Hitting the Gym? Here’s Why You Should Exfoliate First

 

Water bottle, check. Gym shorts, check. Exfoliation, check…? If something sounds a little off about this workout preparation, you may want to rethink the way you get ready to head to the gym. Even if you hit the showers immediately after you sweat it out, a workout without washing and exfoliating your face beforehand could set you up for a losing battle with your skin. Here’s why.

Exfoliate First, Sweat Second

Sweating during and after a workout is a good sign, right? It means that you’ve accomplished what you probably set out to do: increase your heart rate, challenge your muscles and cardiovascular system, and burn calories. But sweating isn’t so great for your skin, at least when it’s dirty and possibly covered in makeup.

If you hit the gym while you still have dirt, oil, makeup, and other buildup on your skin, sweat can trap that debris inside your pores, leading to breakouts, dry skin, or excess sebum (oil) production. Even if you wash your face after your workout, the damage could already be done.

On the other hand, exfoliating before you start to sweat will sweep away any dirt and debris that may have built up on your face throughout the day or even while you were sleeping, leaving nothing behind for your sweat to trap deep within your pores. The ViaBuff Facial Mini Buff is perfect for throwing in your gym bag for this very reason. Quickly exfoliate your face before sweating it out, and you’ll notice a huge difference in your skin’s health.

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More Skin Care Tips for Gym-Goers

Exfoliating your skin prior to your workout is one of the best ways to prevent exercise-related breakouts and other unwanted skin conditions. But if you frequent the gym, you may be guilty of a few of these skin care faux pas that could contribute to breakouts. For the healthiest, smoothest skin, no matter how much you exercise, keep these tips in mind:

 

  • Pull your hair back. If you leave your hair hanging in your face (and on your skin) while you work out, it may help to trap sweat in your pores, and hair products could transfer and contribute to breakouts.
  • Avoid touching your face at the gym. It can be tempting to quickly wipe away sweat with the back of your hand while on the treadmill, but this is a skin care no-no, for a few reasons. First, gym equipment is notorious for being covered in bacteria, which you’ve now just wiped all over your face. Secondly, rubbing your skin during your workout can make existing acne worse and may contribute to new breakouts.
  • Stay hydrated. You might already bring plenty of water with you to the gym because you know that you need to hydrate your body to keep it functioning optimally. But drinking enough water can also help to keep your skin clean and clear, because your skin is the largest organ in your body and needs adequate water to perform normal functions. But because your skin is actually the last organ to receive water, it’s best to team water consumption with a great topical moisturizer to keep that moisture locked into your skin (University of Wisconsin-Madison Health).

 

The Bottom Line

Your gym routine doesn’t have to be complicated in order to maintain healthy, smooth skin. By remembering to exfoliate before you head out the door, you can expect to notice a significant difference in your skin’s overall texture and condition. You may notice an improvement with your first use of a Viabuff buff. There’s no reason you can’t reap the physical benefits of exercise while also having amazing skin.

Comments 2

  1. Exfoliating before the gym can cause irritating rashes. Exfoliating is like making small microscopic incisions on your face and then when sweat enters it causes it to burn and a rash occurs. It’s like putting salt on a wound…painful. Just wash your face before the gym, no need to exfoliate.

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