The KYDRA Club
7 Tips to Protecting Your Skin Pre and Post-Workout
We’ve already touched on quick ways to freshen up post-workout, but there’s more to taking care of yourself than freshening up after a sweat sesh.
Did you know that ignoring your skin before most physical activities can actually be harmful? Well, now you do! Let’s walk through some really easy-to-do tips to ensure your skin stays fresh, clean, and, most importantly, healthy pre and post-workout.
1. Go Bare
Barefaced, that is. Don’t be shy and let your natural beauty show by removing your make-up before hitting the gym.
Sweating is one of the best ways our body detoxifies itself. Products can clog your pores and become a breeding ground for acne when mixed with sweat that can’t come out freely. And no one wants a break out because of a thin layer of make-up.
If you must, then a light layer of BB cream and a dab of lipstick won’t do damage in the long run. Skip the heavy moisturisers, though, as they may prevent your skin from cooling down.
2. Wash, Look and Glisten
We already know that it’s essential to wash our faces after working out, but a quick cleanse before is an often overlooked step. Especially if you hit the mat first thing in the morning. A gentle wash removes any products leftover from your night-time skin routine, such as overnight masques, moisturisers, or acne treatment creams.
3. Some Sunscreen
Skin care professionals may have differing views on some skin care practices, but there is one thing that most of them agree on: the importance of good sunscreen.
Going for a jog along your favourite path at the Botanic Gardens? Wear your sunscreen. Joining a Pilates class where the lovely wall-to-wall windows let the light in? Wear your sunscreen.
Basically, unless you’re exercising in the evening, wear your sunscreen. And don’t forget to apply it to your neck and the back of your neck as well.
When selecting a sunscreen, keep these things in mind:
- Go for a broad spectrum option of at least SPF 30.
- Opt for sweatproof sunscreen, especially if you know you’ll be sweating profusely.
- Read the labels to see how often you’ll need to reapply.
- Check to see if it can be used for both face and body, as some sunscreens are too harsh for the face.
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View Details4. Hands off!
We’ve discussed this before, but it does bear repeating - never touch your face with your hands during a workout. Have a clean towel nearby to dab at your face, nape, and neck.
You can also take a small packet of wipes and a hand sanitiser. The two side pockets of our Kyro 5" Logo Pocket Shorts are perfect for this. Looking for something longer? We’ve put the same two deep pockets in our Kyro Logo Pocket Leggings. Cute and functional.
5. Keep It Clean
Even after your workout, make sure your hands are clean before you begin any washing up - whether it’s a full body shower, a face cleanse, or something in between. You may not realise how often your hands make contact with potentially dirty surfaces; the last thing you want is to transfer that to your face.
Hands washed? Good. Now you can go about removing the sweat off your face and body!
Some handy tips:
- To prevent irritation, use a mild cleanser and hypoallergenic soaps/body washes.
- Skip the bath pouffe, which can be rough and use a soft wet cloth instead.
- Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid are good active ingredients in facial washes for the acne prone.
6. Now, We Moisturise!
Freshly washed, squeaky clean, and glowing (from the endorphins and hitting your target heart rate), your skin is a beautiful blank canvas ready for the rest of the day. We cautioned against using moisturisers during a workout but totally advocate their use afterwards.
Showering and even using body wipes strips some of the natural oils from our skin, which could lead to dryness. Instead, dab your skin to remove excess water first but do not wipe dry. And then, reintroduce some hydration by applying a light moisturiser.
As an additional tip, consider using a tinted sunscreen of about SPF 15 as part of your daily skincare routine. Protecting yourself against the harmful effects of UV rays doesn’t stop just because you’re no longer running or swimming under the sun.
Give your skin time to absorb this goodness before applying your makeup.
7. Hydration Station
Our skin is the largest organ in our entire bodies. Still, we often forget that aside from creams, facials, and the occasional exfoliating scrub, it’s just as essential to pamper it from the inside.
The best way to do that? Water. Lots of it! Squeeze a lemon into it for flavour, if you prefer. However you like your agua, make sure you are making up for the fluids you lose during your workout by staying hydrated.
See how easy it is to protect your skin? All it takes is seven simple steps!
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