Post-Exercise Skincare
Although some of us enjoy a glow after exercise, some others are more prone to breakouts caused by pores clogged with sweat & oil buildup. Whether it's an HBO-bum routine or an anti-workout regimen that you’ve been following during quarantine, sweat is inevitable. Clogged pores, on the other hand, are avoidable with these tips . . .
Support the Lymphatic Flow of Your Skin
Exercise increases oxygenation & blood flow, heightening the benefits of a pre-exercise detoxification regimen. Before your workout, gently jumpstart this process by dry brushing your body. This sheds the skin of dead cells that clog pores, which can cause facial or back acne. It also invigorates the skin cells, allowing for greater circulation to release toxins through perspiration. The slight warming of the skin tissue that dry brushing generates also allows the muscles to relax, easing them into the demands of exercise. Grab a brush like this one, which is great for reaching harder parts such as the back, and follow these directions!
Perhaps an obvious but . . . Avoid Makeup
This one might be a no-brainer for some but it's an uncomfortable challenge for many others who feel more comfortable in public with makeup on. As understandable as it is, having any makeup—from the full coverage foundation to a simple dab of under-eye concealer—can be a contributing factor to post-exercise induced pimples. As sweat drips down our face, it mixes with these ingredients along with the dead skin cells and sebum that already pose as comedogenic factors. Not to mention, if you also make it a habit (as we all should, no matter age or skin tone) to wear sunscreen in the morning, it creates another non-breathable film over the skin that can cause further pore blockage when combined with sweat. Below are some favourite oil cleansers to use before your gentle cleanser to properly cleanse your skin:
Try facing the challenge of going makeup-free during exercise (and during the current quarantine in general) which will not only allow your skin to perspire more freely but might surprisingly free you to gradually embrace your own skin as it is.
Wash Your Face Immediately & Mask Weekly
The two things I immediately do after my runs is wash my face and stuff my face. As it's critical, especially for high-intensity or long trainings, to fuel within 20 minutes, I shower after I eat. However, I make sure to wash my face before I do so. I use a gentle cleanser, currently switching between this one for sensitive-to-dry skin (here is the oily skin alternative) and my beloved African black soap that I get from a local Ghanaian vendor here in Baltimore. I recommend using this affordable mask for chemical exfoliation once or, once toleration is built, twice weekly. There are also some other favourites linked below that are not only cleansing through natural exfoliants like papaya but nourishing—golde is gold!
Cleanse, Calm, & Hydrate
If you sweat more profusely or are prone to clogged pores, incorporate a deeper cleansing to your post-workout skincare regimen. Double cleanse by washing your face first with a cleanser such as the two options above then an oil-based cleanser, such as the ones above. This will clear the sebum build-up more effectively. An oil-based cleanser might sound counter-intuitive in combatting oil, but the combination of oil to oil with water provides for the emulsion necessary to dissolve excess oil. It also reduces enlarged pores and redness, which those with rosacea or fair complexion can face post-exercise.
Sweating dehydrates our skin, so a deeply-penetrating moisturiser that simultaneously lets the skin breathe is necessary. Using thermal water-infused products, like this cleanser to follow the oil cleanser for a double cleanse, provides moisture retention and pH balance. Then spritz a calming toner or hydrosol such as a rose or lavender-based one to prepare the skin for and heighten the benefits of your serum & moisturiser. After your toner, pat on your water-based serum. I love this one, for which you can get 10% off if you follow this BFF link! Below is a list containing toners, moisturisers, and favourite serums:
For moisture, a light oil serum with calming ingredients like rosehip, liqourice, or zinc will create an optimal moisture balance. This Rosehip & Chamomile Calming Cream tames irritation caused by perspiration and reduces redness. Below is a list of my favourite oils, some of which also contain safflower oil, which contains linoleic acid triglycerides and oleic acids, both of which combat acne. Then seal the moisturiser with an oil, such as one of the the few below:
Don't forget to also hydrate yourself from the inside out with water; coconut water; and whole foods with high water content such as cucumbers, radishes, electrolyte-balancing watermelon.
About the Author
Almila Kakinc-Dodd is the Founder, Editor-in-Chief of The Thirlby. She is also the author of the book The Thirlby: A Field Guide to a Vibrant Mind, Body, & Soul. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Nursing as a Dean’s Scholar at Johns Hopkins University. Her background is in Anthropology & Literature, which she has further enriched through her Integrative Health Practitioner training at Duke University. She lives in Baltimore, MD, where she regularly contributes to various publications. She is a member of Democratic Socialists of America and urges others to join the movement.
