HOW YOUR WORKOUT MAY AFFECT YOUR SKIN

Exercising can have a positive and negative impact on your skin. Here are some ways to keep your skin healthy while staying fit.
Regular exercise can help you maintain your weight, improve your self-esteem and motivation, as well as make your skin look better. It is possible to get skin infections and flare-ups from working out if you don’t take the proper precautions. All that sweat can cause clogging of our pores, breakouts, chafing and other problems. The best defense is to understand the good and the bad so that you can protect your skin.

Stress management and sleep regulation are two other ways that fitness can improve our skin’s appearance. Burning calories can also reduce anxiety. This can help to decrease the severity or likelihood of skin conditions such as acne, eczema or psoriasis. Stress can play a part in these conditions. You will sleep better if you have a consistent workout routine. Dr. Kaminska says that dark circles around the eyes are less common when you sleep more.

The down side of sweat
It feels like sweat is flowing from every direction, whether you’re at a rigorous boot camp or hot vinyasa class. It is, and it is! Although sweating can be a healthy way of releasing buildup and impurities, it can also clog your pores and cause skin problems throughout your body. This is especially true if you have heavy makeup or use other acne-causing products.

Protect your skin during a workout
If you are concerned about your skin, don’t stop going to your favorite workout or skip your routine.

Skip makeup
It’s easy to forget to apply the foundation that you used in the morning, especially when you are trying to squeeze in some exercise time before you relax at night. Although it may seem small, Sweat mixed with makeup can be more damaging than normal. Your pores will become “clogged” even before you start your workout. Before you pick up a dumbbell, it is better to clean your skin with a mild cleanser.

Never skip sun protection
It’s important to protect your skin when you sweat outside. This means staying shaded whenever possible and wearing sun-protective clothes. Many brands of fitness apparel offer hats, sunglasses, or clothing that provide UV protection. To all skin that is not covered by clothing, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is water-resistant and at least 30 SPF. Look for sunscreens that are “non-comedogenic”, or won’t clog pores. It will not only prevent skin cancer but also help you look younger for longer. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen after a vigorous workout, such as marathon training.

Apply some moisturizer before you go outside to further protect your skin. This step should not be skipped.

Select the right fabrics
When you are looking to update your workout clothes, consider synthetic fabrics such as nylon and polyester. Also, be sure to look for garments that have “moisture-wicking.” These fabrics “wick” sweat away and dry quickly. This helps prevent clogged pores, cool down the body, and also reduces your overall temperature. Because tight clothes and accessories can rub against your skin and cause irritation, make sure you wear loose workout clothes.

Have the right shoes fitted
Athletic sneakers can be customized to fit every person’s feet. You have your shoes fitted in a running or athletic shop. Shoes that fit properly reduce blisters and injury. You can also prevent blisters by wearing moisture-wicking socks or nylon. If necessary, you can apply soft bandages to protect sensitive areas such as your heels.

Keep clean
Avoid touching equipment or towels that aren’t clean. To avoid germs spreading, use a towel to gently wipe away sweat. To avoid germs spreading, you should use your own equipment like a yoga mat.

How to protect your skin following a workout
Now it’s time to get the reward. You have worked hard, now you can relax. You give your skin some post-workout care by taking a shower. This helps to remove sweat, oils, bacteria, and keeps pores clean. If you are unable to shower, wash your skin with a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser. You can also use pads that contain salicylic acid to wipe any areas that may become dry. Also, change into clean clothes.

Another thing to remember: Don’t go barefoot in the gym’s locker room or shower. Public locker rooms can be a high-traffic area and may not get cleaned as frequently or well as they should. This increases the chance of skin infections such as fungus or warts. You can keep yourself safe with a pair of flip-flops for travel.

Cleanser
Use a cleanse with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to clean pores and combat bacteria. Salicylic acid, which is oil-soluble can penetrate our pores and provide deep exfoliation. It also helps prevent excess oil production. This can be used to treat whiteheads and blackheads as well as other forms of inflammatory acne. Benzoyl peroxide is a wash that kills bacteria and helps reduce body odor (also caused by bacteria). People with sensitive skin may find benzoyl peroxide irritating. It should be avoided when using with products that contain salicylic acid or other drying ingredients.

Deodorant/antiperspirant
Antiperspirants can reduce sweating and odor but deodorants mask it. Look out for “aluminum chlorineide” when shopping for antiperspirants. This is a substance that Dr. Moustafa claims blocks sweat ducts and reduces sweat production. Higher concentrations are more effective, and are often labeled “clinical strength.” Dr. Moustafa recommends that you apply deodorant after you shower and again before going to work.