Sweat Your Way To Healthy Skin

Trying to figure out how that girl three cubicles down maintains her dewey illumines skin as if she’s 10 and not 30? I know how. She be sweatin’ on a reg (new rap song dropping in the spring). No really, drugstores don’t sell this beauty secret ladies so lace up and read on to find out how you can sweat your way to healthy glowing skin.

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Your Skin On Sweat? Sweating is not only important for maintaining proper temperature but is also important for cleansing. When we sweat our bodies release various toxins, and some of these toxins can only be eliminated through the skin (which by the way is your single largest organ). And when those toxins exit our pores healthy skin makes it’s entrance. Wallah!

Drink To This. Sweat is made up of close to 95 percent water and actually accounts for about 10 percent of the water that your body loses on any given day. So the more you sweat the more water you must drink. Think, one to two hours before your workout, drink 15 to 20 ounces of water; 15 minutes before you begin, 8 to 10 ounces; and during your workout, another 8 ounces every 15 minutes/or as needed. Don’t drink too much though. All that fluid rumbling around in your belly during jumping jacks can easily come back up and end up on the gym floor. Yuk!

Be Gentle So know that your pores are open and clear of toxins the most important thing to remember is that they are well “open.” With that said stick to fragrance-free and sensitive skin based products immediately after your sweat session. The last thing you want to do is clog those pores back up with heavy beauty products and perfumes. My go to product is Cetaphil. Super gentle and super (yet light) moisturizing. Another key step is exfoliation. Not every day though as this can aggravate the skin too. An easy and inexpensive way to turn any cleanser into an exfoliator is to add a little baking soda to it. I do this all the time so try it.

Makeup A New Makeup Regimen If you must wear makeup to the gym (no judgement, I do) make sure it is the right makeup. Avoid thick, oily foundations (think solid compacts) and go for water-based foundations or mineral makeup (think oil free tinted moisturizer…my fav: Laura Mercier). And most importantly, when you’re done sweating it up clean it up and wash off all excess makeup, sweat, and dirt immediately. The sooner the better.

Strip Fast And lastly, while you are speed cleansing your pretty little face get them clothes off already! While many workout gear is now moisture wicking friendly the sweat that has gathered in the crotch of your leggings (or anywhere else) can cause an infection or rash if left to sit and fester. So strip down, hit the showers and get clean pronto. Oh and while you are on the gym floor getting it in be sure to have a towel handy so you can Beyonce pat often. Key word, pat. Don’t wipe cause this just spreads the sweat all over the place. Purpose defeated.

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