Why A Morning Workout Skincare Routine Is Essential (And How To Do It)

You set your alarm, crawled out of bed and had your standard fight with your sports bra. You’re ready to sweat it out and get your fitness on, but wait – have you thought about your pre and post-morning workout skincare routine? 

I am so sorry to do this to you, after the effort you put in to get up early before the kids, but trust me, taking a few minutes to show your skin some love can make a BIG difference in how fresh that post-exercise glow really looks!

After all, no one, let alone busy mums, has time for a full 10-step Korean skin care routine when you’ve got a morning gym session to get to and miles to run before the kids get up!

Skincare and exercise are two things in my life I’m fairly evangelical (and no doubt, annoying!) about, but I’m embarrassed to say, for a skincare lover I can be downright neglectful with my skin when it comes to my exercise (more on that later!).

I figured I ought to write about how exercise affects the skin, positively and negatively so you don’t make the same mistakes as me.

So grab your water bottle and let’s talk everything from cleansing to hydrating. I’ve got you covered with pro tips to help you treat your face right before and after your workout.

I’ll also dish on things like makeup removal, sun protection, and why it’s so important to shower immediately after (here’s a hint – it rhymes with shmacne). 

Working out is fab for your body AND your skin thanks to all that increased circulation. But keeping a solid morning workout skincare routine in place takes it to the next level for a healthy, radiant complexion. Let’s take your morning skin routine up a notch!

If you don’t have time to read this post right now, why not save it for later?

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What Are The Benefits of Exercise for Our Skin?

Let’s kick this off with a bit about how amazing exercise is! I was going to end that sentence by saying “for the skin”, but decided to leave it as I did……because it just is awesome, and as I say, I’m evangelical/annoying about it.

Consider just a handful of these “bests”. Exercise is:

1. the best weight loss treatment
2. the best blood pressure treatment
3. the best respiratory treatment
4. the best immunity treatment
5. the best stress-reducer
6. the best anti-depressant and anti-anxiety treatment
7. the best insomnia treatment
8. the best anti-dementia treatment
9. the anti-carcinogenic

These are just the main ones……..the list goes on. If there is any one thing out there that does all of these……I want to know what it is!

As it happens, we now know we can add to this list that it is a bloody good anti-ageing skincare treatment. Yes, I’m hearing the Hallelujah Chorus too!

So, with that in mind, what are the benefits of exercise on the skin?

Exercise Reduces Stress On Our Skin

We know that exercise can help fight stress, which when chronic, can worsen skin conditions like acne and psoriasis. 

This is because stress causes the release of hormones like cortisol that trigger excess oil production, inflammation, and other changes. By lowering cortisol, exercise calms the skin and prevents stress-induced flare-ups. 

Exercise Increases Blood Flow

One of the main ways exercise improves skin is by increasing blood circulation. When we exercise, our heart rate rises and more blood pumps throughout the body and to the skin.

Endurance and high-intensity aerobic training enhance blood flow and this boost in circulation delivers more oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, supporting collagen production and skin renewal. 

Additionally, the extra circulation whisks away inflammatory wastes and toxins from skin cells that can cause damage. 

Why Should You Exercise With Clean Skin?

Before I get into the nitty-gritty of what to do with your morning workout skincare, I just wanted to mention why having clean skin is so important when exercising.

Physical activity, such as exercise, results in vasodilation where vessels widen, and more blood, oxygen and nutrients go to the skin. The pores open, allowing for natural functions like the regulation of oils and toxins and a pre workout skin care routine supports all these processes.

Not cleansing before exercise poses a risk of clogging your pores with sweat, oils, dirt, and residual makeup – frankly whatever is sitting on your skin.

When you exercise with all of this buildup, the sweat mixes with the gunk on your skin and can clog pores leading to breakouts. The bacteria, sebum, and dead cells get trapped inside pores and create the ideal environment for spots. 

Clean skin also helps maintain a balanced level of hydration during exercise. Excessive washing during or after exercise may strip the skin of natural oils, but a clean surface supports the skin’s ability to retain moisture appropriately. 

Related posts:
– KIEHL’S ULTRA FACIAL CLEANSER REVIEW: HOW TO ACHIEVE FRESH, CLEAN SKIN

How Do You Do A Pre-Morning Workout Skincare Routine?

The good news is your pre-morning workout skincare routine might very well be very quick and easy but with some provisos: 

Ensure You Have Cleansed Skin

• Provided you did a proper nighttime skin routine the night before, you can skip cleansing pre workout if you’re hopping straight into exercise from getting up. Your skin will start the morning fresh, free of excess oil, sweat, and dirt buildup.

• Washing too soon can dry out and irritate the skin by stripping natural oils and potentially damaging the skin barrier, so it may be better to wait until after your workout. 

