The Skincare Brand for Women Who Workout.

I workout. I lift weights, I run, I practice yoga which in turn, means I sweat. Quite a bit. And whilst working up a sweat is great for your skin, lots of showering isn’t. It can strip away natural oils and key lipid components from the surface. Insert clogged pores, redness and irritation here!!

Just a few things that I’m quite familiar with unfortunately. I’m annoyingly prone to all of the above, so in somewhat of a desperate bid to improve the look and feel of my skin, I tried out the Pretty Athletic range. A skincare brand dedicated to helping women who sweat look after their skin pre and post workout.

Recent stats have shown that 51% of women don’t cleanse their face after exercise and 78% of women don’t know which products to use alongside their gym routine. I’ll put my hands up and say I’m probably in that bracket!

I don’t really have skincare routine and I don’t wear that much make-up – I’m definitely a less is more kind of girl. But this is where Pretty Athletic can help.

Leyla Cooper, founder of Pretty Athletic, came up with the concept when she realised lots of brands put an emphasis on sport, but these products were aimed at men. The skincare needs of women pre and post exercise are overlooked. But, women sweat too!

Pretty Athletic promises to make it easy. No gimmicks, no fuss and no nasties. They promise that their products are lightweight, refreshing, hydrating and nourishing. Everything I think my skin NEEDS more of.

Did I also mention the products are 95% natural, vegan* and packed with essential oils rather than fragrance. The products also contain scientifically proven actives and nutrients that are vital for healthy skin no matter how much or how hard you sweat.

So how did it all hold up? I was sent some of the products to try, and these are the ones that have found a firm place in my new and improved skincare routine!

1. Workout Glow: Hyaluronic Vitamin Tonic.

We all know how important cleansing our skin is, but how many of us do it pre-workout? Pretty Athletic recommend cleansing pre and post workout which actually does make a lot of sense. Not only will it remove any left over makeup from the day before, it’ll also help wake you up if you’re an early bird like me.

Spritz directly onto your face or onto a cotton pad, sweep across the face and you’re set! This particular product has really helped my skin go back to normal post-workout.

Shop the Tonic here.

2. Instant Refresh: Invigorating Shower Scrub.

This might be my favourite product from the range. Micro-bead free, the shower scrub has a beautiful zesty lemon smell which leaves you feeling refreshed and clean after working out. The scrub isn’t too harsh and it lathers really well. It buffs your skin without needing a body buffer. Win win!

Shop the Scrub here.

3. Hydration Kick: Gel Body Moisturiser.

One of my pet-peeves is trying to put on a pair of jeans after moisturising and not being able to get them past your ankles because your skin is still tacky.

If you’re the same, then you NEED to get this moisturiser. It soaks into your skin really quickly meaning you can put your jeans on stress free. The moisturiser also has super natural refreshing smell which I prefer over super fragrant lotions and potions. A little also goes a long way!

Shop the Moisturiser here.

4. Cool Down: Purifying Gel Cleanser.

I won’t lie, I was skeptical about this particular product because it was going straight on my face.

HOWEVER, I was pleasantly surprised. The formula is designed to improve skin hydration, reduce oiliness and prevent exercise related breakouts. It also really helped with reducing redness.

Containing ingredients such as aloe vera, cucumber and chamomile, this cleanser is super soothing and feels really light on your skin.

Shop the Cleanser here.

5. Recovery Boost: Cell Repair Serum.

This antioxidant rich serum is designed to soothe, repair and fight the signs of environmental damage – perfect after that long Sunday run when your face feels tight and a bit congested.

If you’ve watched any of my recent IG stories, you’ll know I’ve been running a lot more, so this has been my go to afterwards. I’d recommend using it in the evenings just before bed as it is a slightly oily. The jasmine and rose scents also smell amazing.

Shop the Serum here.

*Vegan & Cruelty Free

Since making the decision to try Veganism, I’ve been paying a lot more attention to the ingredients in everything I come into contact with. Which is why I was delighted to find out that Pretty Athletic are certified by The Vegan Society.

The Vegan Society are an independent charity which assess products to ensure they do not contain animal ingredients and the processing aids in the manufacturing process are also vegan.

This is the PA philosophy and attitude toward animal testing –

‘We have a strict ingredients policy which means all our products are 95% natural, with essential oils blends rather than fragrance. No parabens, silicones, sulphates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, plastic micro-beads or MI. We never test on animals’.

Working out puts our bodies through its paces and it makes us feel good – let’s extend the same courteously to our skin!

Do you have a particular skin care routine that you swear by? Does it change the days you workout? I’d love to know!

You can buy Pretty Athletic products online at https://prettyathletic.com/ or in selected Waitrose stores.

Follow Pretty Athletic on Instagram @prettyathletic.

Amy xo.

This blog post was kindly sponsored by Pretty Athletic.