Sometimes we don’t realize how important our habits are
until they become so ingrained in us that we don’t know how we ever got
by without them. That’s how I feel about washing my face. Like most
teens of my time, I went from having unmarred skin to a sea of red
moguls in what felt like the time it took to finish an episode of Full House. Zero to acne, if you will.
Since then, I've learned a few tricks that have helped keep my skin clear (or at least clearer—some days are better than others). But given how active I am, one tip stands out as having helped the most: develop a post-workout skin care routine.
Why washing your face post-workout matters—a lot.
I've always been active and, truthfully, I never washed my
face until I got home at the end of the day—that is, until it became
clear that there was a direct correlation between how long I left sweat
on my skin and the intensity of the breakouts I'd have later on. Now it
seems so obvious; my face was dirty, and my pores were clogged. I didn’t
know, as Jill Javehery, M.D. says, that post-workout care is crucial to clear, healthy skin.
Fortunately, I’ve developed a post-workout skin care routine—and thus far, it’s proven to work in my (and my skin’s) favor.
Here’s what my routine looks like.
Nowadays, regardless of the activity I do,
I bring a small arsenal of skin care products with me. Before I work
out, I make sure to take off any makeup or skin product I have on. This
ensures that when I sweat, I’m not driving lotion or oils deeper into my
pores.
“Try to clean off makeup before exercise, especially if it
contains silicones, which can clog up your pores as you sweat,” says
integrative dermatologist Cybele Fishman. “I don’t use any skin care products with silicones, as I feel like my skin can’t breathe."
Fishman
also recommends keeping your hair off your face as much as possible,
either with a hair tie or headband, especially if you have any sort of
hair product in.
After my workout, depending if it’s in the
morning or at night, I either shower or wash my face immediately in the
locker room. I don’t use anything abrasive right away, because my skin
is usually red post-workout (which means I’m dealing with some post-workout inflammation), and I don’t want to irritate it in any way.
Right now I’m using the Charcoal Detox Gel Cleanser from NOW Solutions, because it’s a super gentle cleanser that doesn’t dry out my skin. Next, I use a toner, like the Cocokind Raspberry Vinegar Toner,
which is particularly helpful for acne-prone skin. Last, I apply some
form of moisturizer, whether that’s an oil, spray, or gel like Mad Hippie Antioxidant Oil, if my skin feels dehydrated, and finish it all off with the NOW Solutions Rosewater Rejuvenating Mist, which smells amazing.
Taking
care of my skin post-workout has been a real game-changer for me. I
leave the gym or studio feeling lighter, cleaner, and like I did
something that I’ll thank myself for later. Sometimes the most obvious
solutions are the ones we need the most—and sometimes (for me) self-care
can be as simple as skin care.
