4 Skincare Mistakes You’re Making When You Workout
You made the effort. You went to the gym. You went for a jog. You did that home workout video. You hydrated. You even remembered to stretch! Great job! We see you out there trying your best to stay healthy and get fit and we know it’s not easy! You’re doing great, but while you’re focused on your aerobic and muscular fitness you may be overlooking one very important organ of your body…your skin! The skin is the largest organ of the body and it shouldn't be neglected.
Let’s start with the basics. What is sweat?
Sweat is the body’s release of moisture (99% water) through the sweat glands in the epidermis of your skin to help regulate body temperature and cool you down naturally as it evaporates. When you’re working out, your internal body temperature is raised from the effort exuded during exercise and your brain’s natural reaction is to signal the sweat glands to produce more sweat to cool you down. While the main function is to cool you down, sweating can also help your body remove toxins and other impurities from your pores. The good news is that exercise and sweating is great for your body and overall skin health as long you take care of your skin before, during and after your workout. (The bad news is we know that’s not always the case).
Here are 4 mistakes you might be making while you work out that are ruining your skin.
1. You’re wearing makeup.
Maybe you squeeze in a workout on your lunch break, or you workout at the end of a long workday, or maybe you workout first thing in the morning but you put on a little makeup to catch the eye of that cute guy in your spinning class. Whatever the reason, wearing makeup while you work out is a big no-no. Exercising naturally increases your body temperature which in turn makes your body sweat more and makeup and excessive skincare products can clog your pores and cause bacteria from your skin to build up and cause acne breakouts. Removing your makeup before working out can help keep your skin clean and clear from blemishes. Using Kubwipes 100% Natural Cotton Dry Wipes before your workout will help remove your makeup and clean your skin so you’re less likely to have any skin issues post-workout.
2. You’re touching your face.
It’s only natural. You get a scratch, you start to sweat and touch your face. Not only is this a bad idea for your skin but also for your overall health. Even if you washed your hands or used sanitizing gel before starting your workout, maybe that guy over there didn’t.😬Then he touched the weights you’re using, and the treadmill screen, and then coughed in his hand and touched the spray bottle handle for wiping down materials…you get the idea. We all know how bacteria and viruses spread and touching your face while working out is what can cause bacteria to get into your pores and give you acne breakouts or even make you sick. Just keep your hands off and if you get an itch, use your shirt or a cotton wipe to touch your face.
3. You’re using a dirty towel.
When was the last time you washed your gym towel? If you didn’t grab a fresh one before this workout then the answer is too long. Towels are notorious for collecting moisture and breeding bacteria which directly contributes to skin breakouts. Even if your towel is fresh, the purity and hygiene are still debatable. Is there chemical residue from detergents, bleach and fabric softeners on it? Who knows?! Using clean, fresh, disposable and pure 100% Natural Cotton Dry Wipes from Kubwipes will help absorb excess sweat, dirt, and grime from your skin and keep your pores free and clear to help you avoid breakouts and other skin irritations. The ultrasoft cotton caresses even the most sensitive skin, and you can rest assured that every wipe is clean and pure. Bonus...they're disposable and biodegradable so you don't have any smelly towels lying around until the next time you do laundry!
4. You’re not cleansing immediately post-workout.
Maybe your workout was light and you feel like you don’t need (or don’t have time) for a full shower before getting on with your day, so you mop off the sweat with a towel, swipe on some deodorant, change your clothes and get on with it. You’ll shower tonight, no biggie. Girl, we need to talk. We already mentioned that sweat is made up of 99% water, but the other 1% contains salt, oils, dirt, dead skin cells and other impurities your body attempts to eliminate through your pores. By letting sweat dry on your skin, the impurities and toxins released through your pores sit on your skin causing irritation and odor, and can even be reabsorbed causing blocked pores and nasty breakouts. Make sure to gently blot away sweat throughout your workout with a clean 100% Cotton Dry Wipe and cleanse properly post workout to avoid acne breakouts and skin problems. Kubwipes 100% Natural Cotton Dry Wipes are the perfect wipes to take with you on the go to cleanse your skin from anywhere and our cute Mini Box is the perfect size to throw in your gym bag to replace your dirty gym towel.
So, what can you do about it?
The best thing to help improve your skin health is stay vigilent throughout your workout. Make sure you’re constantly drinking water to replenish the moisture loss from sweating and help your body clear any unwanted toxins. Make sure to always wear breathable fabrics like cotton or linen and sweat-wicking materials specially made for sports and fitness. Ensure that clothes are loose-fitting and non-constricting. It’s also a good idea to use gentle detergents and natural fabric softeners so no chemical residue rubs against and irritates your hot skin causing irritation and eruptions. Don’t touch your face! Remove makeup before your workout and do a thorough facial cleanse post workout. Finally, throw in the towel and make the switch to clean and hygienic, ultrasoft, 100% Natural Cotton Dry Wipes by Kubwipes. Our multipurpose wipes will help you remove makeup, absorb sweat, and cleanse your face to give you that post workout glow you’re working for. Go on and give them a try and see the difference in your skin health!
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