STYLE

1. Wash it off

It may sound simple, but many women forget to wash their face after a workout. No matter if you are in a rush or simply forgot your cleanser at home, Jasmina says there is no excuse to leave the gym without freshening up your face. The first thing you should do post-workout is cleanse!

TIP: Jasmina’s go-to for a quick cleanse is to pack a toner and a few cotton balls in her gym bag (she swears by Stages of Beauty's Radiance Toner).

There’s a common misconception that we only need to wear an SPF if we’re going to be outside, but Jasmina warns us that that is 100% false! Women should be wearing an SPF every day, even if they are working/working out inside. Harmful rays can reflect off of metal and glass surfaces in the gym and radiate on your face, causing damage. Jasmina wears an SPF 30 from the moment she wakes up in the morning to the moment she goes to bed.

TIP: Apply an SPF before your workout and if you plan on working out outdoors, frequently reapply the SPF to ensure full coverage. Also, make sure you reapply after washing your face for continuous coverage!

3. Make it steamy

For those with acne-prone skin, if your gym has a steam room, use it! Hop in for 5 minutes before your shower and use this as a great way to sweat out some toxins. After you shower, be sure to drink plenty of water and moisturize before going about your day as usual.

TIP: Jasmina recommends using the steam room 3x a week, especially if you are doing rigorous exercise on a regular basis. It’s a great way to get skin back into control and soothe breakouts.

4. Hands off

During your workout, try not to touch your face with your sweaty hands! When your body heats up and sweats, your pores are even more open and able to take in elements from the environment. This makes your skin more susceptible to taking on bacteria and pore-clogging dirt and oil.

TIP: If you’re doing a class at the gym or stretches/exercises on a mat, make sure they are wiped down before touching your face to them. 

5. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate

Exfoliation is an important step in an exerciser’s skincare regimen. Skin can often become dry from frequent sweating and washing and it’s key to remove dead skin cells on a regular basis (twice a week) in order to reveal a more radiant, youthful complexion.

6. Go au natural

When working out, avoid wearing makeup or cosmetic products that are too heavy, anything that keeps moisture in the skin should be avoided. You want your skin to be able to breathe while you work out and if it can’t, you may get clogged pores. Ingredients to avoid include silicones (usually found in primers) and petrochemicals (commonly found in moisturizers).

TIP: If you feel that you need to wear some type of makeup when you work out, Jasmina suggests opting for waterproof mascara (no smudges!) and tinted lip balm with SPF.

7. Moisturize much?

Frequent sweating, cleansing and sun exposure can dry out skin and cause irritation. It’s imperative to moisturize the skin in the evening to let your treatment cream do its magic on your skin as you sleep.

TIP: Depending on your skin type – sensitive or not sensitive, dry or normal - you’ll want to choose a moisturizer that calms your skin while hydrating it! Jasmina is a fan of Stages of Beauty’s Radiance Treatment Cream. 

8. Prevent & repair sweat-induced skin irritation

Have you ever experienced those pesky little bumps under your skin? This build-up is caused by excessive sweating and the bumps are actually hardened oils produced by the skin. Prevent these by exfoliating your skin on a regular basis. If you already suffer from these and they don’t go away after two weeks, the best solution is to see a trained aesthetician for a facial. This will bring them to the surface of your skin and ease, if not completely eliminate their appearance on your face.

by Ana D’Ambrogi | 2/1/2016