Sweat, Exercise and Sensitive Skin

Whether you’re a fitness fanatic who’s always ready to HIIT the gym, or prefer a more leisurely approach to working out (swim, yoga? Yes please!) the benefits of a bit of exercise on your skin can be amazing. Just think: increased blood flow to your skin not only nourishes skin cells by bringing fresh oxygen to them, but boosts your circulation and helps remove cellular waste products and free radicals, too.

Now that’s a win-win!  The downside? Well, exercise is always good news, but extra sweat, more oils on your skin’s surface plus bacteria can cause sensitive skin to feel irritated. No need to stress over sweat, with a little know-how, it’s easy to manage how it can affect your skin.

Sweat it out

One of the main things a solid workout does to our bodies (and skin in particular!), is make us sweat. Its purpose is to cool us down when things hot up, and regulate our body temperature. But, when left to linger, it can also clog pores, potentially leading to inflammation, breakouts, and irritated skin. Gearing up for your next workout? Take note of our gym skincare routine for tips and tricks.

Keep skin clean before and after working out

The solution? Easy! Just make sure you gently cleanse your skin before your workout, and once your class is over, whip off that sweat with a trusty face wipe or a gentle cleanser to help stop impurities from sitting on your skin. A toner, too, can help remove excess oils and dead skin cells that may lurk on your face after washing.

Hydrate your skin when you exercise

Naturally when we sweat we lose water, so it only makes sense to replenish what’s been lost. And, when you’re dehydrated, skin can look sallow and dull. Try a hydrating moisturiser (after you cleanse!), and of course, keep a full bottle of H20 mat-side to sip between those lunges and stretches.