6 Post Workout Skincare Products To Add To Your Gym Bag

Regular gym buddy? Training for a marathon? Love a game of weekend tennis? Whatever your workout game is, looking after your skin post-exercise is a must if you want to keep your skin protected and less prone to breaking out. Read on to discover the after workout skincare products our skin experts recommend to add into your gym bag...

How does regular exercise affect my skin?

Moving your body and exercising is undoubtedly beneficial for your physical and mental health. The increase in blood circulation actually encourages more oxygen to your skin which in turn helps you naturally produce more collagen for anti-ageing benefits and glowing skin. There are, however, certain harmful factors for your skin when it comes to working out. The main ones include:

• Excess sweat clogs your pores and creates breakouts, especially if you already have acne-prone skin.  
• Overheating leads to a rise in skin temperature which aggravates sensitive skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea. 
• Sun damage occurs if you exercise outdoors for a long period of time - especially if all your SPF has sweated off. 
• Additional bacteria in shared workout places like gyms leads to potential breakouts. 

1. Ultrasun Sports Spray SPF 30

Ultrasun's Sports range offers water-resistant sunscreen that's super lightweight and long-lasting for outdoor use. The transparent sun protection spray boasts UVA and UVB protection and is infused with antioxidants for further protection from free radicals. Its nozzle sprays evenly at all angles and provides an even mist that quickly absorbs into your skin. If you've been exercising outdoors, it's likely that most of your sunscreen has sweated off, so you should always make sure that you re-apply SPF during or after your workout. This SPF mist takes a matter of seconds to apply so even if you are exhausted after your workout, you will always be able to muster up the energy to re-apply time after time. 

2. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

News alert: you should never work out with your makeup on. If you really, really need to, make sure it's non-comedogenic. If you exercise properly, your makeup will only end up half way down your face anyway! As part of your post-workout routine, our skin experts recommend that you give your skin a quick cleanse in order to remove any build up of sweat and impurities from your workout. The CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser has become somewhat an icon in the industry for its simple yet effective formula and makes an ideal post workout face wash. All you need is one pump of its moisturising formulation and a splash of water to regain a clean, fresh complexion. It's also charged with 3 essential ceramides to protect your skin's barrier and everybody's favourite Hyaluronic Acid to help boost hydration levels. 

3. Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick SPF 50

If you're usually on the move during your exercise regime, this compact Sport Stick will fit into your pocket with ease and offers SPF 50 protection from harmful UV rays. Top up your protection during or after getting your sweat on by simply gliding the gel stick across your skin for instant coverage. As well as being water resistant for up to eighty minutes, the Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick's formula is packed with 13.5% Zinc Oxide which physically sits on the top of your skin's surface and blocks damaging UV rays. Their patented Enviroscreen technology also protects your skin from against pollution, HEV light, and infrared radiation.

4. Bioderma Sébium H2O Micellar Water Purifying Cleansing Make-Up Remover for Combination to Oily Skin

If you exercise in the morning before work (and you're in a rush) or you just prefer an ultra quick solution, a decent micellar water solves all your post-workout cleansing problems. With no need for rinsing, BIODERMA Sébium H2O Micellar Water Combination To Oily Skin effortlessly and effectively cleanses the complexion whilst maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier and keeping the skin optimally balanced. Created for combination to oily skin, the gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser eliminates excess sebum, prevents blemishes, and purifies the skin.

5. Dermalogica Ultracalming Mist

If you do have sensitive skin and find that your skin gets irritated when you work out, a calming mist is the ideal go-to product to have by your side for your cool down. A cooling spray will also help to relieve skin conditions like rosacea and eczema, especially if it is further aggravated by exercise. The Dermalogica Ultracalming Mist is charged with Oat and botanicals to soothe and strengthen and Aloe Vera to provide a cooling sensation and support the natural moisture balance in your skin. Spritz this fine mist over your face and neck and leave to naturally dry for optimum results. 

6. Jane Iredale Dream Tint  

If your complexion does turn very flushed after you work out or you just prefer to have a bit of coverage when you leave the gym, a tinted SPF moisturiser is your perfect post-workout friend. The Jane Iredale Dream Tint boasts an SPF 15 and medium UVA protection whilst providing a beautifully radiant finish that'll only enhance your after workout glow. It is also oil-free and formulated with lightweight minerals so you can wear it all day long without any discomfort. This light-shimmering tinted moisturiser is formulated in 7 shades to suit all skin types and is super compact to slot into any workout bag or pocket.