Your Summer Skincare Routine for Outdoor Workouts

We’ve done the heavy lifting to find your summer skincare routine for every outdoor workout you face. 

With summer officially here, you might be moving your sweat seshes outside. But before you hit the great outdoors, remember these best practices to protect your skin from annoying sunburns, breakouts and dryness. Use this pre- and post-workout skincare advice morning, noon and night to keep your skin healthy all summer long.

Always Apply Sunscreen

The estimated lifetime risk for skin cancer is 39% for men and 28% for women. And the number one cause of skin cancer is overexposure to sunlight, especially when it results in a sunburn or blistering. 

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun damage DNA in your skin, causing abnormal cells to form, which have the potential to form a mass of cancer cells. 

So, no matter if you’re in the sun for 5 minutes or 5 hours, always apply sunscreen and keep reapplying every 2 hours. 

But not all sunscreens are created equal. Make sure to choose a mineral-based, sweatproof sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, since both types of rays can cause skin cancer and premature aging. 

We recommend Vichy’s Capital Soleil Ultra Light Sunscreen SPF 50, which contains pro-retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to reduce wrinkles and firm and brighten your skin while, at the same time, protecting it from UV rays. 

Why mineral-based? Mineral-based sunscreen is the preferred choice since it works as soon as you apply it—no waiting around for it to absorb before your outdoor workout. 

And by all means, don’t forget about your lips—they need sun protection, too. 

Morning Workout Skincare Routine 

If you’re planning to work out first thing in the morning and you washed your face the night before, don’t wash it again. Skin is quickly irritated by excessive washing, especially if you’re prone to acne or rosacea. 

At most, splash your face with lukewarm water and gently wipe it with a microfiber cloth, which is much less abrasive than a regular washcloth. 

And if your skin feels dry, apply SkinCeuticals C E Ferulica, a patented daytime vitamin C serum that delivers advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness and brightens your complexion.

However, never apply a heavy moisturizer pre-workout. This will prevent the evaporation of sweat and could lead to clogged pores. One more thing, don’t forget to apply sunscreen before heading out the door! 

The bottom line: There’s no need to do your entire skincare ritual before a morning workout. Not only will you sweat it off, it’s money down the drain. Besides, you’ll have to repeat the entire process an hour or two later, which can irritate the skin. 

Related: 5 Must-Do Skincare Tips Before and After Working Out

Afternoon Workout Skincare Routine

Because your pores open when you sweat, it’s recommended to remove makeup before working out. But since overwashing your face is still a concern, make sure to choose a gentle cleanser containing salicylic acid, since it breaks up sebum and dead skin, which can lead to acne. 

La Roche’s Effaclar Gel Facial Wash is a great choice, since it gently removes excess oils and makeup to reveal smoother, brighter skin. Follow this up by applying sunscreen. 

Post-Workout Skincare Routine

There’s no need to repeat your entire morning skincare routine if you’re working out in the afternoon. This will lead to angry skin. Instead, cleanse gently, moisturize and apply sunscreen.

Try CeraVe’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion, a light, oil-free cream with hyaluronic acid to help restore and maintain the skin’s protective barrier.

And if you work out first thing in the morning or at night, do your full skincare routine post-workout. And because sweating causes your pores to open, anything you apply to your face will be better absorbed into the skin. Yay for that! 

Takeaway

Exercise is great for the body and mind, but outdoor sweat seshes can overexpose your skin to harmful UVA and UVB rays and blemish-causing bacteria. Don’t sweat it—anytime you’re in doubt, revisit these pre- and post-workout skincare tips to keep your skin happy through the workout and beyond. 

Take your training outside with Gymondo. Start your free trial today and choose from over 500 outdoor workouts. See you on the mat! 

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