• If your skin gets very oily overnight, consider just rinsing with lukewarm water to avoid the over-cleansing. Splashing your face with water will be enough to remove any sweat or light debris accumulated as you sleep (with the added benefit of waking you up!)

• If you didn’t cleanse the prior evening (I mean, life happens, right!?) a proper cleanser may be necessary before your workout.

• Please don’t bother with doing your full morning skincare routine. As I said, overcleansing is not good for your skin and any other treatments you use will be sweated off.

Apply Broad Spectrum SPF 30+ Sunscreen If Exercising Outdoors

• You may not need to cleanse your face, but if you’ll be sweating it out outdoors, it’s crucial to apply sunscreen before you head out. Even on cloudy days, in the winter or first thing in the morning, harmful UV rays can damage exposed skin. 

• It is recommended to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Reapply every two hours if you’ll be exercising for an extended period. 

• Looking for a sunscreen that is labelled as sweat or water-resistant is vital, and outdoor sports sunscreens are formulated to hold up better through activities like running and swimming. 

• I’m afraid you will need to factor into your timing, allowing 30 minutes for the SPF to sink in before getting out into the daylight…..if you are using chemical sunscreen that is. If you use mineral sunscreen, however, it works immediately as it works as a block.

• The sunscreen should go on any areas that will be exposed like your face, ears, neck, chest, and back of the neck. The back of the neck often gets missed and is where you may first notice signs of sun damage like discolouration in your 30s and 40s. 

• Don’t forget your lips. They can get dry and sun damaged while exercising outside, so use an SPF lip balm too

• With indoor activities in a room with windows, you still need protection since visible light can still contribute to ageing through glass. This is something I get away with as I exercise in my windowless garage!

• If you are getting up before the sun, this may not be needed regardless of the windows.

Related posts:
– SHINING A LIGHT ON THE PROS AND CONS OF MINERAL SUNSCREEN YOU NEED TO KNOW
– HOW TO APPLY MINERAL SUNSCREEN WITHOUT A WHITE CAST

Don’t Apply Heavy Moisturisers Or Makeup

• If you decide you do want to do some pre-morning workout skincare, it’s best to avoid slathering on thick moisturisers. 

• Heavy creams and ointments can form an occlusive layer on the skin that prevents sweat from evaporating properly. This occlusion effect leads to clogged pores, irritation, and acne breakouts. 

• Besides clogging issues, most moisturisers and cosmetics aren’t designed to withstand high heat and humidity. 

• It’s better to apply a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser or serum before your workout to provide basic hydration without the pore-clogging effects. 

• Save the makeup application for after your post-workout shower and full morning skincare routine. Just don’t bother with the makeup at all before your exercise – it’s just not worth it!
  
  Not only is it better for your skin but going makeup-free also reduces the risk of products irritating your eyes or sweating into your contacts during exercise.

• If you want you could spritz your skin with a hydrating facial mist mid-exercise. This will give you the benefit of cooling your skin down and reducing the sweat, but also hydrate and nourish your skin with beneficial ingredients when the pores are wide open. 

Be Extra Careful If You Suffer From Eczema Or Psoriasis 

• Exercise can be a significant challenge for those who struggle with Eczema or Psoriasis and flare-ups can occur from the salt in the sweat. 

• It is especially important in this circumstance to apply moisturiser to the areas of your body you know are a problem. Classically this tends to be any skin creases or folds.

• Ideally, exercise in a cool environment to reduce sweating, and that may even reduce the need for a shower as well. If you struggle with these disorders, you will know that overwashing can cause dryness and exacerbate eczema and psoriasis.

• Despite exercise being a challenge, don’t ever consider not exercising just to avoid flare-ups. An overall improvement in health can see a long-term improvement in the condition. 
  
  

Why Should You Have A Post Morning Workout Skincare Routine?

Next up are the post-morning workout skincare tips, but before I go into that, just a quick mention of why this is so important.

As we know, sweat, oil, bacteria and dirt build up on our skin during a workout which can get trapped in our open pores if not washed away.

Prolonged exposure to sweat on the skin after working out can exacerbate conditions like eczema, and rosacea and cause general irritation that damages the skin barrier. Cleansing quickly with cool water after sweat removes this potential irritant.

A post workout skincare routine prevents the spread of bacteria from shared gym equipment/environments. Working out in gyms exposes your skin to sweat and bacteria from other people (I bet you wish I’d not put this in your mind!).

Thoroughly cleansing your skin after reduces the risk of spreading these germs that could infect the skin.

Lastly, the good news is a post-morning workout skincare regime is the ideal time to optimise product absorption. The open pores from sweating allow for deeper cleansing of debris and increased absorption of skincare products applied afterwards.

