Hot Yoga Skin care

[Anonymous]

I am having trouble developing a skin care routine to go with my newly found active lifestyle. I've never had much of a routine besides buying whatever is on sale at the pharmacy (ugh I know) but now that I'm getting older and can finally afford things I was hoping to get some tips and tricks from much more knowledgeable people than me 🙂

I typically exercise twice a day, 5-ish days a week. I run + lift in the morning and do hot yoga in the evenings. I'm a fan of sweating a lot (by a lot I mean occasionally getting prune fingers) but I am not as much of a fan of my post-workout face... in the mornings it is usually red and bumpy and it is difficult to put on make up for work (which I only do like 3 times a week) and after hot yoga it is even more red, dry and I'm self conscious of putting cream or anything on it cause my pores are super super open.

Thank you for advice everyone. I really really appreciate it!

[purly]

I used to do Bikram and it was terrible for my face. I had breakouts all the time. The dermatologist did what they could for me, but my skin didn't calm down and clear up until I quit. 

One of the things he had he had me doing was to use a cleanser wipe on my face after my workout, but I found it was too harsh on my skin.

I think the main issue is that even after you shower and what not, you keep sweating for like an hour afterwards. So it all just comes back.

Let us know if you find something that works.

[ChicDabbler]

1. Leave extra time at end of your workout for skincare, at least 10-20 minutes. It's normal for face to be red right after sweaty exercise, and you don't want to apply makeup to a face that is still heated/slightly sweating. If I apply moisturizers or makeup when my face still feel hot/slightly sweating from exercise, my skin feels bumpy and stuffy.

2. Since you are cleansing 3 times a day, use a gentle cleanser after sweaty exercises. If you have oily skin, then try Boscia Purifying. If you have normal/dry skin, then try Tatcha Camellia oil cleanser, which does not leave a residue but removes makeup well and leaves your skin feeling super clean. Cleanse with lukewarm water and finish off with a cold rinse to cool your skin off.

3. After cleansing and moisturizing, wait a few minutes for everything to absorb and for you to cool off, then go with a skin friendly makeup. Instead of layers of foundation/powder, try a BB/CC cream, which often contains skincare ingredients in them. If you want a matte finish, try using a blotting paper like Boscia or Tatcha after the makeup sets. They take away the shine without clogging your pores like powders might.

I only do sweaty exercise once a day at end of the day, lol. What I do is use a cleansing water or cleansing oil to remove makeup so it won't get gross with sweat, then 2-3 spritz of moisturizing facial spray or a lightweight gel moisturizer so my skin won't dry out (Tatcha spray or clinique moisture surge gel cream). After exercise when I'm all sweaty, I cleanse/shower as soon as possible then follow with the rest of my skincare routine.

[Anonymous]

yass! thanks for the advise!

I had been researching into oils.. but there's so many to choose from! I'm looking forward to try out the ones you mentioned.. thanks!!

[ChicDabbler]

I looked at your responses below. It sounds like you have combination skin, a bit on the oily side. A few things:

1. Water is cleansing/drying. As it evaporates, it takes away the naturally moisturizing/protective layer of oil on your skin with it. You mentioned splash of cold water in the AM before you exercise, unless you followed it up with moisturizer, don't do it, just save the cleansing for after exercise. Or if you want something a bit cold/wet to wake you up, try a couple spritz of a facial spray kept in the fridge (my favorites are Caudalie Beauty Elixir, Omorovicza Queen of Hungary, Clinique Moisture Surge or Tatcha mist in order from least hydrating to most hydrating).

2. I'm not a fan of makeup removing wipes since they either contain alcohol and other drying ingredients or leaves a residue that feels like it may cause breakout if I don't cleanse. I usually use a gentle cleansing water such as Koh Gen Do (they have it in cleansing wipe form, as well, the only cleansing wipe I'd recommend) or if you want something a bit moisturizing then Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear cleansing water.

The rest of your routine sounds fine. Basically whenever you cleanse, with water or wipe or cleanser, you should moisturize afterwards even if it's only with a couple spritz of Clinique moisture surge or Tatcha facial spray. If you feel like cleansing so often is drying out your skin, then definitely give Tatcha oil cleanser a try (it's the only oil cleanser that cleanses well without leaving a residue that I tried. Boscia purifying I recommended is about on par with the Kielh's you used so no need to try that). If you are interested in oil as a lightweight moisturizer, the most lightweight oils I've tried are Fresh Seaberry and Tatcha gold.

So, long story short, try Tatcha cleansing oil instead of your wipes (or cleanser). Try a spritz of Clinique Moisture Surge spray after cleansing if you are not gonna moisturize. Hope it helps. Cheers!

[Anonymous]

As a dancer, I practice my routines a few times a day and can get really sweaty. I also love to get super sweaty because it feels healthy and relieves muscle tension.

I just wash off my sweat with fresh water.  Lightly pat with fresh clean towel.  (use small washcloths)

I don't bother to use cleanser bc that would be 2-3 times a day. 

Pull your sweaty hair away from your face. This causes blemishes.

At night before bed, just do your entire face routine and take your vitamins.  (so, you don't pee them out during the day with all the water you are probably drinking).

Forgot to add.  Before exercising, start with a clean face.  This is when I lightly clean and wipe my face with micellar water. Then afterwards just rinse off the sweat with fresh water. Sometimes I do it in the kitchen sink (while getting water) and pat dry with soft paper towel. I don't have problems with sweat blemishes this way.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the advise! Sweating is the beeeest!

Good point on the vitamins. I'd never considered that..!

[quspork]

What it your skin type- dry, oily, combination, normal? 

And what's your current routine? What steps/products are you using?

[Anonymous]

Hi @quspork! Thank you for asking.. I'm not very good at the terminology for this stuff but I'd say my nose and chin are on the oilier side, my forehead less oily and the rest of my face is somewhere in the middle.. very sensitive everywhere.

My current "routine" is

wake up: splash of cold water

post am workout: wash face/ shower with lukewarm water, kiehl's ultra facial cleanser and apply drugstore facial moisturizer with spf

pre-yoga: remove makeup and any other gunk with a burt's bees face wipe for sensitive skin

post-yoga: I usually don't shower in the studio so I just wash my face with cold water and kiehl's cleanser and then apply either light drug store moisturizer or l'occitane divine lotion

before bed: shower, no soap on my face. light moisturizer or l'occitane divine lotion if my skin feels dry.

Thank you for the advise!