Picture this: You attend a sweaty CrossFit session, you drink a green smoothie, and you walk into the shower. Sounds like a perfect self-care Sunday, right? But how do you go about your post-workout skin care routine? Should you scrub your sweaty pores or should you use a face wash? How do you wash your face when you have an oily skin? To clear your confusions, we give you a low-down on the right way to cleanse your face after you sweat out.

If You Sweat Out In the Morning

If you are an early riser, you must skip your morning face wash routine altogether. All the sweat will cleanse your pores, so all you will need is a quick rinse. It's best to wait till afternoon or evening to wash or exfoliate your face as your skin is more prone to irritation after a workout. If your skin is oily, and you can't go about without washing your face, dab some gentle cleanser on your T-zone. Are You Washing Your Face Wrong? Common Cleansing Mistakes That Are Damaging Your Skin

If You Exercise Midday

When you are working out, it is super important that you do not strip your skin with chemical products. Rinse your face with a splash of warm water right after you exercise. If you wish, you can also use a gentle cleanser on your T-zone. Wash your hands before touching your face as you can pick up harmful bacteria from the gym equipment. While sweat itself may not damage your face, the germs you put on your face can lead to breakouts. How To Choose a Face Cleanser: Best Type of Cleansers for Different Skin Types

If You Do an Evening Workout

If you are hitting the gym after work in the evening, make sure you remove all the makeup first with gentle micellar water or a makeup remover cloth. Your pores open when you sweat and all the makeup settling in your pores can make your skin pores to clog. If you can't squeeze in time to remove makeup, wear non-comedogenic makeup products that are formulated to not clog your pores. After the workout, wash off your non-comedogenic makeup, or rinse with water if you have a fresh face. Nighttime Skincare Routine for Youthful Skin

When it comes to the water temperature, your best bet is to go for cold or lukewarm water that won't irritate your skin. Using hot water can sensitise your skin especially when you are still red from a workout. So while it might be tempting to jump to a hot shower after workout, just take some time out to wash your face with cool water.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 09, 2020 03:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).