How to look even better in your activewear
Just as exercising is great for your overall health and body wellness, it’s also beneficial for your skin health.
If you notice your cheeks flushed and rosy and your skin glistening after exercising (not from the sweat), your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you! This is known as the post-workout glow, which is a natural lit-from-within glow that’s a result of improved blood circulation when you exercise.
While exercising, your heart beats faster to pump blood filled with oxygen and nutrients more efficiently to every part of your body, and that also includes your skin, the largest organ in the body. This infuses oxygen and nutrients to your skin, imparting that healthy glow.
However (because there is always a however), if you do not take care of your skin before, during and after exercising, you may actually experience the opposite happening with sweat, sebum, dirt and bacteria thrown in the mix.
So, if the last thing you want is to get breakouts post-workout, then keep scrolling!
Before Exercising:
Start off with a clean canvas
It is important to remove any makeup and double cleanse your face before exercising as sebum mixed with dirt and sweat is the perfect breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.
For fuss-free makeup removal on the go, try the ActivCalm Makeup Removal Wipes that removes even waterproof mascara in just one swipe.
Follow up with the ActivCalm Gentle Hydrating Cleansing Mousse to cleanse away any remaining residue on your face. Made up of dense micro-bubbles that look yummilicious like whip cream, it is perfect for everyday use and gentle enough even for those with sensitive and stressed skin to keep your skin fresh as daisy throughout your gym session.
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Opt for a less is more approach
Applying a thin layer of moisturiser is more than sufficient; over-layering too much skincare may end up clogging your pores instead. Nayh!
Try a lightweight moisturiser like the ActivCalm Anti-Stress Hydra Cream that is enhanced with anti-pollution benefits to provide an added shield against accumulated dust if you’re exercising indoors and polluted air if you’re heading outdoors. It has a yoghurt-like texture which makes it easy to spread over your skin and it’s also powered by antioxidants to strengthen your skin barrier and prevent premature ageing.
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Always protect your skin with a SPF
Regardless whether you’re indoors or outdoors, UV rays (A.K.A. the silent skin killer) are everywhere.
Slather on your sunscreen and we recommend one that is water-resistant and sweat-proof, the SunShield SPF 50***. If you’re one who prefers not to go bareface, this sunscreen has a slight tint which provides sheer coverage to conceal imperfections and even out complexion.
Shhh, nobody can tell the difference!
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While Exercising:
Avoid touching your face at all costs
Imagine the amount of dirt, sweat and bacteria accumulated on your gym equipment, especially at the end of the day…
Ewwww… the last thing you want is to transfer them onto your face, so do not let your hands go near your face. Yes, this also means no sweeping of hair behind your ears.
Pat dry your sweat with a clean and soft towel
As convenient as it can be, we understand how tempting it is to just wipe off your sweat with your (probably sweat-drenched) clothing. Hmmmm…think again.
Try to use a face towel that’s separate from one you use to wipe the rest of your body. Pro tip: fold your face towel twice into a square shape and use a different side of the towel each time. By not reusing the same side, you’ll prevent dirt and sweat from transferring back to your face.
After Exercising:
Remember the times your mum nagged at you to wash your hands?
Unfortunately, she’s right. Wash your hands right after your workout and don’t forget to get rid of the dirt that may be embedded underneath your fingernails.. If you need a reminder from our government on how to wash your hands properly, here you go:
Take a shower immediately post-workout
No access to shower facilities? Well, the least you can do is to change into a fresh outfit till you get home. But one thing you can’t skip is to wash your face after exercising.
If you’re in the middle of nowhere with no clean water, you can also use the ActivCalm Makeup Removal Wipes to remove every inch of impurities on your skin. Again, fold the wipes into smaller pieces and avoid repeating the same side for each swipe.
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The good news is: It is 100% alcohol-free hence it does not strip off your skin’s natural moisture and helps to balance your skin’s pH. Infused with goat’s milk, it moisturises and gently exfoliates your skin with lactic acid as well. No rinsing needed!
Calm down your flushed skin
Post-workout glow does not equate to flustered skin.
The not so fab thing about exercising is it raises your body’s and skin’s temperature which causes vascular changes and skin flushing. Overheating and sweating can also trigger sensitivity, especially those with skin conditions like eczema and rosacea.
If you need a little help to calm down your skin, especially if your skin is overheated from exercising right under the sun, you need to try our ActivCalm Quick Soothing SOS Serum which helps to cool down your skin instantly. Better than skin cooling mist, this #skinmergency serum visibly relieves skin sensitivity, redness and inflammation by 100% in less than an hour.
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Pair it with our new LumiGlow SmartSkin Buddy at MODE 3 [BOOST] to provide soothing relief with its potent combination of Cryo Therapy and LED Blue Light technology.
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End off with a moisturiser to seal everything in and reapply your sunscreen
This is pretty much self-explanatory!
While you break a sweat with the extra miles, follow these tips to keep breakouts at bay and enjoy your post-workout glow to its fullest.
In good hands,
Estetica
