How to keep your skin in check post-workout

Whether you love exercise or you see it as a necessary mood-boosting practice, it’s a great way to take care of yourself.

The benefits of a good workout can’t be underestimated; it reduces stress, increases cardiovascular fitness, and can even give your skin a radiant glow. But if you’re not looking after your skin properly post-workout, you could be doing more harm to it than good.

Here, I have the ultimate guide to your post-workout skincare routine so you can reap the complexion-boosting benefits of your sweat sessions.

The right time and ingredients for cleansing

It won’t come as a surprise that your skin needs a thorough cleanse following exercise. Sweat is a sure-fire sign you’ve had a good session, but there has been mixed advice on whether it’s good for your skin and how and when to cleanse yourself of it.

Most of us now know that sweating is beneficial for our skin because it can flush impurities out of our pores. But did you know it could help you fight visible signs of ageing too? Exercising can make the mitochondria in our skin act younger, according to dermatologist Whitney Bowe MD – meaning a collagen boost, better hydration, and as a result, bouncier skin. And we’ve all experienced that unrivalled radiant post-workout glow.

Sweat becomes problematic if it dries on the skin – the impurities that it’s pushed out of your pores can be absorbed right back in. That’s why it’s essential to cleanse immediately after working out. Add an extra pore-cleansing boost by using a cleanser with salicylic acid to dissolve all the gunk that’s come out of your pores. If you have drier skin, choose a silky-textured face wash that gently foams to wash away any dirt and debris while leaving your skin soft and hydrated.

Boost your skin with treatments

Once you’ve purged all the sweat and impurities from your skin, you can use your serums and treatments. Your skin could become red and sensitive temporarily after a workout, so a nourishing treatment will help boost hydration and calm any inflammation or sensitivity.

Look out for ingredients like niacinamide, which can reduce redness in the skin and strengthen your moisture barrier – essential after a workout. As an added bonus, it can reduce the appearance of pores, helping to keep out any other pollutants that might try to work their way in there post-cleanse.

A face mist is another great option for post-workout skin because it can cool your face down while delivering hydrating ingredients that’ll replenish any water lost during your workout. It can also supercharge the rest of your routine, adding an extra layer of hydration that you can lock in with your next step.

Moisturising and protecting

Keeping your post-workout skincare routine simple will not only allow you to freshen up faster, but it’ll also ensure you’re not overwhelming your skin. Moisturiser is an essential step in any routine, but especially a post-exercise one. Sweat contains sodium, which can potentially dry out the surface of your skin. If you have a condition like eczema, sweat can exacerbate it.

You can use your tried-and-trusted moisturiser after working out if it already works for your skin. If you have oily skin, it’s best to stick to a gel texture that won’t overwhelm your post-workout skin. Dry skin will need a rich moisturiser to replenish any lost moisture – and if your skin isn’t overly oily, you might benefit from a cream with a thicker texture after working out to rehydrate your complexion.

If you work out during the day, don’t forget that all-important SPF – if you’ve exercised outdoors then we trust you’ll have applied it before working out. If you’re heading out again after your post-workout cleanse, you’ll need to reapply. Worked out at the gym? Don’t forget to reapply it before you leave.

Don’t forget your body

A lot of skincare advice focuses on our faces, but we can’t forget our bodies – especially after exercise. Make sure you change out of your workout gear as soon as possible. Fitted clothing can trap sweat on our bodies and lead to itching, irritation, and body acne. You should even change out of looser clothing too, so the sweat doesn’t get a chance to dry on our sensitive skin.

If you suffer from body acne, especially post-workout, use a body wash with active ingredients that can tackle the bacteria and sweat that’s causing it – salicylic acid is great at clearing away impurities both on the skin and in your pores, while benzoyl peroxide fights bacteria.

Like your face, your body needs to be rehydrated after a workout. A rich body moisturiser will leave your skin happy – and if you enjoy making the most of your post-workout glow, adding tan drops into it will leave your skin bright and bronzed without streaking or sinking into your pores.

The don’ts of workout skincare

You now know everything you need to do to care for your skin after exercising. But if you’re thinking about adding in a few steps, make sure it isn’t one of the below:

• Using a harsh scrub: facial scrubs often do more harm than good, but harsh scrubs are a total no-go after exercise, when your skin is more sensitive and could even tear more easily.

• Working out in makeup or with dirty skin: it’ll come as no surprise that makeup can stop sweat from flushing out your pores, but skin that hasn’t been cleansed can have the same effect.

• Going hard with active ingredients: while cleansers with actives can be especially effective after a workout, don’t double down with strong acid-laden serums. And leave the retinol for your nightly routine – or another night if you enjoy an evening workout.

• Scrubbing with a towel: you might want to sop up sweat with a towel as you work out and that’s fine, but don’t scrub too hard – this can make your skin sensitive and sore.

