Presented by Estée Lauder x Her Campus
To say that time management is a crucial skill at UCLA is a huge understatement. Trying to balance a social life, actually attending lectures, finding a seat at BPlate, and getting in a good workout at Wooden takes up my entire day. And, because I was always rushing around campus, I didn’t properly pack my bag before heading to the gym between lectures, and I started to get acne.
In hindsight, I really don’t know why I was surprised my acne was getting worse, but I was working out in a full face of makeup, and then heading to class for a few more hours. Recipe for disaster, right? Since then, I’ve gotten much better about planning ahead.
Check out the products I’ve started keeping in my gym bag that helps soothe my skin barrier while I stay on the go!
Pre-Workout Cleanser:
Once I get to the gym, I head straight to the bathrooms and take out the essentials: a good sports bra, shorts, running shoes, and my skincare. Just like fueling yourself before and after your workout is crucial, so is starting your workout with a clean face. I’ve been using Estée Lauder’s Nutritious 2-In-1 Foam Cleanser which is infused with sweet kelp, red algae ferment, and coconut water ferment, which has been great for my skin because – to put it simply – my skin is difficult.
I have an overly oily T-zone, extreme dryness around the eyes and mouth, acne, and eczema to top it off. So, anyone with similar skin, or anyone with oily skin or enlarged pores will benefit from this cleanser as it deeply cleanses away the extra oiliness. I know it’s super tempting to just pack makeup remover wipes but using a cleanser is more environmentally friendly and will make you feel more refreshed, and you can start your workout with a focused mindset.
Skin Glowing, Booty Growing (not really):
When I’m working out, my non-negotiables are my headphones, a towel, and, of course, a water bottle. While the 12-3-30 workout is my go-to when I need a quick gym session, if I’m not willing to sweat profusely that day, I’ll grab some barbells for upper body exercises. Once I’m done, I make sure to wipe away any sweat with a clean microfiber towel and cleanse the used equipment with some disinfectant spray.
Pro Tip: If you have to touch your face during your workout, make sure to sanitize your hands before and after! I promise you don’t want to be spreading gym germs on your face.
Post-Workout Recovery:
Once I’m done working out, I head back to the bathroom to change into non-sweaty clothes. The biggest tip I have for a mid-day gym session is to pack an extra pair of socks and underwear. There’s nothing worse than sitting in a lecture hall with warm sweaty socks!
To make sure my skin is prepped for the rest of the day, I gently rinse my face and put on the Nutritious Melting Soft Creme/Mask Moisturizer. The Nutritious collection is formulated without synthetic fragrances or colors which is so important for sensitive skin. If my skin is feeling especially irritated or dry, I put on a thick layer so it serves more like a mask. It works great to calm and strengthen my skin barrier, which helps soothe my eczema and acne.
Since post-workout practices are just as important as the workout itself, I fill up my water bottle before heading out so my body and skin stay hydrated. After fishing around my bag for a mysteriously old protein bar, I’ll munch on it as I head to my next class. When I get back to my dorm, I toss my workout clothes into the laundry basket, pack a clean workout set for the next day and hop in the shower.
Balancing my academic schedule with working out is something that has definitely taken time to master. Throughout college, I’ve constantly been on the journey of improving my emotional and physical health, which includes my skin. As someone who’s struggled with their fair share of skin concerns like eczema and acne, following a gym skincare regime has made me feel more comfortable and confident.
I hope my tips have given you some inspo for your own gym skincare routine. Now let’s go crush our next workout at the Wooden Center!
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