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4 Steps for a Quick, Easy Post-Workout Skin Care Routine
After a long, taxing workout, few things sound better than a nice, refreshing shower. Many of us are familiar with the benefits of cleaning our bodies after exercise, but fewer people are aware of the value of a post-workout skin care routine.
It might seem unnecessary, but this step is one of many that relates to how athletes can take care of their skin over time.
Sweat can be very harsh on your skin, and if you’re exposing yourself to it regularly, you probably need to do something to make up for its downsides.
Fortunately, you can follow some easy steps to ensure your skin is clean and hydrated after a sweaty workout. Below, we’ll break down what you need to know to make sure your skin is properly cared for each time you exercise.
1. Change Your Clothes
One of the biggest favors you can do for your skin is to remove sweaty clothing as quickly as possible.
The longer you let sweat sit on your skin, the more opportunity you give bacteria to join the mix and create odors. Plus, leaving sweaty undergarments on can cause irritation and infections.
If you can’t change your clothes, consider at least swapping to new undergarments. If that’s not possible either, you can try to wipe away some of the sweat on your skin when you wash your face. Try to head somewhere where you can change into a new outfit sooner rather than later.
2. Thoroughly Cleanse with a Face Wash
Use lukewarm water and your hands or a washcloth to gently wet your face. Then, apply a small amount of gentle face wash and massage your face for around 30 to 60 seconds.
This timeframe helps you ensure you spend long enough hitting each area and thoroughly remove all the sweat. Don’t forget to scrub areas like your hairline and the edges of your cheeks that can collect sweat without you realizing it.
Once you’ve spent time on each part of your face, rinse all soap away with more lukewarm water. Pat your skin dry with a towel to avoid causing unnecessary redness.
3. Hop in the Shower or Wipe Away Sweat with Body Wash
If you can, it’s a good idea to take a quick post-workout shower. If you'd like, you can skip face washing as a separate step and take care of it while you’re in the shower.
However, if you’re unable to shower or simply prefer not to, an easy alternative is to take a “sink shower.” This involves using a washcloth, paper towels, your hands, etc. and a small amount of soap or body wash and water to clean especially sweaty or stinky areas.
No matter which route you choose, take care to hit spots that tend to collect the most sweat. Your armpits and groin are some of the main culprits of body odor.
It also helps to pay attention to your back and chest, especially if you’ve been wearing a sports bra or a tight top. These areas can be riddled with dead skin, sweat, and dirt, leaving your skin feeling itchy and congested.
To avoid concerns like these, opt for a powerful cleansing option like OffCourt’s Exfoliating Body Soap. Our Body Soap Trio Pack is an excellent choice for athletes on the go, featuring three exfoliating bar soaps with unique scents to help you add some variety to your routine.
OffCourt’s best-smelling body wash and skin care products for athletes are designed to target and work with sweat, giving you powerful results every time.
White pumice and salt join forces in our Exfoliating Body Soap to scrub away gunk while shea butter, olive oil, and sunflower seed extract nourish and hydrate skin as you cleanse. There’s no better choice to wash away well-earned sweat.
4. Apply a Gentle Serum and Good Face Moisturizer
Once you’re fresh and clean, it’s time to soothe your skin and lock in the benefits of your hygiene products. You can use a gentle and hydrating serum if you want to, or you can skip ahead to your final step: moisturizing.
Apply a lightweight face moisturizer with your fingers and lightly massage the product into your skin to help it absorb.
It’s important to avoid being too rough here; your skin is delicate as is, but it’s probably already a bit flushed and sensitive after being coated in sweat. A good face moisturizer helps protect your skin barrier after you’ve put so much effort into cleaning it.
The Best Skin Care for Sweaty Faces: More Tips and Answers
If you want to take your skin care to the next level, you’ll likely need to do more than just wash up after a workout. Don’t fret, though – we’ve got the answers and advice necessary to help you keep your complexion in tip-top shape.
Does sweat exfoliate skin?
Sweat does act as an exfoliant by clearing out dead skin cells as it exits your pores. It also contains lots of minerals and salt, which can also help exfoliate your skin.
However, that doesn’t mean that letting yourself get sweaty and leaving your skin that way is a good idea. You can reap the benefits of sweat just by producing it; you should still make sure to clean up afterward.
This can be especially true given the fact that sweat pushes things out of your skin. If you leave it there to collect, it might cause clogs or irritation.
What is the best option for skin care for male athletes?
Athletes of all genders and backgrounds can benefit from a gentle cleanser, a hydrating face moisturizer, and some time spent massaging your skin to thoroughly clean out all pores. Male athletes don’t need any special or extra products to get the job done.
Don’t skip out on skin care, either; it’s beneficial for everyone and can have long-term effects on how your complexion looks and feels.
What are some suggestions for how athletes can take care of their skin long-term?
Below are some simple tips that you can use to keep your skin healthy and radiant while staying active.
- Exfoliate When Appropriate. Gentle exfoliation is great for purging sweat and dead skin from your pores, but it’s easy to overdo it. When you over-exfoliate, your skin might be red, sting, or hurt to the touch.
- Remove Sweat as Quickly as Possible. Leaving sweat on your skin is a great way to clog pores, but it’s also likely to cause irritation. Bacteria love to make sweaty skin their new habitat, and their presence can cause acne, infection, or odors.
- Choose the Right Products. Opting for dedicated skin care products for athletes can help you steer clear of heavy ingredients that might not fit your lifestyle. It’s also good to look out for ingredients that help combat some of the challenges exercise creates, like dehydrating your skin or leaving it more prone to bacterial overgrowth.
What are the best skin care products for athletes?
OffCourt is your one-stop shop for skin care products for athletes regardless of your skin type. Our formulas are all created with the needs and priorities of athletes in mind. From deodorant body spray to fragrances, our inventory is stocked with the essentials athletes need to look, feel, and smell their best.
Check out our full range of product offerings to see what else OffCourt can help you with. Our goal is to make your self-care a breeze.
Exfoliating Body Soap - Trio Pack