WORKOUT FRIENDLY SKINCARE

You know those people who manage to look effortlessly gorgeous at the gym? Yep, me too. Though, sadly, I haven’t been blessed with such good fortune. My gym face is rather less effortless, and generally involves a glaze of beetroot-faced sweat.

And so, I admit, I like to give myself a helping hand. By no means a full face of make-up, but a smudge of eyeliner for a little definition. I don’t like to clog my pores before the gym, but am always on the lookout for sweat-friendly skincare. Luckily, there’s lots of brands out there aimed at us active women with breathable, sweat-proof make-up and oil-free, high-performance products. Some of my favourites are CliniqueFit, which boasts useful, handbag-sized items, and Pretty Athletic, which is formulated for endurance and has a selection of pre-and post-workout goodies.

It’s also important, as the sun looks set to stay (hurrah!) to make sure our skin is properly protected. For this, I love Heliocare’s 360 Oil-free Gel SPF 50 (£28 for 50ml, available at skinoracle.com). Sold in a handy tube, it dries quickly and provides a slight glow on the skin. It’s an excellent sun protection that is perfect for holidays and all outside activities. Whenever I use a traditional SPF before a workout, they always feel too heavy and don’t allow my skin to breathe. Since using this exercise-friendly alternative, my sweaty face has been transformed!

I’ve also tracked down some post-workout skincare options, as it’s important to look after our complexions after we’ve worked up a sweat. And while I admit I sometimes neglect this routine – popping straight out for a smoothie or going to meet friends without showering first – ideally skin should be cleansed before it cools down. This ensures any dirt, sweat and grime is removed before it has a chance to clog our pores. Take note!

So, as you prepare to do battle with the gym this summer, here’s my top beauty buys to get that workout glow.

1. Pretty Athletics Cool Down, Purifying Gel Cleanser (£17.99 for 100ml, available at com). Post-workout, this is brilliant. It gently removes sweat and any excess oil, and contains lots of calming ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber, chamomile and lavender as well as hyaluronic acid and prebiotics.
2. CliniqueFit Workout Make-up Broad Spectrum SPF 40 (£29.50 for 30ml, available at clinique.co.uk). If you want a little more of a tint, then this range is light, oil-free and won’t clog your pores. It comes in four different shades, and is must for us regular gym bunnies.
3. CliniqueFit 24-Hour Mascara (£20 for 6ml, available at clinique.co.uk). This mascara has a really skinny wand that makes lashes look naturally long and thick. While it definitely stays put and doesn’t streak down your face, it’s also not as hard to remove as waterproof products.

Do you have exercise-friendly skincare tips? Why not pop them in the comments box below!

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