How does my Cardio impact my Skin Health?

Our skin is the body's largest organ and is affected by many lifestyle habits and choices, including our cardio and workouts. 

Have you ever heard about the glow on your face post-workout? 

When we exercise, for example, high-intensity cardio, the blood flow increases. The blood pushes the oxygen to the muscles and the organs. Due to this process, the skin starts to glow and look healthier. 

There are immersive benefits of working out, like feeling more energetic and happy, boosting your self-esteem, a toned body, a better mood, and less risk of cardiovascular disease. 

The red cheeks and glowy face post-cardio do seem effulgent. When we run, our blood vessels dilate and take out heat, resulting in red skin. 

The glow is bloomy for a few hours only. Taking care of skin pre, during, and post-workout is essential. 

Pre-Cardio Skincare: 

To get the full benefits of glowy face post cardio, it is beneficial to plan your pre cardio skin care

1. Cleanse your face of dirt, oil or make up that may have accumulated. This will help prevent clogged pores during your workout.
2. Apply a lightweight moisturizer: Sweat could cause dryness. Hence, applying a light weight moisturizer is important as it could protect your skin from excess dryness during work out. Even if you have Oily skin, it is still recommended to choose a moisturizer. Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that won't clog your pores. 
3. Skip heavy makeup: It's best to avoid wearing heavy makeup or foundation before a workout. Heavy makeup can mix with sweat and clog your pores, leading to breakouts which could be cause of Acne. 
4. Protect your lips: Lip are extra sensitive and are prone to dryness and sunburn. Hence, keeping them moisturized is critical. Apply a lip balm or lip tint with SPF to protect your lips from sun damage during outdoor workouts. 
5. Tie your hair back: If you have long hair, tie it back in a loose ponytail or bun to keep it away from your face during your workout. This will help prevent excess sweat, oil, and hair products from transferring to your skin and causing irritation or breakouts.
6. Hydrate: Drink plenty of water before your workout to keep your skin hydrated from within. Proper hydration helps maintain the skin's elasticity and plumpness.
7. Use an antiperspirant roll. Our underarms are a prime location for the growth of bacteria and germs. Applying antiperspirant deodorant is helpful as it helps to reduce the sweat amount. It also ensures to lock a foul odor that will show your consideration to your gym mates. 

During workout: 

Patting your face with a cold cloth is helpful as it helps improve muscle circulation. It also helps to wipe the dripping sweat that may spill over to gym equipment or on to the person exercising next to you. 

Always use sanitizer and disinfectant before using any equipment because it helps to kill germs and prevents infection from getting passed on from one person to another. 

Post Workout: 

Post workout care is as essential as work out itself. Use following steps as Post Skincare regime to maintain a healthy and happy skin

• Cleanse your skin: This is the first and most important step to remove sweat, dirt and any bacteria. Use a gentle cleanser or herbal face wash suitable for your skin type. 
• Use lukewarm water instead of cold or hot water: Lukewarm water helps to cleanse the skin effectively without stripping away essential moisture.
• Pat dry gently: After cleansing, pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Avoid rubbing your skin vigorously, as this can cause irritation or redness. Your skin may already be dry due to sweat that increases dryness. Patting gently helps retain some moisture on the skin.
• Apply a soothing toner (optional): If you use a toner as part of your skincare routine, consider applying a soothing and alcohol-free toner post-workout. Toners can help rebalance the skin's pH levels and provide a refreshing boost.

• Hydrate with a moisturizer: After cleansing, apply a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer to replenish moisture and restore the skin's hydration levels. Look for a moisturizer suitable for your skin type that is non-comedogenic (won't clog pores).
• Stay hydrated: Drink water to rehydrate your body and skin from within. For every 1 hour of work out, you shall be drinking almost 0.5-1 ltr of water. This may vary depending on intensity of workout, whether it is done indoor or outdoor etc. 
• Avoid touching your face: Refrain from touching your face with hands that may have come into contact with gym equipment or other potentially dirty surfaces. Touching your face can transfer bacteria and dirt, increasing the risk of breakouts and skin irritation.
• Shower as soon as possible: If you've been sweating heavily during your workout, it's beneficial to take a shower as soon as you can to remove sweat and bacteria from your body. Use a gentle body wash or soap, and pat yourself dry afterward.

Another benefit of doing cardio is that it calms us down. There is a stress level in our body called the cortisol hormone. Working out reduces stress and helps to bump up the production of endorphins, named the feel-good hormones.

What type of clothes should I wear to work out?

Well, wearing lightweight, breathable clothes is good. Moisture-wicking fabric is best as it helps to dry the sweat quickly. 

Did you know? Cardio can boost collagen production. 

You must have heard the fancy term collagen on your social media feed. While doing cardio, there is excellent oxygen circulation in the whole body. Collagen is an essential protein that keeps the skin firm and tight and gives a plump and radiant look. This, in turn, provides nutrients to your skin and leads to an increase in collagen production. So go and hit the cycle today. 

Is the scalp the skin?

We are riveting on the skin again and again. But how about our scalp? The scalp is a bridge between the skin and hair. Yes, the scalp is a part and an extension of the skin. 

This means that along with skin, we also need to center around our hair.

Is it OK to shampoo every day if I work out?

Shampooing after every workout session is not advisable as it can leave the hair dry and frizzy. A separate towel can dab the sweat off the scalp to maintain hygiene and avoid bacteria. 

Are you au courant with the facts ……. 

• Cardio promotes cell growth:

When we exercise, the old or damaged cells are replaced with new and healthy ones. This improves the skin's overall tone, texture, and appearance. Also, as per research, intense interval training and endurance exercise have been shown to bring in anti-aging properties. 

With so many benefits, can exercise do any harm to the skin?

With all due precautions taken, cardio is good for overall health. But if you work outdoors, sun exposure can dampen your skin. Use an Spf 30 lightweight herbal sunscreen. 

Have you ever wondered how athletes maintain a fit body and glowy skin? It is due to healthy food consumption, exercise, and skincare routine. So why wait, start cardio today and get in shape. 

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