Exercise comes with a whole host of benefits, such as increased stamina, strength and mobility, improved cardiovascular health, and mood-boosting endorphins to name but a few. Plus all that increased blood flow keeps our skin glowing- Yay, for sweating out the toxins!

But, for some of us, all that amped-up sweating can leave us prone to post-workout breakouts. Fear not, we’ve got you covered. With a few simple practices, you can keep your skin, happy, healthy, and looking fresh, both during and after your workouts!

This month in our Giddie Skin news we are giving you the clean and everything you need to know on how to avoid the post-workout break out in 4 simple steps.

Always remove makeup before you workout.
Yep, boring, we know, but it’s the number one rule! You all know how important it is to remove your make-up before bed, and this is no different. Sure, we get it. you want to look your best whilst working out, and you might be tempted to think “you’ll sweat it off, so what does it matter?” But when you sweat, your pores open up, and the dirt of the day, mixed with your make-up, dead skin cells, natural skin oils, and sweat create the perfect hotbed for a breakout. So, give your skin a chance to breathe. Girl.Wash.Your.Face.

Use a non-comedogenic sunscreen for outdoor workouts.
Never skimp on sunscreen- it is your skin’s best friend! Look out for Factor 30+, non-comedogenic, oil-free, or “non-pore blocking” formulas that won’t break you out. Remember to reapply if you’re swimming or sweating a lot. Wearing sunscreen (yes, even on cloudy days) means you’ll get critical protection from UV exposure and avoid UV-induced inflammation, which exacerbates acne.

Use a clean towel.
Again, something we can easily dismiss, because, like “I only used this towel once and it’s pretty much clean...” But bacteria thrive in warm, damp environments, so that towel isn’t as clean as you think! So, be sure to use a clean towel to wipe sweat from your skin during workouts, and never use that same towel to wipe down sweaty equipment- you don’t want to be wiping other people’s sweaty gunk on your face!

Shower immediately after your workout.
It’s not only our faces that can break out, all that sweating in tight clothing can sometimes bring on the dreaded bacne or chestne… So, take a shower to keep pores free of dead cells, dirt, and oil. Not only will you be helping your skin keep clean, but you’ll also feel super refreshed! For the extra feel-good factor, if you dare, why not give yourself an invigorating 30-second blast of cold water at the end!?

So, there you have it. Simple, huh? Wash your face, wear sunscreen, use fresh towels, and keep clean- your skin will thank you for it! Happy working out!