What skin care products you need in your gym bag may feel like a matter of preference or opinion. But in truth, there are a few essentials everyone needs for the gym, whether they are a bodybuilder, marathoner, or someone simply trying to get back in shape for 10-20 minutes. What skin care products you need in your gym bag doesn’t vary much at all, especially when it comes down to these three essentials:
1.) Cleansing wipes
When you are exerting yourself, you sweat. And when you sweat, your skin naturally produces higher levels of sebum. An oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands, sebum helps prevent hair and skin from drying out while you’re losing lots of water through sweat, but it can also cause clogged pores, face and body odor, and even sebaceous cysts.
Studies show that sebum production occurs most at the beginning of sweating and during excessive periods of exertion (Skin Research and Technology, 2013).
Skin’s pH will also become more basic during strenuous exercise, but will actually become more acidic within an hour after exercise is done (Skin Research and Technology, 2013). Acidic pH is better, as skin is exfoliated and its natural acid mantle is best maintained at acidic pH levels. But using acids or bases while your skin is self-regulating could potentially be detrimental, leading to irritation or infection.
2.) Waterproof Sunscreen
When a cosmetic scientist designs a sunscreen, it is designed to be activated within the skin within 30 minutes. During this time, the sunscreen will either form a layer of protection to prevent UV rays from hitting the skin (a “physical” block) or, alternatively, transform any UV rays into non-damaging forms of energy, such as non-UV light or heat (a “chemical” block).
But this can be disrupted if your skin is still wet, sweaty, or varying in pH after a workout.
To counteract this effect as much as possible, use a sunscreen that is waterproof after your workout. Though “waterproof” in the US only lasts for up to 80 minutes, that should be enough to get you to apply the sunscreen, work out for 30-60 minutes, and then have your sunscreen on your skin — and fully activated.
3.) An Effective Exfoliation Product
When it comes down to what skin care products you need in your gym bag, you should always have an effective exfoliation product.
When you exercise, the spaces between your skin cells, called desmosomes, can become clogged with sebum, dried perspiration, and other debris. It is imperative that you exfoliate within 1-2 hours of exercising, or else these skin cells and debris can clog your pores, leading to breakouts, skin roughness, and, ultimately, impaired skin function.
We recommend trying the ViaBuff for face and body, with four custom exfoliation levels designed for an array of skin types and concerns. Best of all, the ViaBuff can be used with your existing skin care and exfoliation products, and you will find the ViaBuff only increases the efficacy of your existing regimen (as most of our customers have)! It’s amazing to use after a workout daily. And considering each puff lasts 30% longer than the average competitors’ puff, it’s a solid investment in beautiful skin!
In Summary
When it comes down to what skin care products you need in your gym bag, everyone needs a good cleanser or cleansing wipes; a waterproof UVA/UVB sunscreen; and an effective exfoliation product like the ViaBuff!