It’s no secret that exercise is excellent for the heart, lungs, and mental outlook, but we often overlook how it can help maintain a beautiful glow. “Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your skin,” explains dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD, author of Simple Skin Beauty: Every Woman’s Guide to a Lifetime Healthy, Gorgeous Skin. “Anything that promotes healthy circulation will help keep your skin looking its best.”
Feeding the body before and after pumping up those muscles is a must, but some other skincare practices are also essential to consider. “Skin care is a whole-body thing,” says cosmetologist Geetika Mittal Gupta, who advocates cleansing regularly and using light moisturizers with sun protection and a good SPF. She also suggests avoiding products that contain alcohol, harsh chemicals, and fragrances.
It’s also a good idea to bring your face wipes or invest in a gentle cleanser that you can use before hitting the gym, as using communal towels isn’t ideal for your skin. “Communal towels are washed with detergents and can cause your skin to be irritated,” she notes. “And if you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid washing your face right after sweating heavily.”
The next thing to remember is that while you are in the gym or doing a workout at home, staying hydrated is a good idea. The more water you drink, the better hydrated your skin will be, which can help reduce redness and itchiness and prevent dryness.
Another thing to remember regarding working out is to include carbs in your post-workout meal. “Carbohydrates help the body recover from exercise and replenish glycogen stores,” explains sports dietitian Jennifer McDaniel, RDN, CCSD. She recommends a snack or post-workout meal that includes both protein and carbs, such as whole-wheat toast and avocado with tofu, brown rice with black beans and steamed vegetables, quinoa with spinach and edamame, or a smoothie bowl packed with fruits, veggies, and a scoop of protein powder.
Lastly, she advises people to use cleansers that are gentle on the skin and formulated without ingredients that can be irritating, such as toxins, synthetic dyes, fragrances, heavy metals, carcinogens, and silicones. She recommends choosing a product that contains calming ingredients, such as chamomile and aloe vera.
While exercising is excellent for our health and fitness goals, it’s important to remember that it can also take a toll on our skin. Follow these simple tips to keep your skin healthy while hitting the gym and beyond! Do you have any additional workout-related skin care tips to add? Tell us in the comments below! We love hearing from you.
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