid workouts even if you’re worried about your skin. Now you have these tips to help you in looking after your skin while achieving your fitness goals.
If you’ve been inactive for a long time, be patient and let your skin get used to sweating before it can adapt and cope with the new situation. Remember: both exercise and skin protection are vital for your health.
