Before, During, and After a Workout: How to Protect Your Skin

Regular physical activity is one of the best things you could do for your body and overall appearance. Apart from boosting your energy and reducing your risk of diseases, exercise helps to keep you fit and even gives you better skin. It increases blood flow and oxygenation to the skin, resulting in a healthy or post-workout glow. 

Exercise does wonders for your well-being and complexion, but practicing pre- and post-workout habits can give your skin the care it needs. As excessive sweating from exercise can lead to an accumulation of dirt, oil, and bacteria on your skin, maintaining proper hygiene before, during, and after your physical activity is a must.

 Continue reading for a few skincare tips before, during, and after a workout. 

1. Shower before working out

While you should definitely hit the showers after sweating out, doing it before you work out actually comes with benefits. It freshens you up before your session, rinsing off any dirt, sweat, or odor present on your skin. Doing so helps you feel alert and energized, particularly with a cold shower. 

Other benefits of a pre-workout shower include:

• Helps relax or loosen up muscles
• A lower heart rate that can help you last longer in high-intensity workouts 
• Reduces body odor and increases confidence
• Helps you feel more prepared and focused on your workout

A quick, simple shower is enough. You don’t need to scrub or deep clean your body. Just rinse or freshen up, so you start your routine feeling clean and fresh, and not with sticky skin or unwanted odors.

2. Be sun smart

If you’re exercising outdoors or going to the gym during the day, don’t forget to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen. This also applies if you’re working in a gym or space with windows that allow light to enter. Choose a formula that offers UVA and UVB protection (broad-spectrum) with SPF 30 or higher. 

Make sure to apply it to commonly neglected areas such as the ears, neck, chest, and back of the hands. And if you’re in the market for a new face sunscreen, Dr. Sylvia’s Clear Defense SPF 45 and Sheer Defense Tinted SP 46 are broad-spectrum formulas. They offer protection against UV and infrared damage, as well as reduce redness and blotchiness.

3. Wear appropriate clothing

Quality activewear or those that are well-designed and made with lightweight materials allow you to exercise in comfort and solely focus on your routine. The general rule is to opt for sweat-wicking fabrics made for working out. Avoid extremely tight and super baggy clothes, which can restrict your movement or do more harm than good. 

It is also a good idea not to have exposed skin directly touching any gym equipment, which can be breeding grounds for fungi and bacteria. This is why long sleeve shirts and pants are ideal, but you could also consider putting a towel on surfaces or equipment that your skin might come into contact with. 

4. Wipe things down before and after using them

While most gyms have sanitizing wipes or towelettes, it is also a good idea to bring your own disinfecting wipes. Use them to wipe down bars, benches, weights, mats, and any other gym equipment you will be using. 

Wiping things down after use is also a basic gym etiquette that can help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria from sweat. This applies even if you don’t sweat a lot; it is just a simple way to protect yourself and others.

5. Hit the showers after exercising 

Sweating creates a warm and moist environment that makes it easier for bacteria to grow. All that sweat from your skin and gym clothes may also lead to body odor, as well as clog your pores and cause breakouts. Showering with a gentle body cleanser washes off dirt and sweat, as well as helps you cool down and feel better. 

Ideally, you should hit the shower 20 minutes after your workout to give your body enough time to cool down. You can spend the extra 20 minutes rehydrating or make a smoothie. After showering, apply lotion while the skin is slightly damp to seal in moisture and keep your skin from feeling dry. 

6. Make sure to wash your face 

If you cannot shower in the next 20 minutes, make sure to wash your face and not just splash water onto it. Use a gentle cleanser or a formula that is right for your skin type. Our clinic has two additional face cleansers under the Dr. Sylvia Skin Care line. Both can lift dirt, oil, and impurities without stripping your skin. 

Sensitive Cleanser with Aloe Leaf Water – is a creamy, rinse-off, facial cleanser ideal for very dry or sensitive skin. It contains soothing ingredients that make it gentle enough even for rosacea-prone skin. It gently cleanses and removes dirt, oil, and bacteria while also softening and freshening the skin.

Deep Cleanser with Rice Water – removes dead skin cells and impurities, leaving your skin feeling clean, renewed, and refreshed. Ideal for problematic and oily skin, it reduces excess oiliness without drying the skin.

Let us be your beauty partner

Apart from medical-grade skincare, our clinic also has several aesthetic treatments for clearer and glowing skin. Browse through our blog for more skincare tips and product recommendations or contact us at +65 6801 4000 to book a consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors.