Your pre and post-exercise skincare workout for radiant, energised skin

So you started a new workout routine; what’s next? While congratulations are in order as you show up for yourself despite the dreaded ’Pilates Shakes’, you might be experiencing acne breakouts after exercising that could be frustrating to deal with and eliminate. In the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle and a glowy, youthful complexion, your skincare routine starts and extends beyond your workout.

Showing some TLC to your skin pre-exercising can better prepare it to face the incoming sweat and grime, while getting rid of the residue after an intense session is equally as important to restore balance and hydration for the ultimate porcelain smooth complexion. To help your skin bounce back with increased luminosity, here are some of our picks.

Pre-workout - Rise & Shine

1. Cleanse

The first rule is to always remove makeup beforehand. Sure, it might be more efficient to slough it all away together after sweating it out since you would be freshening up anyway, but the mix of sebum, foundation, powder and perspiration can create a dreaded pore-clogging situation which can wreak havoc on your skin. To maintain balance and prevent unwanted breakouts, it’s best to start with a clean slate.

Bye Bye Makeup 3-in-1 Melting Cleansing Balm, $57, IT Cosmetics from Selfridges

What better way to kick off your routine with a stellar product that does it all? From waterproof makeup to cleansing, the Bye Bye Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm helps get rid of all residue gently but mega effectively. Infused with skincare benefits such as rosehip oil, ceramides and vitamin C, the non-greasy formula helps add a boost of radiance and nourishment for fresh, revitalised skin made to help you conquer the day.

Kale + Green Tea Facial Cleanser, $77.42, Youth To The People from Amazon

Going on a hot girl walk first thing in the morning? Cleansing should still be part of your routine even when you have no makeup on. To start your day fresh, go for a deep-dive cleansing gel that helps purify your skin and ensure no pore-clogging business can occur during and after an intense bout of exercising. Touted as the ‘daily green juice’ cleanser for your skin, the best-selling holy grail is infused with kale, spinach and green tea that helps in hydrating and balancing your skin’s pH levels without drying it out or stripping any essential oils. This powerful gel-to-foam formula can also help remove light makeup and residual dirt from environmental pollution.

2. Tone

Is using a toner really necessary pre-workout? Yes. In fact, it is one of the key steps in ensuring your skin stays glowing and any spots banished even being drenched in sweat. After a one-step cleanse, toning can help to clean out any remaining or accumulated debris that could cause you to break out, essentially acting as a second cleansing step and a preemptive strike against excess dirt and pore-clogging culprits.

Rosewater Toner, $26.05, Cocokind from iHerb

Cocokind offers a fuss-free and non complicated multi purpose Rosewater Toner that gets the job done. It helps with balancing pH levels and clarification that brings your best skin forward while offering a light boost of hydration. Through a simple process of steaming rose petals, the residual liquid gold aids in soothing irritation, as well as alleviating eczema and rosacea which is especially helpful before your fitness routine that could further aggravate or trigger it.

3. Moisturise

When you hit the gym, your skin can be more prone to drying out easily. To ensure your skin stays well hydrated throughout your sweat sesh, introduce an all rounder moisturiser to keep your complexion looking fresh. Opt for a lightweight, non-greasy formula and avoid anything cream-based that can be too heavy which as a result, can cause clogged pores leading to breakouts.

For best results, incorporate a facial mist before to aid better and faster absorption of your moisturiser; and for the girls on the go, a water-based mist can help with quick dryness relief and helps make sure your skin stays quenched and supple while you work hard.

Plump + Juicy Vegan Collagen Spray-On Serum, $68.26, KOSAS from Revolve

If you have back to back schedules with simply no time to waste, a spray-on serum such as this particular one by KOSAS has lots to offer with just one spritz. It has a fine mist that dries fast while replenishing moisture and rebalancing your skin. Supporting microbiome and protecting against external aggressors, this is a one step fix all solution you need to have stashed in your purse for an anywhere, everywhere all-day refreshing pick-me-up; perfect even for your pre-workout routine.

Vegan Relief Facial Moisturiser, $74, Melixir from Sephora

A gel formula made for rapid absorption with zero traces of residue, the Vegan Relief Facial Moisturiser crafted by Melixir helps soothe irritated areas thanks to its addition of calming green tea originating from Korea while providing immediate hydration. The star of the show however, lies in its patented acne-fighting agent that helps defend against breakouts and excessive sebum. The addition of black cumin seed oil and centella asiatica extract also creates a nice, clean canvas and well nourished complexion that is great as a skin prep before you head to your next workout class. If you wish, this moisturiser also works wonders for your post-workout routine to help cool down and provide a drink for your skin.

