I’m not a gym junkie, I actually hate sweating. But just like many other girls I feel guilty when I don’t make it to the gym or get any form of exercise (I also can’t spell exercise without spellcheck). I’ve been trying my best lately. I swim, run on the treadmill, cycle on the stationary bike, and I started using our new xbox one as a workout tool – there are great workouts by some of the famous trainers on xbox live, as well as a really cool zumba game that I’ve been loving. But after the effort, and the pride in your accomplishment, no one wants to look like crap when they leave the gym, or suffer from breakouts due to their sweaty skin later. Over the last little while I’ve be able to pick out what works for me and doesn’t as a quick fix and preemptive blemish control before I leave the gym.

First to take off those stinky shoes and shower, whether you’re at the gym or at home don’t wait too long. The quicker you wash off all that sweat the safer you are from future breakouts. I like to scrub both my face and my body with St. Ives Green Tea Blemish Control Scrub. It’s not too abrasive so it’s good for every day use and works really well to clean deep down into your pores and get all that sweat and dirt out. The scrub is hypoallergenic, oil-free and is formulated without parabens and contains salicylic acid.  Green tea is great for reducing redness too. Next is to fix the hair. Usually I’m not going anywhere after the gym, just home. But I never like to leave my wet hair to dry naturally without any products in it. So I just use a simple mousse, and I just use a little. There is nothing worse than having crunchy hair from mousse. I like the Dove Curl and Sculpt Styling Mousse, a really light-weight mousse that does the job of curling my hair and fighting the frizz, and is a much cheaper alternative than the usual styling products I reach for when I’m letting my hair dry naturally.

Next, just a tiny bit of simple face coverage. No need to go all out. A simple powder foundation does the trick. I like Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Ultra Smooth Pressed Powder in Medium 03. The powder is such a smooth and simple coverage that I love so much. It’s so easy. Some of those ‘makeup-less’ days at work feature a little swipe of this across the face. After the post-gym flush is gone from my face the only thing left is a little mascara, of course using my trusty Covergirl Lashblast Clump Crusher and a little lip moisture such as the Vaseline Rosy Lips, a little moisture and colour all in one. After a quick spritz of a body spray such as Bath and Body Works Black Amethyst then I’m good to go. Feeling refreshed, clean, properly put back together, and glowing from my post-gym workout high!

So keep at it my gym-hating friends. The more you push yourself the more satisfying and relaxing that face scrub will feel afterwards….at least thats what I keep telling myself.

What do you like using after the gym? Any suggestions?