Here's How to Stop the Gym From Ruining Your Face

It's a well known fact that exercise is good for you. The US government recommends 30 minutes of exercise every day to stay healthy, and even Elle Woods agrees: "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy...". Breaking a sweat does wonders for your body and your mind... but is it also ruining your complexion? Possibly.

Let's break it down: When you workout you sweat. Your body detoxes and your pores open up to release impurities from your skin. (Another way exercising is good for you!). And let's be real, sweat is gross: It's wet, dirty and uncomfortable. So, we mop it up — hopefully with a clean towel and not with dirty hands.

Though, be warned — simply drying off with just a towel isn't enough after a workout. After all, sweat carries the grime your body detoxes — and mixes it together with the dirt that was already on your face to begin with. Leaving all that on your face for too long can lead to breakouts. You'll need more than a quick pat down — washing your face after you sweat is a must! And the sooner, the better.

And that's not all: The key to a clear complexion for active exercisers is to wash your face before the gym, too. It might sound a little extra, but it's actually really important — remember, you don't want your pre-workout grime mixing with your sweaty post-workout grime; it'll only lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Washing your face beforehand puts a stop to that, leaving your face clean and your pores clear.

So, it's simple: 1. Clean your face before you work out and 2. Clean your face after you work out. Now, read on for the perfect skin care products to keep in your gym bag.

Image via Imaxtree