TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – If there's one crucial thing to understand in the world of beauty, it's timing. The order of your beauty routine has been proven to have a direct impact on skin health. However, the situation often becomes confusing when you add in a sweat-inducing exercise routine. The classic question that often arises is: should we wash our faces before exercising, afterward, or even both?
The short answer is afterward, but there's one important exception you should know!
Wearing Makeup? Remove It Before Working Out!
If you're going to the gym right after work or after an outing, take a moment to remove your makeup.
Mona Gohara, clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, explains that the only reason you should cleanse your face before exercising is if you're wearing makeup, especially foundation or a thick layer of sunscreen.
"When you sweat, these products mix with natural oils and sweat. As a result, pores become more easily clogged and can lead to acne," Gohara explained, as reported by Real Simple.
However, if your skin is already clean and makeup-free, you don't need to wash your face again. Over-cleansing your face can actually make your skin drier and more sensitive.
Washing Your Face After Exercise Is a Must
The most crucial cleansing actually occurs after you finish exercising. Many people blame sweat for causing acne. However, sweat itself is not the skin's main enemy. The real problem arises when sweat is allowed to sit and settle on your face.
"Sweat is not the enemy. But when it mixes with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells and is left to sit, the risk of clogged pores and irritation increases significantly," says Gohara.
Therefore, wash your face immediately after exercising to rinse away sweat, remaining bacteria, and dirt before they cause problems for your skin.
Lock in Moisture with Moisturizer
After thoroughly washing your face, don't stop there. Apply moisturizer to restore your skin's protective barrier.
Cleansing your face is effective in removing oil and dirt, but it can also strip your skin of its natural moisture. Using moisturizer afterward helps keep your skin balanced, hydrated, and healthy.
What if you can't wash your face right after exercising?
There are times when you have to rush or can't find a bathroom after exercise class. Don't panic! If possible, rinse your face with clean, warm water as a first aid measure. Alternatively, use gentle micellar water or alcohol-free cleansing wipes.
You can also spray hypochlorous acid in your gym bag to instantly refresh and disinfect your skin. The key is, don't let sweat sit on your skin for hours!
So, before exercising, remove any makeup and heavy sunscreen, if you have one. Afterward, wash your face thoroughly to remove any lingering oils and bacteria.
REAL SIMPLE | SILVY RIANA PUTRI
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