Related posts:
– SKINCARE FOR MOMS: 15 OF THE BEST MULTI PURPOSE PRODUCTS

How Do You Do A Post-Morning Workout Skincare Routine?

We know that we should be getting a post workout skin care regime in  after we’ve exercised as soon as we’re able to, but here are some extra tips on what more we can do to support our skin:

Shower And Wash Your Face With A Gentle Cleanser

• Use lukewarm water, as hot showers can be drying and irritating. There is a lot of to-ing and fro-ing about cold showers either being the best thing since squeezy marmite or as useful as screen doors on a submarine.
  
  I’m not going to spend a minute longer on this subject, when I clearly don’t know much about it, and just say make the water lukewarm!

• When it comes to your face, I’m sure you’re aware we shouldn’t be cleansing in the shower due to the higher heat levels. In this circumstance, however, the lukewarm shower you’re having post-exercise will probably be fine for the face, but just don’t get into the habit!

• Pat your face dry: don’t rub it with a towel. Your skin is already irritated and red from the sweat and exertion so don’t make it worse!

Use Salicylic Acid If Prone To Breakouts

• If you tend to get breakouts from exercising, it’s a good idea to use a product containing salicylic acid as part of your post-morning workout skincare routine.
  
  After a sweaty workout, your pores are wide open, making it an optimal time to use salicylic acid and if used properly, salicylic acid keeps pores clear and skin blemish-free even with frequent workouts.

• Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that helps dissolve and sweep away dead skin cells and excess sebum that clog pores. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness and bacteria in pores as well. 

• Look for a gentle cleanser, toner, or chemical exfoliant containing this ingredient and apply it soon after exercising. Concentrations of 0.5-2% are ideal.
  
  The salicylic acid will penetrate deeply into pores to clear out any trapped dirt, makeup, oils, and sweat before they can form pimples. 

• Just don’t overdo it, as too much can dry out your skin. 

Apply A Lightweight Moisturiser To Your Face

• It’s important to replenish moisture after a workout to counteract the drying effects of sweat and cleansing. Look for a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser that won’t clog pores but still leaves a smooth, hydrated finish. 

• Gel or water-based formulas are ideal for post-workout since they provide hydration without heaviness. Just avoid rich creams or ointments which can sit on top of the skin and set the stage for breakouts. 

• After cleansing post-workout, your pores are open and will readily absorb moisturising ingredients so take advantage of this increased absorption by applying serums before your moisturiser.
  
  The open pores also allow products with reparative ingredients like ceramides and peptides to better penetrate. 

Related posts:
– KIEHL’S ULTRA FACIAL CREAM REVIEW – THE RAW TRUTH ABOUT THIS POPULAR MOISTURISER

Change Out Of Sweaty Clothes Immediately

• It’s important to change out of our sweat-soaked workout clothes right after we’re done exercising.
  
  The warm, humid environment created next to our skin is ideal for bacterial growth and leaving on sweaty gym clothes allows odour-causing bacteria to multiply rapidly. Nice!!

• The bacteria on your sweaty skin and clothes can also lead to body breakouts on the back, chest, and other areas. Tight, synthetic workout gear traps heat and sweat against your skin, exacerbating the problem.
  
  If you’re not jumping straight into the shower, after your cooldown stretches, immediately change into loose, breathable fabrics that allow your skin to air out and dry.

• Put sweaty workout clothes directly into the laundry rather than letting them sit around. If you do experience body acne, look for acne-fighting body washes containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. 

Stay Hydrated

• Hydration is not just important during your exercise, but also after – even your skin can suffer without it. 

• Sweating leads to lowered fluid levels, and potential dehydration if you don’t replenish, but drinking plenty of water keeps your skin cells functioning properly and avoids dryness. Dehydrated skin becomes prone to sensitivity, irritation, fine lines, and dullness.

• Opt for cool rather than icy cold water after a workout, as extreme temperatures can shock the digestive system. Room-temperature water is also great for rehydration.

 Additional Skincare and Exercise Tips

In addition to your pre- and post-morning workout skincare routines, there are other habits that can keep our skin healthy:

• It’s important to use a fresh, clean workout towel each time you exercise to avoid transferring bacteria and oils back onto your skin.
  
  Towels harbour bacteria, dead skin cells and dirt that can clog pores and cause breakouts. If you reuse the same sweaty towel, those impurities get deposited back onto your face and body each time you wipe away sweat. 

• Washing your hands thoroughly before touching your face is an important hygiene step when working out, particularly at a public location.
  
  Gyms contain shared equipment and surfaces teeming with bacteria and viruses. A gym in the morning you would think would be much cleaner than later in the day, but don’t take the chance.
  
  When you use a bench, weights, mats, or other communal items then mindlessly touch your face, those germs transfer onto your skin and can cause infections. 