Exercise is important for maintaining balanced mood and health, and it also has a lot of skin-boosting benefits. But it’s important that we protect our skin after a sweat session to prevent clogged pores, sallowness, sensitivity, and dryness. By following these tips, you’ll have a natural, radiant glow for hours and days after your workout.

3 influencers who are making an impact in the beauty industry

Perceptions about beauty change over time and across different cultures. In Ancient Egypt, a slender figure and a symmetrical face accentuated by green and blue eyeshadows, bright-coloured lipstick, and a strong eyeliner made from animal fat was the beauty standard. Later, the Middle Ages, the Elizabethan era, and the Victorian era appreciated pale skin and minimal make-up.

Today, we’re seeing an eclectic amalgamation of beauty trends that fuse dramatic contouring, full matte lips, and dense eyebrows with skinimalism, which embraces the ‘less is more’ principle.

There are certain people that are paving the glittery way to the beauty realms through their astonishing social media accounts. Designer bikinis brand Heidi Klein roamed the internet to rank the most popular beauty influencers based on their Instagram engagement rate, average Instagram earnings per post, Instagram followers, and average Instagram likes.

Here are the beauty influencers that are changing the face of beauty in 2022.

Chiara Ferragni: on a rollercoaster of life and beauty

“The life that I'm living right now, I never thought it was possible ever. I try and remember that, but I also allow myself to feel down. You can't always fight the bad and miserable times; you have to accept that life has ups and downs. It's not about where you are right now, it's about the whole ride, which is why I always say, ‘No one queues for a flat rollercoaster’.

“The idea of trying to be happy all the time is way too much pressure. We cannot always be at our best, full selves, and allowing yourself time to feel will help you appreciate the better days more,” says Chiara Ferragni in an interview with Glamour magazine.

Chiara’s journey into the world of beauty influencers started from afar. As a student in international law at Milan’s Bocconi University, she started her fashion blog The Blonde Salad all the way back in 2009. What started as a hobby turned into a full-time job very quickly, so she dropped out of her degree.

Currently, she has 27 million followers on Instagram, 291,858 average likes per post, and an engagement rate of 163%, which brings her to the top of the chart. But what’s most shocking about her influencer game is that she is earning an average of £56,275.65 per Instagram post, which is more than double what the second most popular beauty influencer Zoe Sugg is earning.

The fact that Chiara Ferragni has such a dedicated social media community comes as no surprise. She is not only sharing her beauty routine with them but is also showing her real life, featuring her husband and two children.

One of the most spectacular events that highlighted Chiara’s glamour was her wedding extravaganza in Sicily in September 2018. Over the course of three days, Chiara wore three custom-made dresses by Dior. The wedding even had its own Instagram hashtag ‘#Ferragnez’ that gain 67 million views, shares, and reads, which is the equivalent of the UK population.

Zoe Sugg

It’ll be a big surprise if you haven’t heard of Zoella. The blog, and now the brand, is the brainchild of beauty influencer Zoe Sugg, who also happens to be the sister of influencer Joe Sugg.

Zoe started her fashion and beauty blog in 2009, the same year as Chiara Ferragni, in her bedroom in Wiltshire while doing an internship in interior design. Since then, she has launched multiple cosmetics products, gift ranges, and books in her brand. On Instagram, the influencer prides herself on having over 9 million followers, 191,517 average likes, and a 3.07% engagement rate. She’s earning a whopping £19,587.66 per post on average.

Zoe is a pioneer in the beauty blogging and influencer industry and has over 16 million YouTube subscribers that are enjoying her beauty tutorials. Her influencer game doesn’t end on social media, though. Zoe is a fervent mental health advocate and has been announced as a Digital Ambassador for mental health charity Mind. For her 28th birthday, Zoe she raised a whopping £13,848 in followers’ donations for Mind.

Victoria Magrath

Victoria Magrath is yet another influencer who revolutionised the beauty blogger industry all the way back in 2012 when she founded her blog and YouTube channel, both called inthefrow, which is a play on ‘in the front row’.

Recently, the British influencer changed her Instagram account name to Victoria, and the change might have something to do with her continuous evolution. “I am a brand ambassador, content creator, fashion and beauty blogger, brand consultant, author, influencer, and entrepreneur. I am also the director of a social media marketing company, with a team to consider and inspire,” shared Victoria in an interview for Harper’s Bazaar.

Talking about the stigma around the label ‘influencer’, Victoria commented: “Our channels are a bridge between brands and their customer base; carefully curated, direct-to-consumer marketing paired with increased engagement allows the consumer a voice."

Victoria constantly shares engaging content that incorporates the latest trends, including reels and TikTok videos. With a PhD in Fashion and having worked as a lecturer in fashion marketing at the University of Manchester, Victoria sure knows her fashion and beauty, and that’s evident in the content she produces.

