THE JOURNAL
Three ways to keep you skin in good condition, as well as your body.
Working up a sweat is a satisfying sign of a proper workout, and it can be a healthy activity for your skin, too. Along with the electrolytes and salt that come out of our pores when we sweat (bear with us for the science bit) is an antimicrobial peptide called dermcidin, which, rather cleverly, fights bacteria. When it mixes with dead skin cells and sebum, though, it can clog pores and cause all manner of skin problems, such as acne.
With this in mind, we’ve crafted a short and simple post-gym skincare routine to keep you looking your best. Because when you turn the treadmill off and drop the dumbbells, it’s time to turn attention to your face. It’d be a shame to waste all that hard work.
The scrub
You may give the punch bag a pounding at the gym, but a gentler approach is needed when using your face scrub. Avoid applying a coarse exfoliant to sensitive post-workout skin. NYDG Colloidal Oatmeal Cleanser is appropriately gentle. It’s made from natural ingredients including finely milled oatmeal and camomile, which is known for its skin-calming properties. It’s also packed with hydrating vitamin E, which will help restore moisture to dried-out skin (the salt in sweat leaches the skin of its natural moisture), while antioxidant-rich green tea extract has anti-ageing benefits.
The moisturiser
Not only does a good moisturiser keep you looking fresher and younger, it acts as a barrier to stop cleansed skin getting clogged and irritated by all the nasty particles you tend to waft through in the course of a working day. Think of it like applying a final protective coat of wax to your car. After the sweat from your workout has been cleaned off, your skin will be in danger of drying out, so a replenishing moisturiser is crucial to keep it in good nick. The Lost Explorer Everyday Face Moisturizer is a lightweight formulation with hydrating and anti-ageing properties, thanks to ingredients such as samphire and hydroxyproline, as well as agave, which protects against pollution and UV damage.
The eye refresher
The skin surrounding your eyes is by far the thinnest on your face, so it should come as no surprise that signs of wear and tear tend to show up in this area before they do anywhere else. Working out and allowing your body to dehydrate can culminate in dark circles, puffiness and fine lines. Using a product that tackles all three, such as Dr Sebagh De-Puff Eye Treatment, will perk up your eye area and allow you to maintain that post-workout glow for a little longer.
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