Tammy Fender's Skin-Fixing Workout Moves + Pre/Post Skincare Routine

Tammy Fender, an aesthetician with over 25 years of experience in botany, chemistry, and medical science, first became known for her signature facials and post-op healing treatments. She now runs a holistic spa in Palm Beach, and encourages clients to incorporate exercise into their routines for optimum skin health and overall wellbeing—here, she recommends skin-fixing exercise moves plus the best pre- and post-workout skincare rituals (and no, it does not include splashing water on your face and drying with a paper towel at the gym!).  For so many of us, though the rest of the day is full to brimming with busy-ness, there is one hour we carve out just for ourselves—to exercise. And for anyone interested in skin health, this is an hour when some powerful natural magic can happen. Each week I mix up my morning workout routine, incorporating either yoga, stretching, Pilates or ballroom dancing. Over the years I’ve discovered several aspects of working out that are especially beneficial to the skin.

BEST SKIN-FIXING EXERCISE MOVES

Inversions: In yoga, handstands, headstands and poses like fish that arch back through the neck all help clarify the skin and purify the complexion by increasing circulation and flushing out the system by reversing the effects of gravity. I do these regularly.

Related: 7 Beauty Essentials to Pack in Your Gym Bag

Dance: Rapid, repetitive twists, bounces and shakes activate the lymphatic system, massively detoxifying the skin. Lymphatic fluids carry away toxins, and bouncing on the balls of the feet or shaking the arms from the wrist overhead gets that flow moving. Another piece of advice: dance to the music that makes you happy. Whenever your workout makes you smile, it provides great support for the underlying face muscles—lifting and training them—and buoys your mood. And when the feel-good hormones (endorphins) surge, levels of collagen-damaging stress hormones (cortisol) are lowered. I so often have a smile on my face when I dance, and nothing compares to the way it reinvigorates the body and spirit on every level.

Related: 7 Beauty Essentials to Pack in Your Gym Bag

Cardio: Whenever we perspire, the body rids itself of impurities, including cell-damaging free radicals, while clearing the pores and flushing out the system. Heightened circulation brings an abundance of oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells while supercharging our interior life force, the chi, dissolving energetic tension. Stretching: Taking time to stretch before and after a workout keeps circulation fluid, but it also removes energy blockages that can build up over time.

Related: A Brief History of Sunscreen

IDEAL PRE/POST WORKOUT SKINCARE REGIMEN

Of course, all these effects are optimized with a skin care protocol designed to burnish your active glow. Before exercise, I gently spritz the face, neck and décolletage with re-energizing Essential C Tonic, which is bursting with 100% botanical remedies to awaken the skin, including green tea and lemongrass. Increased circulation during exercise boosts the formula’s detoxifying effects. After working out, I cleanse the skin with Purifying Cleansing Gel, a bright blend of rosemary and spearmint. I indulge in another replenishing spritz of Essential C Tonic, and follow with an application of vitamin-packed Antioxidant Crème, blending rebalancing lavender with protective sweet orange. Radiance is renewed, and the body’s natural system supports this so beautifully.

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There are some incredible links between regular exercise and anti-aging. Like, seriously incredible. Worried about breaking out while working out? We've got you covered: here's the best workout gear for your skin.

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