When you're going to the gym in the middle of the day, it can feel like you barely have time to rinse off, much less treat your skin the way that you should. Between only being able to squeeze a couple extra things into your gym bag and only having a few minutes in the locker room, it can be a tight race to decide what gets prioritized. But that just doesn't have to be the case. There are quite a few actions that you can take to return to the office with better skin than when you left.
Take Preventative Measures
The number one thing that you can do to help your skin is to prevent most of the damage in the first place. The top component of this? Stay hydrated. Not drinking enough water can cause your skin to be dull, dry, and flaky, in addition to the other risks to your health. It's also crucial to wipe down your gym equipment before you use it, to prevent transferring germs onto your skin. Avoid showering in very hot water to help prevent dry skin and hair. Wear a product with SPF if you're going to be exercising outside at any point. It's a good habit to get into, even if you find yourself mostly indoors.
Pack Light by Multitasking
Having a dedicated product for each step of your skincare routine is going to fill up your gym bag and weigh you down. There's only so much space on the counter-top, and you're looking to get through this as quick as possible, so you have more time for your workout. Consider products that take on more than one use. A face and beard wash is one product that is great for an on-the-go pack, and is also at home in a travel kit. Clearing pads are great when you're stretched for time and need something that's going to remove sweat and tighten your skin.
Treat Common Problems Quickly
When you're headed back to the office, there isn't always time to go in depth into your skincare routine. But when red spots, ingrown hairs, and razor bumps occur (all of which can be exacerbated by exercise and sweat), you want some quick fixes available to you in your gym bag. You'll want a pair of tweezers to gently coax an ingrown hair back out of the follicle, without removing the hair completely. This can cause other issues with red, irritated skin, which can be soothed by a toner. Many toners also pull double duty as a cleansing product. Whether you're shaving at the gym or your skin gets irritated after working out and toweling off, razor burn and razor bumps can also present themselves in the locker room. A Vitamin C moisturizer boosts the skin's immune response to razor burn, and other stressors in the environment.
Taking care of your skin at the gym doesn't just have to be a quick shower and hitting your face with some body wash, but it also doesn't have to be a full arsenal of lotions and potions. By packing smart and using a few good products well, you can easily take care of your skin a short amount of time.