You’re committed to your yoga practice and say Namaste to your mat on more days than not during the week. And while you can see your body getting stronger, is your skin starting to freak out? Sticky mats and sweaty classes can no doubt wreak havoc on skin, so how about getting as serious about your skincare routine as you are about your practice?
Say goodbye to extra oil, clogged pores and extra redness and hello to natural, glowing skin with these 3 Yoga Skincare steps:
CLEANSE
Fact: you should never exit the yoga studio without washing away the sweat from your face and other acne-prone areas (ie; back of shoulders & neck, and décolleté). Letting sweat sit on your skin is like asking for dirt to settle into your pores the same way you settle into shavasana. Get rid of sticky skin by alternating between a moisturizing clean cleanser like image’s Vital C Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($27), and an anti-bacterial, acne-fighting cleanser containing salicylic acid (an efficient pore penetrator), like the MD Reconstructive Facial Cleanser ($25).
MOISTURIZE
Sweating during yoga can sometimes go two ways: (1) give you a natural glow; or (2) leave you with oil-slicked skin. To avoid the later but still get your glow on after your flow, make sure to apply a moisturizer to cleansed skin. Opt for mattifying formulas that tame excess oil, like Image’s Clear Cell Mattifying Moisturizer ($49.90); Or, if you’d like an even lighter moisturizer during the summer, ditch the lotions and try a lightweight serum instead. We love Clear Cell’s Restoring Serum ($37), which absorbs surface oils and features Vitamin B6, a powerful ingredient that helps restores skin’s healthy balance.
PROTECT
After yoga, skin tends to be overheated and red, even after a wash. To prevent irritated skin and protect it skin from the sun, pollution, and smoke (the leading causes of skin cancer), get in the habit of applying a zinc oxide-based sunscreen to cleansed skin, like Image’s Prevention+ Daily Matte Moisturizer SPF 32+ ($34). Zinc-based sunscreens are anti-inflammatory and the microsponge technology in this moisturizer will absorb surface oils and leave skin shine-free.
While following the steps above will guarantee you clear and glowing skin, it won’t help soothe sore muscles- but our Massage Special sure will!
