Here’s
a newsflash: a quick shower and a rinse with antibacterial
soap may not be the best post-workout skincare regime. If
you’re investing time in a regular workout routine, your
skin may be paying the price. Here are a few tips for
cleansing and caring for your skin after the gym that can
help maximize the benefits of your workout and give you
younger, healthier, better-looking skin.
Say
no to Soap
Instead,
try rinsing your face with cold water. As a guy, you have
larger pores than a woman and your skin is naturally prone
to being oilier. In order to keep dirt (and sweat and
grime) from sticking to your face and embedding in your
pores, try a deep cleansing lotion instead of your usual
soap. Look for products that are odor-free and include
natural ingredients. These can help remove the dirt,
toxins and oils that collect on your skin at the gym.
Try
an Astringent
An astringent can help you control the oils that your skin
will continue to excrete for an hour or more after your
workout is over. It can also help you to minimize the size
of your pores to keep your skin looking smooth and
healthy. Look for products that contain alpha hydroxy acid
– an ingredient that helps to refine and minimize pores
and can also help to prevent ingrown hairs. Also check to
be sure that the product is not photosensitive. If it is,
be sure to use sunscreen before going outside.
Don’t Forget to Moisturize
This is the most important part of the regimen – even if
you ignored steps one and two. In fact, it’s even more
important then. Of course you’ll have the best results
overall if you use the deep cleanser and the astringent
first.
The best
time to
moisturize is right after you shower. Use a light
moisturizer on your face. Look for products that list
vitamin E and as an ingredient and are oil-free. Pay
special attention to the skin around your eyes. Regular
use of a good quality moisturizer can help keep those
crow’s feet from forming and reduce the appearance of
those fine lines under your eyelids.
Also be
sure your moisturizer has a sunscreen with at least SPF
15. If you can find it, a moisturizer with SPF 30 is even
better. Sun damage to unprotected skin can quickly undo
the healthy effects of even the best skincare regime.
Hydrate
Drink
adequate amounts of water after your workout. Most experts
recommend eight 12oz glasses per day – that should go up
if you’re exercising. While you’re in the gym, hydration
is an easy thing to remember, but after you leave, is when
it’s most important. Not only does the water return much-needed
moisture to your muscles, it also helps to keep your
healthy by flushing it of the toxins that start working
their way out of your body as you exercise.
Tip:
Once a month, include a mild exfoliant between your deep
cleanser and your astringent. An exfoliant will gently
remove dead skin cells and leave your face smooth and
rejuvenated. There are a variety of exfoliants out there,
so be sure to look for products that are formulated to
work gently and do not include pieces of nuts or seeds –
these can damage your newly invigorated skin.
