The (surprising) benefits of sweating and exercise
Apart from the endless energy-boosting, sleep-improving, and strengthening benefits, there’re an abundance of other skin-related reasons why exercise is great for you.
As you feel your pulse pumping along with the beat in your headphones, your body’s temperature will rise, increasing the blood flow. This process boosts the delivery of valuable nutrients, like oxygen and vitamin, which further stimulates the production of collagen; the protein responsible for the skin's smooth and bouncy surface.
In other words, working out regularly can be a valuable step on your way to a bouncy, radiant complexion with a healthy glow. Research also suggests that the glycoproteins found in sweat bind to bacteria, helping to remove them from the skin (cf. source 1), and, thereby, counteract the formation of impurities.
Also, sweat contains the ingredient urea, a natural humectant that effectively moisturizes the skin. So, while it can feel sticky and uncomfortable, sweating actually comes with a lot of benefits for your skin. However, it’s essential to make sure to remove the sweat as fast as possible, as it can also lead to breakouts and a disrupted pH-balance, if it gets to hang out on the skin for too long.
Again, it’s all about balance – and luckily, we’ve curated the ideal routine for your pre- and post-workout rituals to make the health boost full circle.
Pre-workout skincare tips
We all know that just getting yourself up and going can be hard enough in itself, so let’s keep your skincare procedure simple and indulging – the goal is to find a routine that you're excited to do! Let's share our best tips:
A clean canvas is essential to avoid clogged pores, blemishes, and irritation. Also, makeup can interfere with the skin’s ability to breathe and regulate body temperature during exercise. Removing it, therefore, allows your skin to breathe and function properly, while preventing overheating. We suggest using a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser with natural cleansing actives to remove make-up before showtime. A pro tip is to put on your favorite motivating beats while cleansing to set the mood for the workout while cleansing away.
Use a lightweight moisturizer with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to keep the skin nourished. Our gel formulas, such as our Daily Mineral Gel or 24-Hour Hydra Gel, are perfect candidates due to their quickly-absorbed formulas that sink deep into the skin. The composition of hydrating properties leave a silky, bouncy surface, while protective antioxidants work to counteract skin damage caused by extraneous factors – which is especially beneficial, if your workout takes place outside!
Use a hydrating mist to refresh and nourish the skin in between sets or kilometers. A mist can be especially beneficial during a workout, as the salt in your sweat can dehydrate the skin, leaving it dry and itchy. Our Niacinamide Lifting Mist is the perfect sports-bag-essential due to its convenient purse-size and replenishing, protective, and strengthening properties.
Use a broad-spectrum SPF if your workout takes place outside to protect your skin from UVA and UVB induced damage. Yes, even if it's cloudy.
Post-workout skincare tips
Some workouts leave us with an enriching boost of energy, and some send us straight to the couch afterwards. Either way, after your workout session, your skin may feel sweaty, oily, and in need of some TLC. Here’s how we like to do it:
Prevent bodily breakouts by removing sweaty workout clothes as soon as possible. Also, make sure to cleanse your skin thoroughly with a gentle body wash to remove any impurities and build-up. If you’re dealing with bacne or breakouts on your upper arms, you can also apply our Skin Perfector 2% BHA to the affected areas on dry skin after your shower to allow the combination of salicylic acid, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid to decongest clogged pores and promote an even skin tone. Seal the body care routine with a hydrating lotion with strengthening ingredients to prevent dryness.
Cleanse away build-up. As mentioned, sweat mostly only does harm when it’s allowed to sit on the skin for extended periods of time. Therefore, it’s important to remove sweat, dirt, and bacteria from your complexion with either lukewarm water or a gentle cleanser, if you didn’t do so during your shower. Our Daily Foaming Cleanser is formulated with 100% natural cleansing actives to leave the skin clean and refreshed while preserving its natural oils.
If you've been wearing SPF or makeup, it's a good idea to perform a double cleanse using an oil-based cleanser first and then a water-based cleanser to make sure you've removed every last piece of gunk.
Exfoliate to ensure you've removed every last piece of gunk. Our Intense Peel Mask offers the ultimate post-workout treatment, and is beloved for its ability to promote the skin’s cell-turnover process, exfoliate away dead skin cells, and leave the skin feeling renewed. Use it 1-3 times a week for a radiant, refreshed, and rejuvenated complexion.
Moisturize (of course). As we lose a lot of moisture through sweating, it’s no surprise that moisturizing should serve as the last (important!) step of your post-workout routine. With its complex of moisture-binding hyaluronic acid and nourishing vitamins, our Daily Hydra Cream gives a perfect boost of rehydration to keep your skin soft and supple throughout the day.
Sources:
Source 1: The Health Benefits of Sweating (2019) Frothingham, S., Medically reviewed by Amin, S., healthline.com.
