Exercising offers incredible benefits for both the mind and body — even for your skin. According to experts, when it’s paired with a few pre- and post-workout skincare steps, a good sweat session can help detoxify your skin and leave you with a natural, healthy glow.
“Exercise is great for the skin because it boosts blood flow and oxygen, which in turn supports collagen production, which can keep you looking youthful,” says Joee Nelson, a master esthetician at LifeSpa in Eden Prairie, Minn. “A few quick skincare steps before and after your workout can help you make the most of these benefits.”
Ahead, Nelson shares her top dos and don’ts for pre- and post-workout skincare.
Pre-Workout Skincare
Start with clean skin.
It’s best to cleanse your skin before working out, according to Nelson. If you don’t want to carry a facial cleanser with you, cleansing wipes are a great alternative.
“This will remove any face makeup, dirt, oil, and dead skin cells,” she explains. “Sweating while wearing heavy makeup can suffocate the skin and lead to sensitivity, irritation, or breakouts. When sweat mixes with bacteria, dead skin cells, and oils on your skin, it can clog pores and trigger these reactions, especially if it sits on your skin too long.”
Eye makeup (mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow) and lip products can stay, according to Nelson, as they’re not typically applied to breakout-prone areas like your cheeks, forehead, or chin.
“These products also aren’t affected by sweat in the same way as face makeup — though they might smudge if you’re doing an intense workout,” Nelson explains. “If you’re worried about looking put together, eye and lip makeup can be a nice balance without compromising your skin health.”
If you’re working out first thing in the morning and your skin was cleansed the night before, simply rinse your face with water,” Nelson adds. “Your face is likely still relatively clean — especially if you haven’t sweat or applied any makeup products. Cleansing in the morning can also strip the skin’s natural oils and disrupt the skin barrier, which can lead to dryness, irritation, or even trigger more oil production as a rebound effect.”
Nelson only recommends cleansing in the morning if you have oily skin. “Oily skin types tend to produce more sebum overnight, which can mix with dead skin cells and bacteria on the surface. A gentle morning cleanse helps remove that excess oil to prevent clogged pores and prep the skin for the workout.”
Next, apply your favorite moisturizer or moisturizing SPF.
Moisturizers help maintain your skin’s hydration level, which can get disrupted when you sweat a lot. Sweat contains sodium, which can be dehydrating and irritating if left on bare, unprotected skin.
“Personally, I love working out with a tinted SPF on my face, as well as mascara and lip gloss. A tinted SPF like Revision Intellishade both hydrates and protects your skin from environmental damage without clogging your pores.”
Nelson also notes that serums are fine to apply before a workout if desired, but she personally saves other skincare products for after her workout.
Don’t skip SPF — even if you work out indoors.
SPF is a non-negotiable, according to Nelson. “Regular sun protection as part of your skincare routine helps prevent wrinkles and age spots caused by UV damage,” she says. “This is a must for both indoor and outdoor workouts. Health clubs and workout facilities often have large windows where UV rays and sunlight can still affect your skin,” she says.
Post-Workout Skincare
During your workout and immediately after, it’s important to avoid touching your face to prevent transferring bacteria and sweat that could clog pores.
Once your workout is complete, cleanse your face right away.
As soon as you’ve finished exercising, wash your hands and then cleanse your face, advises Nelson. “Don’t wait longer than 30 minutes as leaving sweat on your face for hours post-workout can clog pores, leading to breakouts and skin sensitivity,” she explains.
“Sweat is mostly water, but it also contains salt, which can be drying and irritating. It also contains proteins and toxins that can mix with skin debris and cause issues. When sweat mixes with your natural oils (sebum) and dead skin sitting on the surface, it creates a film that can settle into your pores.”
For the post-workout cleanse, Nelson recommends using a gentle cleanser since there is no makeup to remove; this will remove sweat and oils without drying out the skin. “I like using the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex,” Nelson adds. “This gentle gel cleanser effectively removes oil and impurities without irritating your skin. You can also use cleansing wipes if that’s easier for you.”
Once your skin is cleansed, re-apply your moisturizer, SPF, and any other products or makeup you use if you’re getting ready for the day. If it’s a nighttime workout, simply cleanse and apply your evening skincare regimen.
Avoid exfoliating your skin.
Increased blood flow from exercise can lead to skin sensitivity post-workout, so it’s important to avoid exfoliating immediately after a workout, according to Nelson.
“Save exfoliation for your nighttime routine, or at least a few hours after your workout, to give your skin time to recover,” she says. “Plus, exfoliating at night supports your skin’s natural process of removing dead skin cells and making room for fresh, healthy cells to rise to the surface.”
Use products suited to your skin type.
For both your pre- and post-workout skincare routine, it’s important to use products suited for your skin type — dry, oily, or sensitive.
“If you’re unsure of your skin type, consider making an appointment with an esthetician to learn more about your skin and what products might work best for you,” Nelson advises.