On Instagram, she has 3.4 million followers, 234,000 average likes, and an engagement rate of 4.50%, attesting to the quality of her work and her creativity. In return, she is earning a whopping £8,690.00 per post on average.

The way the world of beauty evolves is dictated by us, the people. The success stories of these beauty influencers show us that beauty trends are formed as a conversation between influencers, brands, and most importantly, the online community. It’s time to raise your beautiful voice!

How to create a vegan beauty routine

 

Veganism has increased by 40% in the last year alone as more of us than ever shun animal products in our diets. If you’re one of the many people giving veganism a go for the first time now, you may experience a period of adjustment as you explore your new lifestyle.

Once you’ve adapted to your new plant-based diet, you might look at incorporating vegan practices into other areas of life, including your household items and our beauty routines. Brands are taking notice of consumers looking to be more ethical in their wider lives – 82% of new vegan products that were launched in 2020 were beauty products.

If you’re dipping your toe into veganism and vegan beauty for the first time, I have some tips for harnessing the most effective vegan ingredients in beauty and skincare, and cover some swaps for popular non-vegan ingredients that’ll help you hit your beauty goals.

The most effective vegan ingredients

When it comes to your beauty and skincare routines, you want your products to be effective as well as vegan. Look out for these powerhouse vegan ingredients for glowing skin.

Lactic acid

Most alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are vegan, but it might come as a surprise to some that even most lactic acid is vegan. While it’s present in dairy products including milk and yoghurt, the lactic acid that is used in skincare is vegan. The benefits of this AHA were indeed discovered through using dairy products topically – famous queens including Cleopatra and Elizabeth I were said to have bathed in milk to enhance their complexion. But thanks to dermatologically formulated lactic acid, you don’t have to touch a dairy product to reap the benefits!

Vitamin C

This brightening, youth-enhancing ingredient is vegan in its many forms – including L-ascorbic acid and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. Like many AHAs, it’s usually derived from fruits and plants and stabilised in the laboratory – a complex process. Vitamin C is considered a holy grail in skincare, so it’s good to know that you can incorporate it into your vegan routine. Its benefits include boosting your skin’s collagen production, brightening dull skin and dark spots, reducing fine lines, and smoothing texture.

Caffeine

Caffeine has been used for years in skincare and beauty products. It’s renowned for its ability to tighten up skin, meaning it’s a great ingredient for eye creams as well as body moisturisers. You can also find caffeine in newer beauty items like gradual tan lotions, where it offers tightening benefits alongside a golden tan.

Vegan beauty swaps

Some of our favourite beauty ingredients aren’t vegan. But you don’t need to worry – there are plenty of swaps you can make to incorporate vegan-friendly ingredients into your beauty routines.

Swap retinol for bakuchiol

Retinol, and its variations, is regarded as one of the most effective skincare ingredients out there. The vitamin A derivative encourages cell turnover in skin, which means churning out healthy, plump, new skin and reducing signs of premature ageing. But it’s a form of vitamin A that can only be found in animals, so it’s not vegan-friendly.

Bakuchiol, a plant-derived alternative, is soaring in popularity thanks to promising studies that show it could have the same effects as retinol. So if you’re obsessed with the results you get from your retinol, give bakuchiol a go.

Swap squalane for…squalane

Squalane is an underrated ingredient in skincare and beauty. It mimics our skin’s natural oils, making it an amazing option for dry skin babes because their skin doesn’t produce enough oil. Its similarities to our skin’s oils mean it won’t overwhelm oily skin either. Squalane has traditionally come from shark liver, but now plant-based formulas have been developed so you can reap the benefits of this nourishing ingredient without harming any sea life. Other popular hydrating ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, now also have vegan versions thanks to a surge in demand for vegan beauty.

Swap beeswax for plant-derived oils

Beeswax is a classic ingredient that’s used in everything from lip balms and lipsticks to body moisturisers and mascara. While it doesn’t come directly from an animal, it’s energy-intensive and not vegan due to the impact it can have on bees, as well as concerns surrounding how it is harvested. But the good news is you can take some work away from our busy bees and swap out beeswax for plant-derived oils such as vegetable oil (in makeup), avocado oil, jojoba seed oil, and argan oil (bodycare products). Synthetic beeswax also closely matches the texture and effects of the real deal.

As we become more aware of our impact on the world, we’re addressing the ethics and the sustainability of everything we consume. The vegan lifestyle has been steadily growing for years, and plant-based beauty has exploded more recently thanks to our passion for the planet. A lot of highly effective skincare and beauty ingredients are vegan or have vegan alternatives, so you can choose cruelty-free options that still give you the results you’re looking for.