Photo: TORWAISTUDIO / Shutterstock
Having an active life is a healthy habit as it keeps the body in shape, gives you strength and provides a feeling of relaxation and well-being. However, It is important to take care of your skin before and after training as the epidermis can suffer from perspiration. Sweat and the proliferation of bacteria can cause tissue damage causing irritation or acne.
When you sweat excessively, you lose water, which favors the dehydration of the tissues, while you secrete mineral salts that can irritate the superficial layer of the skin. The weakening of the external acid mantle makes you more vulnerable to factors such as chronological aging, free radicals or UV radiation.
If you exercise outdoors, it is important to keep in mind that the skin has a natural ability to protect against UV rays. However, it is diminished with the rise in temperatures. When sweating, microcirculation is activated, which can cause some irritation and tissue inflammation.
Regarding sweating, it not only has negative aspects, it can increase the oxygenation of the skin and the renewal of the dermis from the cells, which helps in subsequent treatments. The director of the Institute of Beauty and Aesthetic Medicine Maribel Yébenes told Hello! that sweat also helps wash away excess sebum from pores and surface bacteria.
For this reason, it is necessary to establish adequate routines for skin care and avoid other harmful habits. The pre-workout routine is important since the skin must be prepared. When you make physical effort, the pores open and favor the penetration of sweat, grease and other residues that clog them.
Skin care before training
1. Avoid wearing makeup as it may be the main reason acne breakouts: It is recommended that you clean your skin before starting your exercise routine, use a mild make-up remover that will help remove residue that can block pores.
2. Do not exfoliate your skin: these abrasive treatments can irritate you when combined with sweat.
3. Moisturize your skin by applying a mild cream and sunscreen: If you exercise outdoors it is important that you use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect yourself from UV rays.
4. Avoid using heavy products: can cause your skin to suffocate during exercise.
5. Do not use new products since they can cause an allergic reaction, or a compound can be activated with sweat that affects your complexion.
6. Wear appropriate clothing for physical activity: fabrics like cotton reduce sweat breakouts and the chances of fungal infection.
after training
1. Wash your hands after exercising to eliminate bacteria and microbes that you can pick up from touching gym equipment. In general, avoiding touching your face will avoid the chances of allergies, bacterial and fungal infections.
2. Wash your face with a mild cleanser to remove all traces of sweat and bacteria from the skin as these can cause subsequent breakouts and acne.
3. Avoid applying makeup Immediately after exercising, let your skin breathe before applying pore-clogging products.
4. Take a shower and put on clean clothes to reduce body odor and prevent infection.
5. Moisturize your skin: drinking water is important after training to recover from dehydration. If your skin is red, use a cool, damp washcloth to reduce inflammation. In addition, you can apply soft creams to the face and neck region, after washing.
6. Use sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays.
Keep reading:
• Mental health: what foods you can eat to improve it
• How to deal with post-traumatic stress, according to a psychiatrist
• Healthy heart: 3 healthy breakfasts to improve cholesterol