The importance of post-exercise skincare for teens

Post-exercise skincare: how to protect your skin after a workout

Exercise benefits both body and mind, but it also affects the skin. In South Africa’s warm climate, with strong sun exposure and high levels of environmental pollution, post-exercise skincare plays an especially important role in maintaining skin health.

Physical activity increases blood flow and causes sweating, which helps regulate body temperature. At the same time, heat, sweat, friction from clothing, and environmental exposure can temporarily disrupt the skin’s natural barrier. These changes may alter hydration, surface pH, and oil production, making skin more prone to irritation, redness, and breakouts if it is not cared for properly (Lambers et al., 2006; Draelos, 2018).

What happens to your skin during exercise

During exercise, sweating and heat affect the skin’s surface environment. Moisture loss can occur, surface pH may increase, and sebum production can fluctuate. Together, these changes weaken the skin barrier, which normally protects against bacteria, irritants, and pollution.

When the barrier is compromised, the risk of inflammation and blemish formation rises (Rawlings & Harding, 2004; Elias, 2005). In South Africa, high UV exposure and urban pollution place additional stress on the skin, particularly for outdoor training and sport (Diffey, 2004; Liu et al., 2018).

A simple post-exercise skincare routine

Step 1: cleanse

Sweat alone does not cause acne. When it mixes with oil, dirt, sunscreen, and dead skin cells, it can clog pores and contribute to breakouts (Zaenglein et al., 2016).

An effective post-workout cleanse should remove impurities without stripping the skin. Upenya’s Exfoliating Cleanser uses gentle plant-based surfactants and natural fruit acids to lift away sweat, makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil in one step. The formula supports the skin’s natural balance while helping keep pores clear.

Step 2: rehydrate and support the skin barrier

After cleansing, skin can feel tight or dehydrated. Restoring hydration and reinforcing the barrier are essential for recovery.

The Upenya Moisturising Gel combines jojoba esters, marula oil, niacinamide, honeybush leaf extract, turmeric root extract, inulin, and probiotic aloe to hydrate, soothe, and strengthen the skin.

Jojoba esters and marula oil resemble the skin’s natural lipids, helping reinforce the barrier and reduce moisture loss. Niacinamide supports barrier function, regulates oil production, and improves tone and texture (Bissett et al., 2005). Honeybush and turmeric extracts provide antioxidant support and help calm visible redness.

Inulin and probiotic aloe act as prebiotics, supporting beneficial skin microbiota that play a role in barrier integrity and resilience (Lambers et al., 2006; Taylor et al., 2019). Together, these ingredients help maintain hydration and improve the skin’s ability to recover after exercise.

Step 3: use targeted treatments when needed

For blemish-prone skin, gentle exfoliation with salicylic acid encourages natural cell turnover and helps keep pores clear (Fabbrocini et al., 2010).

Upenya Blemish Care combines salicylic acid with marula seed oil and hydrolysed jojoba esters to support the barrier while treating breakouts. Salicylic acid provides targeted exfoliation, allantoin helps calm irritation, and vitamin E (tocopherol) offers antioxidant protection. This balanced approach helps manage blemishes while maintaining skin comfort.

Step 4: protect your skin from the sun

South Africa has one of the highest UV indexes globally, making daily sun protection essential (Diffey, 2004). After exercise, apply a broad-spectrum, sweat-resistant sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher.

Use a generous amount and reapply every two hours, or sooner after sweating or towel-drying. Sun protection supports long-term skin health and helps prevent post-inflammatory pigmentation following breakouts.

Conclusion

Post-exercise skincare is an important part of maintaining healthy, resilient skin, particularly in South Africa’s challenging climate. Cleansing away sweat and impurities, restoring hydration, supporting the skin barrier, treating blemishes gently, and protecting against UV exposure all contribute to balanced skin.

Caring for your skin after a workout is as essential as caring for the rest of your body. With a consistent, evidence-based routine, skin can remain calm, clear, and better equipped to handle both environmental stress and physical activity.

References

Lambers, H., Piessens, S., Bloem, A., Pronk, H. & Finkel, P. (2006) ‘Natural skin surface pH is on average below 5, which is beneficial for its resident flora’, International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 28(5), 359–370.

Draelos, Z.D. (2018) ‘The science behind skin hydration’, Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 11(5), 23–27.

Rawlings, A.V. & Harding, C.R. (2004) ‘Moisturization and skin barrier function’, Dermatologic Therapy, 17(Suppl 1), 43–48.

Elias, P.M. (2005) ‘Stratum corneum defensive functions: an integrated view’, Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 23(6), 1178–1186.

Liu, W., Wang, C., Lu, Z. & Maibach, H.I. (2018) ‘Pollution and skin: from epidemiological and clinical evidence to molecular mechanisms’, Dermatologic Therapy, 31(4), e12677.

Zaenglein, A.L. et al. (2016) ‘Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris’, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 74(5), 945–973.e33.

Taylor, S.C. et al. (2019) ‘Addressing the challenges of treating acne in skin of color’, Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 12(4), 37–44.

Fabbrocini, G. et al. (2010) ‘Acne scars: pathogenesis, classification and treatment’, Dermatology Research and Practice, 2010, 893080.

Bissett, D.L., Oblong, J.E. & Berge, C.A. (2005) ‘Niacinamide: a B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance’, Dermatologic Surgery, 31(7 Pt 2), 860–865.

Diffey, B.L. (2004) ‘Climate change, ozone depletion and the impact on ultraviolet exposure of human skin’, Physiological Measurement, 25(2), R115–R123.7.