Now that spring is finally here, it’s a whole lot easier to get out and be active. But working out and breaking a sweat doesn’t mean you have to break out as well! A lot of people believe that sweating causes breakouts and in a way that is true; sweating can contribute to breakouts if you don’t take care of your skin properly before and after you sweat.
Sweating as a whole is actually very good for your skin. When you sweat, that is your body’s way of releasing toxins and bacteria from your skin. As your body heat rises when you work out, your pores open up and the sweats helps purge debris from your skin and cools your body down. As the sweat evaporates, it leaves sodium, chloride, and potassium behind on your skin (which is why people think sweat tastes salty). So it’s not the act of sweating that causes breakouts, it’s that bad stuff that is already on your skin before sweating and the bad stuff your body is getting rid of as you sweat that causes them.
Many people don’t realize it but that’s why it is so important to actually cleanse your skin before you work out and again after you work out.
The most effective way to combat those workout blemishes is making sure your skin is free (as best as it can be) from debris, make up, and bacteria before working out. This will help cut down on all of that junk getting into your pores as you sweat. We recommend using our Cleansing Oil before working out. A quick swipe of that around your face will help your skin to fight off the acne causing bacteria that is released from your skin as you sweat.
After working out we recommend using the Face Polish (2-3 times a week) to scrub off the excess toxins and dead skin cells from your pores that were left behind from sweating (it’s really important to use the Face Polish if you aren’t about to get into a shower soon after a work out!) and the Solid Cleanser to cleanse away the salts left behind after your sweat evaporates. We then recommend following up with our Hydration Cream to help calm your skin down, especially if your face gets really red after working out.
(And don't forget to drink a lot of water before, during and after your workout to keep your body hydrated from the inside out and to prevent dehydration after a solid sweat session!)
One of our regular customers, Blanca, is very active - she loves Crossfit and running, so she isn’t a stranger to getting a good sweat going!
Blanca has found that the Beauty Box routine works best for her and all of the products easily fit into her gym bag so she can keep her skin in great shape when she is at the gym or running a marathon! She shared the following with us:
“The Cleansing Oil the night before is key for me. I normally use that and the Hydration Cream at night before bed since I get up so early for the gym. Even at 5 am, I find that my skin is still fresh, clean, and moisturized! I usually hit the gym for a solid 50-60 minutes. I sweat like crazy, so it’s important to start with a clean face before the workout so my pores don’t get clogged. A clean face is also a good way to detox - I’m not getting as much dirt and salty sweat trapped on my skin! When I get home, I use the Solid Cleanser and Konjac Sponge to lightly scrub away any dirt and sweat off my face. I use the Face Polish two times during the week to make sure I’ve cleansed away any dead skin cells. I follow with the Hydration Cream and I am ready to start my day!”
If you don’t have a Beauty Box for your gym bag and would like one, click here to purchase one in our signature scent Be True! Looking for Unscented? Click here!
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