• Choose loose, breathable fabrics when dressing for your workouts. Tight, synthetic athletic wear can trap heat and sweat against your skin, leading to body acne and clogged pores.
  
  Materials like cotton and linen allow sweat to evaporate rather than pooling next to your skin. The airflow circulation keeps your skin drier and prevents the warm, moist environment where bacteria thrive. 
  
  The looser fits also rub less against your skin during repetitive motions, reducing friction and irritation.
  
  
• If you simply don’t have time to have a shower straight after exercise there are a handful of things you can do to get around the problem, at least until you can find that time.
  
  Firstly dry off any sweat using that clean dry towel. That’s one less thing that can clog your pores
  
  You could consider cleaning your skin with post-workout cleansing body wipes that are safe for the skin – go for the areas that get particularly sweaty! 
  
  I would recommend you don’t use them on your face though as a lot of them contain alcohol. Hunt out wipes specifically made for the face that don’t contain alcohol. Cleansing wipes for your face will work a treat too.
  
  As already mentioned just changing your clothing into something looser and more breathable will work wonders.
  
  Going to the gym in the morning takes a lot of prep so get yourself ready the night before. Perhaps have yourself a gym skin care bag that’s always ready to be grabbed last minute?
  
  
• Finally, just a mention about an evening workout skincare routine. I’m sure it will come as no surprise for you to read that you should clean your face before you exercise, whether you have worn makeup or not (but especially with makeup!). 
  
  Throughout the day, dirt, oil, pollutants, and other debris accumulate on your face even if you can’t see it and you should have a clear complexion before you start that workout.
  
  Oil-based, long-wearing makeup products tend to be the most pore-clogging when mixed with sweat.
  
  Use a gentle makeup remover (the wipes would be perfect if you’re at the gym) or micellar water to thoroughly dissolve and wipe away all traces of foundation, concealer, powder, blush, and waterproof mascara, and double cleanse if you think it’s necessary.
  

Keeping It Real As A Mum

Before wrapping this post up, I just wanted to take us back to the reality of being a mum.

I can tell you straight up though, as a lover of skincare armed with all of this knowledge, I am far from doing everything I have advised here…….and I’m ok with that

I am blessed to have a morning workout, thanks to my youngest having big brothers around with him while I’m on the cross trainer, but the reality of a normal chaotic morning means I rarely have time to do anything other than jump straight into the car and take him to school once I finish.

There is no washing the sweat off my face or changing my clothes. Sometimes you could find me a few hours later working at my desk still in my workout gear as the cat or dog caused me extra work when back from the school run. That’s life with a family of all species!

And as for washing my workout gear every time it’s used…..forget it! There isn’t always space in the washing machine for all of our clothes and there’s no way I’m doing another load for just a few items of clothing. Want to guess what clothes don’t make it? That’s right my workout gear!

Yes, I would love to have this perfect skincare regime that I’ve discussed here, but the reality is it’s just not going to happen, but the exercise will. Perfection is the enemy of good, and I’m not about to lose out on my good exercise routine because I can’t have a perfect skincare routine with it.

I encourage everyone reading this to prioritise your exercise over a perfect skincare regime too. Yes our skin will appreciate you following the gold standard laid out here, but it can cope without it.

Anyway, I’m quite sure if you are reading this, you are rather partial to a good skin pamper, so I’m sure it’s not feeling neglected!

Our body appreciates more the love you give it through exercise!

Just in case you would find it interesting, here is a post on my evening routine. Vital for me to set up my exercise routine the next morning.

Related posts:
– UNRAVELING AND RESOLVING THE HIDDEN BARRIERS TO SELF-CARE BLISS
– PRIORITISING SELF-CARE – 23 UNIQUE WAYS FOR ‘ME TIME’ AS A MUM

So, we’ve covered a lot of ground when it comes to keeping your skin glowing and your workout routine flowing! There is a lot of confusion about skincare before or after morning workout so hopefully this has helped answer some questions.

Just remember – even though I laid out an ideal pre and post-morning workout skincare routine, please don’t beat yourself up if you can’t follow it perfectly. As busy moms, we have to prioritize and not stress over the small stuff, and that includes morning skin care routines.

Give your body the gift of regular exercise and your skin will thank you, regardless of how you manage your pre and post workout skincare.

Whenever I find myself stressing that my workout clothes are heading back into the drawer un-washed, I just remind myself that my body appreciates the movement wayyyyyy more than my sports bra cares about smelling a little ripe. 

At the end of the day, do what works for your lifestyle and don’t sacrifice self-care for an unrealistic standard of perfection. Chase those endorphins, break a sweat, and shower off that glorious workout glow when you can.

I’m off now to have a shower!!