The ONE Thing You Have to Do After You Workout

By Malia Warren

Seriously, if you do just this one thing, you won’t end up regretting it!

You work out so hard in the gym. Sweat, tears, chalk, all of it.

Sure you might want to come home and rest, grab something to eat, then do a couple light chores and before you know it, it’s a funk fest in your nostrils – you stink from your workout!

Duh, of course you do.

It’s totally cool, you earned that right.

But, did you at least wash your face?

I spoke with my friend Amanda Sakach, the owner of Purity Skin Studio in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. She is a skin queen, my friends! With over 17 years of skin care knowledge under her belt, I wouldn’t trust anyone else to hook up our readers with some awesome skin care tips to go along with your workout routine!

 

1) Routine is the Frenemy

Sweat is one of the best things you can do to your skin, naturally removing toxins via your pores.

The second best thing, is washing your skin.

Which makes sweat your frenemy, good for you but can be bad for you!

Our skin is the largest organ in our body, and you only get one chance to take care of it – so do it well!

Get on a regular skin care routine. Amanda says to stick to a morning and evening routine of washing your face – it is the best thing you can do for your skin on a daily basis.

Sure, you might be graced with some pretty clean skin, naturally, but the dirt adds up. Pores get clogged, blackheads become a result of your hard work in the gym.

Get it together, Carol, keep that skin looking fresh.

 

2) Hour of Power

Try to get in the habit of washing your face within one hour of working out. This is the optimal time to ensure that the sweat, dirt, and whatever else is on your face, doesn’t settle in for the long haul.

A simple run through with a makeup remover wipe, or clean, wet washcloth, will suffice if you’re on the go.

Save the long routine for right before bed when you have a little more time.

 

3) We have dirt on you

Gyms are notorious for not being the cleanest places in the world.

Sure, there are spray bottles and wipes that people are supposed to use, but not everyone does.

Not only can you get catch a cold, but you can catch some of that dirt in your pores. If your gym has a bathroom, Amanda suggests going into the bathroom right after your workout and running cold water over your face for 20 seconds, or 20 times.

Once or twice won’t cut it, but 20 seconds of cold water splashing is optimal.

At a minimum, you could bring a pack of unscented baby wipes or makeup remover towels with you just to keep the dirt from pitching up a tent on your forehead.

 

4) Still Dirty

You work your ass off in the gym to feel good on the inside and out, why should your skin be any different!?

Even with a skin care routine, some skin types might not benefit. It may even lead to over drying out of your skin – be sure to watch for signs of dryness and take out a wash or two until your skin adapts.

If this still isn’t working for you, you could try getting a facial!

Have you ever had a facial?

My first facial came from a box at Target, but we won’t talk about that.

The real game changer was when I met with Amanda for the first time in her studio to talk about my skincare needs. Having just moved from California to Colorado, my skin was put through the ringer.

Stress, dryness, altitude – all of it took its toll and I was ready for some relief.

Now I get facials regularly to thwart off the dryness that my skin is prone too, as well as keep it looking clear and fresh. I also make sure to keep little moist towelettes in the car for a post-workout wash (shout out to Neutrogena Makeup Wipes) and wash my face before bed.

And then I apply eye cream because that meme showing the tanning sticker said that if I knew what it was it was time for some eye cream, so here I am.

 

If you have any questions or you would like to be a guest blogger, please email us at blog@liftingthedream.com

 

What is your favorite way to keep your skin healthy alongside a workout regime?

 

Malia is the force behind Lifting the Dream and a proud mompreneur. When she's not lifting heavy weights, she's probably at the beach or Disney with her family. She is a Cali girl born and raised, with salt water in her veins and sunshine in her heart. She and her family now reside in Florida soaking up the sun, heat, and all the amazing outdoor activities this state has to offer.