6 Skincare Tips for Gym Lovers

It is known that regular exercise improves our cardiovascular and physical health. Not to mention the benefits of reducing the stress we carry from our hectic lives. Frequent exercise can even increase your skin’s wellbeing and appearance.

The increase in blood flow during physical movement can result in improved circulation even when you’re not engaging in physical activity. In addition to effectively delivering vital nutrients to the body’s cells, improved blood flow also means toxins are removed from the body more efficiently. Your bloodstream is similar to a freeway for your cells nutrients and waste removal. That said, incorporating regular exercise into our daily lives is extremely beneficial for all of your body’s cells, including your skin which is our
body’s largest organ.

Stress triggers numerous physiological responses within the body that can cause
breakouts, inflammation, and allergic skin reactions. Your day to day stressors can have a negative impact on your skin, especially for those who suffer from chronic skin conditions like acne, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. Exercise is proven to decrease your body’s elevated hormonal and immune responses to stress. Physical activity can help pump up your brains feel-good transmitters, called endorphins, and therefore reduce the risk of chronic skin condition related breakouts and flare-ups.

As much as one can benefit from the positive endorphins released during exercise, what happens if you are at a pre-disposition with any skin-related conditions? It is extremely important to set yourself up for your post workout glow by knowing the factors that could possibly trigger your skin during your workout routine. Here are some tips that will ensure you keep your skin healthy while you work on your physical activity:

1. Stay Hydrated! Water is a major component for our skins overall health. It assist in maintaining suppleness in our skin and helps maintain our skins elasticity. Sweating removes toxins from our body, but as good as breaking a sweat feels, replenishing the loss of hydration should be a priority during our gym time.

2. Avoid touching your face with dirty hands. Gyms are a breading ground for bacteria. Bacteria can be easily transferred onto your skin and lead to a breakout or cause your skin to become reactive. While you should avoid touching your face in general, it’s even more important to avoid this when you’re at the gym.

3. Don’t work out with makeup on! Ideally, it’s best to avoid wearing make-up to the gym. Sweat and increased temperature brought on by exercise can lead to open pores, which can become blocked by particles of make-up. This can easily lead to breakouts and, in turn, irritation and uneven skin texture. However, Please DO NOT skip out on your SPF!

4. Dry your face during your workout with a clean towel. Do not use the same towel that you place on equipment or wipe your body sweat with on your face. Disposable towels work best. Remember, dirty towels can spread viruses, fungi, and bacteria. You don’t want to take the chance and irritate your skin or awaken underlying conditions with bacteria harboring towels during your workout.

5. Keep some facial wipes handy! If you can’t wash your face immediately after your work out, make sure you invest in some top quality facial wipes. Beware…! Not all wipes are made the same. Ingredients that are free of harsh chemicals are a must for the delicate skin on your face.

6. A post workout facial routine is a must once your face is clean. While I don’t
recommend a full skincare regimen before your workout (you don’t want the products pushed out during sweat), you definitely will benefit from a post workout slather from your favorite facial regime!

Our goal at WYSP Skin Studio is educating our clients by providing attainable solutions, and creating a refuge for skin wellness. When you understand your skin’s needs, everything works synergistically in your favor and gets you on the way to Wearing Your Skin Proudly!

Thank you for reading!