Post-Workout Glow: How to Treat Your Skin After Your Sweat
There’s good news and there’s bad news when it comes to breaking a sweat and its effects on the skin.
The good news is that sweating can be beneficial for the skin. Besides getting the blood pumping and the oxygen flowing (natural skin brighteners!), the salty liquid itself can boost moisture and bolster the microbiome on your skin. Win-win.
The bad news is that sweating can also be detrimental to your complexion. Let it sit long enough and it’ll build up in your pores, leading to breakouts, rashes, and irritated skin.
In this article, we’re going to delve into the topic of sweat and skin so you can enjoy a post-workout glow without having to deal with post-workout acne.
Sweating Can Be Good For Your Skin…
Interestingly, perspiration can be beneficial for the skin. Think of it as the body’s air-conditioning system that regulates your body temperature and keeps you from overheating.
“It helps with water balance for your entire body,” explains dermatologist Doris Day, MD. “It also contains natural moisturizing factor, which helps keep the skin hydrated and healthy.”
Sweat is also the source of an antimicrobial peptide known as dermcidin, which protects the skin against infection, working like a natural antibiotic. So sweating isn’t only natural, but also beneficial for the skin environment.
For hundreds of years, saunas and steam rooms have harnessed the powers of sweating to cleanse and purify the skin.
“When our body temperature rises, our blood vessels dilate,” says Manhattan dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD. “This is called vasodilation and it increases the flow of blood to our skin. Over the long term, vasodilation has a positive impact on the vasculature that supports our skin, helping to keep our skin looking healthy and youthful.”
As beneficial as sweating may be for the skin, it can also cause adverse effects when left on the skin for too long.
HOW TO AVOID POST-WORKOUT ACNE?
Letting sweat sit on your skin for a prolonged length of time can be problematic for your complexion. That’s because sweat carries with it grime that settles back into your skin causing breakouts, rashes, and milia.
Sweat is inevitable when you work out, but luckily, you can minimize the effects it has on the skin by removing any sweaty clothing asap and washing your skin asap.
“Bacteria and moisture build up close to the skin when you sweat, so get showered and into clean clothes as soon as possible, allowing your skin to dry and breathe,” says fitness expert Diana Booty.
She adds, “When moisture is trapped close to the skin, spots or heat rashes can develop, so as lovely as your athleisure wear might be, try to avoid sitting around in it for too long after your workout.”
If you’re close to a sink, give your face a quick cleanse in the basin and use cold water to close the pores. If you can’t find a basin nearby to wash your face, make sure you keep a packet of makeup wipes in your bag so you can wipe away the surface oil and dirt. Then cleanse your face properly as soon as you get home.
Also, we don’t recommend wearing makeup when you exercise as it can clog the pores and cause the grime to penetrate deeper, causing further breakouts. If you must, keep it light and non-comedogenic!
The number one rule when it comes to sweaty skin is to not let the sweat sit for too long on the skin, as this can clog the pores and lead to breakouts. If you want to prevent post-workout acne, cleanse your skin immediately after working out.
HOW TO GET RID OF GRIME AFTER A WORKOUT?
Now it’s time to take a look at the best products for getting rid of grime after a workout. If you’re tired of watching breakouts appear after every workout session, you might be using the wrong products.
- Use a gentle cleanser
Steer clear of cleansers that contain sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate, as these can dry out the skin and cause more zits. Opt for a facial cleanser with salicylic acid or tea tree oil to calm the skin, while ridding it of oil, like Truly’s CBD Jelly Anti-Blemish Facial Cleanser. To fire up its effects, apply using Truly’s Soft Cotton Face Towel to help it penetrate easier.
- Wash in tepid water
Wash and rinse with tepid water to keep your pores closed. It’ll also stop your skin from drying out – something that hot water is notorious for.
- Try toner
Truly’s CBD Jelly Toning Solution has powerful exfoliation properties to improve your skin’s clarity and prevent future breakouts. Made with glycolic acid, aloe vera, and tea tree oil, this formula will get rid of sweat, grime, and decongested pores.
- Soothe your skin with a face mist
Calm your hot and sweaty face down with a soothing mist like Truly’s Moon Shower Adaptogen Spa Mist. It’s also a great way to treat inflammation post-workout. Keep a bottle in your bag whenever you need a refreshing wake up cleanse.
- Get your glow with a brightening serum
Complete your post sweat sesh with a few drops of Truly’s Mary Jane Glow Serum to amp up your natural glow. This formula combines retinol, glycolic acid, and caffeine to wake up your complexion and deliver a glowy, dewy finish.
Sweat, as you can see, has both good and bad qualities. While it does contain moisturizing, antibacterial properties, letting it sit too long on your skin can cause adverse effects like acne, irritation, and rashes. You can prevent those negative effects from happening by following our 5-step post-workout skincare routine. Do this after every workout session and we promise you, your complexion will look so much clearer and utterly glowing.
All you need are a few essential products and you’re good to go. If you workout at the gym, carry your skincare go-to’s in Truly’s Skincare Travel Pouch to keep everything in one place.