4. SPF

Whether indoors or outdoors, sunscreen is still non-negotiable. UV rays don’t choose the time and place to appear, it is simply everywhere, even penetrating through windows. The only way to beat it? Opt for a one that has broad spectrum protection with at least SPF30 to prevent premature ageing and sun damage.

Fluid Silk Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, $52, Evereden from Sephora

When it comes to exercising, choosing the right sunscreen is of utmost importance. The Fluid Silk Mineral Sunscreen by Evereden ticks all the boxes - lightweight, non-comedogenic, non-greasy, and most importantly, water and sweat resistant. This 100% mineral sunscreen has a sheer formula that absorbs quickly into the skin and is safe for sensitive as well as acne prone skin types. Making sure to lock in an all-day hydration while you work hard thanks to the addition of hyaluronic and polyglutamic acid, the watery texture also has zero white cast and boasts a silky, soft finish. The bonus? The flat, round portable packaging also comes with a clip-on ring so you can hang it on your water bottle or wallet and have it near you whenever you need a reapplication. Genius.

Post-workout - Rinse & Repeat

1. Cleanse

Great job with that workout! Let’s commence Round 2 with your new holy grail products. This time, less cardio and more skin action. To kick off, start with a deep, thorough cleanse to melt all excess grime, sweat and pollution away. We promise this helps with winding and cooling down too!

Face Cleanser, $54, First Aid Beauty from Sephora

A cotton soft whipped texture, the fluffy blob transforms into a rich cream lather that effectively removes dirt and oils while working to block free radicals. Created to tame redness, irritation and flare ups, this mild formula is nourishing yet gentle enough for sensitive skin and a refreshing addition for your post-workout cleanse.

2. Tone

You won’t want to skip this step after that cardio exercise. While many may deem toning unnecessary, it plays a huge role in rebalancing your skin’s pH, minimising the appearance of pores, as well as getting rid of any remaining sebum and debris without stripping the skin. If you pick the right ones, some toners will also help nourish and replenish a ton of hydration for that supple, youthful looking complexion.

Cicachid Chilling Toner Pads, $31.50, NEEDLY from Watsons

Struggling with acne? The Cicachid Chilling Toner Pads is simply a lifesaver. If NEEDLY is already on your beauty radar, you would be familiar with its huge toner pad size that makes it so unique and easy to use. Soaked with a generous amount of essence, the addition of Cypress Water and Cica helps cool down and calm the skin especially from redness and heat after that high-intensity Spin Class, while also treating and targeting acne while keeping your skin fresh and well hydrated.

3. Moisturise

Remember when we said strenuous workout dries out your skin? We weren’t kidding. Perspiration can result in fluid loss and skin dehydration, even more so for eczema prone skin. When sweat is left to sit too long onto the surface of the skin, it can also lead to the build up of bacteria that could clog pores and result in acne. Some may also experience stinging and itchiness. To help alleviate these symptoms, it is key to rehydrate and soothe with a good tub of moisturiser.

The Base Face Milk, $82.08, ILIA from Revolve

An essence and moisturiser hybrid, this ILIA Base Face Milk offers a 2-in-1 hydrating solution for a deep skin reset to bring out that inner glow. While most moisturisers give immediate relief, this Face Milk helps maintain hydration levels throughout the day and helps with skin barrier support for a more resilient complexion. Targeted towards redness, irritated skin, dryness and uneven texture, the versatile formula morphs into and addresses what your skin craves to best heal and condition.

The Face Mist, $140, Augustinus Bader from Takashimaya

Another product worth mentioning is The Face Mist by Augustinus Bader that drenches your skin in hydration while still being extremely lightweight. A true multitasker, this iconic blue bottle does it all - tone, moisturise, soothe, and even sets makeup. Use it at any step after cleansing and it will get the job done in seconds. With a golden ratio mix of amino acids, vitamins, peptides, hyaluronic acid and flower extracts, one spritz will leave your skin supple, plump and healthy. The innovatie formula is also made to tackle multiple skin concerns and adapt to individual needs.

4. SPF

To wrap up your routine, end off with a good and generous slather of sunscreen to keep sin damage at bay. If you need more sunscreen recommendations, this is the one to keep a look out for.

Spf 50+ 250ml Sunscreen, $44.73, Standard Procedure from Revolve

If you’re heading right back out in the day, opt for a fast absorbing, weightless sunscreen that will help shield your skin against weather elements and prevent sun damage. Packed with superfruits and antioxidants, this chemical sunscreen SPF50+ formula works just like skincare to help repair and defend against premature ageing.