My Pre AND Post-Workout Skincare Tips to Avoid Breakouts

As you guys know, I love my workouts. But sweating regularly can wreak havoc on your skin – especially when you’re out in freezing temps before and after! I’ve gotten a few questions from people who find themselves breaking out when they hit the gym a lot – and I’ve been there! During yoga teacher training, I had major skin issues. For the first time in my life, I was embarrassed and frustrated with acne… so if you’re going through that, I FEEL YOU.

Here’s what I did! First, I started varying my class routine so I wasn’t in a very heated room every time I worked out. Second, I got a few facials at Bliss Spa – the best reset for your skin EVER. I recommend listening to advice from your esthetician, because that’s how I found out about Dr. Dennis Gross Anti Acne Pads (aka what I call “magic pads” ? ). And third, I started reading pre and post-workout skincare tips… and taking them seriously.

The funniest thing about all of that, is that once I got my skin back on track, it’s been smooth sailing ever since! Turns out, those pre and post-workout skincare tips I read about are incredibly easy to implement. Especially since Meijer has SO MANY amazing affordable skincare options in both regular and travel sizes. If your skin-savers are completely within your budget and small enough to fit in your gym back, you really have no excuse!

The first thing I always have in my gym bag is Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes. Meijer has regular and travel size packs. Which makes keeping them in your bag super easy. No matter how much room you have.

When I work from home, I usually just go to my workouts with a clean face. Or minimal makeup. But if I’m going straight from the office or a meeting or a photoshoot, I usually have a full face of makeup on! And when it comes to sweating, especially in a heated yoga room, you have to take at least most of your makeup off beforehand. This excerpt from InStyle explains it really well…

“Makeup forms a barrier on your skin covering your pores, and when working out, your makeup mixes with oil and perspiration, which in turn congests your skin and prevents those pores from being able to release sweat,” she tells InStyle. “When you work out, your pores and sweat glands open up in order to cool down your body—wearing a full face of makeup can block your pores and glands, hindering your skin’s ability to breathe, which in turn can result in breakouts, blackheads and skin irritation.”

Yuck, right?! These wipes make it easy to get that layer off so your skin can breathe easily while you work out!

In addition to the face wipes, I like to have face wash on hand too! I’ll admit, if I can come home straight afterwards to shower, I won’t worry about this as much. But if I have to run errands after, or I’m meeting someone right after barre (because I don’t always get super sweaty in that class), then I wash my face right after class. Not rocket science here – clean skin maintains clear skin!

And of course, deodorant is important! I’ve been loving my Dove Spray On Deodorant, but when I don’t have a lot of space in my bag, this mini stick is SO convenient!

So…. as you can see, this is not a lot of stuff! And thanks to Meijer, it doesn’t cost a fortune or take up a lot of space either! That being said, these SIMPLE steps can be the difference between regular breakouts and clear skin. Once I realized that connection, they are second nature habits to me now!

Do you have any Pre and/or Post-Workout Skincare tips?

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*This post was sponsored by Meijer, but (as always!) all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Lake Shore Lady possible! 

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