There’s no denying the benefits exercise has to your overall wellbeing – but you still have to take special measures to look after your body following a workout. You cool-down, fuel up and massage those aching muscles, so why don’t you give your skin wellness the same care and attention? According to anti-ageing wellness expert Anvi Mehta, ‘Regular workouts regulate the body functioning and stimulate the body processes. There is a lot of sweating, and release of body toxins. This helps to open the skin pores and rejuvenate skin cells. Post workout care generally is done to cool down the body. The post workout care should contribute to skin care and nourishment as well.’ But how do you do it? Let’s look at a few tips to help you look after your skin following a workout.
1. Avoid the Sun: ‘Our skin pores are open after a gym workout,’ Mehta explains. ‘Avoid going directly in the sun after a workout session is over. The sun rays can cause harm to your skin. Your skin may get tanned by direct exposure to sunlight. For a post workout care, the first thing you do is cover your face with a scarf when you are out in the sun immediately after a workout. You can also use a sun block cream or lotion, but it does not protect the skin as much as covering your face would do.’
2. Cleanse, Cleanse, Cleanse: Mehta points out, ‘When working out you sweat a lot. You are sweaty and sticky from top to toe after working out. A post workout care you must diligently follow is have a shower after cooling or relaxing yourself. The sweat can make you uncomfortable and it becomes a dwelling place for bacteria, viruses, dust and dirt. Therefore, clean yourself after a workout. Do not be harsh on your skin, use mild shower gels and a soft loofah to clean yourself.’
3. Re-Hydrate: ‘Your body is drained out of water after a workout,’ warns Mehta. ‘You must re-hydrate your skin and body after a workout session. Drink a lot of water to hydrate your body. Also, use a lot of moisturiser on your skin after a shower. Your skin needs moisture to become supple and soft again. Use a moisturiser of a good company for this purpose. Do not use a moisturiser unless you have had a shower. Sweaty skin should not be layered with a cream. Use this tip for skin care after workout.’
4. Be Hygienic: Mehta warns, ‘If you opt for a gym washroom for a shower, be careful of the towels and cleansing products you use. Do not use towels already used by someone. The sweat of other people can cause acne on your skin. You must use clean and washed towels to clean your body off from the sweat. Cleaning your skin should be hygienic. This is a must-follow tip for skin care after workout. Also, avoid wearing gym clothes after washing yourself clean. Gym clothes will be sweaty and grimy, they may cause acne and other skin related problems.’
5. Avoid Contamination: ‘Everybody in the gym sweats because of the exercises they are doing,’ says Mehta. ‘After a workout, avoid touching anybody else who is still working out. Coming in contact with other people’s sweat may also cause skin acne, pimples and other related problems. After a workout, avoid coming in contact with other people, their sweat filled clothes, towels, etc. This is an important post workout tip for skin care after a workout. When you are in a gym you must be careful with your skin.’