Our passion for exercise and sports drives us to challenge our limits and improve ourselves day after day. But what about our skin? In our constant quest for physical improvement and well-being, we often neglect the health and appearance of one of our most important organs: the skin.
Why Should Athletes Take Special Care Of Their Skin?
Exercise can wreak havoc on the skin, clogging pores with sweat and dirt, and causing irritation and chafing. That’s why athletes need to pay special attention to their skin to keep it soft:
- Cleansing: It is essential to thoroughly cleanse the skin after each exercise session to remove sweat, dirt, and oil.
- Exfoliation: To remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores. A gentle exfoliation 1-2 times a week is recommended.
- Hydration: The key to keeping skin soft and supple, and protected from external aggressions.
- Sun protection: Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher before each outdoor exercise session. Reapply every 2 to 3 hours.
- It’s crucial not to scratch or pop any skin colored bumps, particularly if you’re managing keratosis pilaris, commonly referred to as chicken skin. Remember, popping KP will only make the condition worse.
If you are a sports enthusiast and want to keep your skin in optimal condition, you’ve come to the right place. Here we present a guide to essential products for athletes that will help you maintain soft, healthy, and good-looking skin, no matter how hard you push yourself during your workouts.
1. Post-workout shower gel
After an intense workout, it is crucial to remove sweat and impurities from the skin. A shower gel specially formulated for athletes can be your best ally. These products are usually enriched with moisturizing and refreshing ingredients, such as oat and sea buckthorn extract, which leave the skin smooth, soft, and with its natural shine.
Choose products that are gentle, soap-free, and sulfate-free to prevent skin dryness. Look for formulations that penetrate deeply to eliminate sweat, salt, dead cells, and clear pores of pollutants, which can lead to irritation and acne.
2. Anti-friction bar
Constant rubbing during physical activity can cause irritation and discomfort in areas such as the thighs, armpits, or nipples. That’s why an anti-friction bar is the ideal solution to create a protective layer on the skin, reducing friction and preventing the formation of chafing and blisters.
These products are made with ingredients such as coconut oil, aloe vera, and allantoin that keep the skin protected from chafing. Look for a water-resistant and long-lasting formula that will provide you with protection even during the most intense workouts.
3. Facial wash gel for athletes
Sweat and the accumulation of impurities during exercise can clog pores and cause acne breakouts or skin irritation. That’s why it is recommended to use special products for facial cleansing for athletes that are not aggressive with the skin’s natural moisturizers.
When it comes to a special product, specifically designed for this type of skin, it is safer to deeply cleanse the pores, removing excess oil and impurities, while neutralizing the effects of sweat. Search for products with ingredients like vitamin C, jasmine extract, apple amino acids, and cranberry extract.
4. Cream for bumpy skin
Incorporate special products: a cream for bumpy skin, especially in areas in dry and rough areas, such as the back of your arms, thighs, and buttocks, you can also use this cream in elbows and knees, a cream for bumpy skin is the most recommended solution to help soften dry skin and reduce the appearance of roughness.
Look for formulas enriched with shea butter, urea, and sea buckthorn, which help to remove dead cells and keratin plugs (a normal protein that sensitive skin overproduces) and promote cell renewal. That is, they have a natural exfoliating and repairing effect. Apply a generous amount to the affected areas after your post-workout shower and pat drying with a towel. For better results, use twice a day. This cream is not recommended for the face, which is more sensitive to urea 20%
5. Cream for rough feet
Our feet carry a great deal of load during exercise, and it is important to give them the care they deserve. A moisturizing and repairing cream can help soften rough and cracked skin, providing instant relief and preventing the formation of hard skin and calluses, even minimizing them when they already exist.
It is best to look for dermatological creams with natural oils such as avocado and peppermint that hydrate, refresh and soften the hard skin of the feet. Some other ingredients, such as urea, penetrate deep below the surface to hydrate and restore its natural and healthy texture.
6. Shampoo for Swimming and Sweating
Chlorine and sweat can wreak havoc on your hair, leaving it dry, dull, and lifeless. However, a shampoo designed for swimmers and athletes effectively removes chlorine residue and excess oil, leaving hair clean, soft, and revitalized without damaging or irritating the scalp.
Shampoos designed for athletes contain ingredients that act to remove minerals and other impurities carried during swimming that can make hair brittle and breakable. They are enriched with natural oils such as mint and eucalyptus, with nutritive effects that return hair to its natural state.
7. Moisturizing Lip Balm
Finally, don’t forget to take care of your lips, especially if you practice outdoor sports, as the wind, sun, and cold can dry them out and crack them, leaving them sore and uncomfortable. A moisturizing lip balm protects your lips from the elements and helps keep them soft and smooth.
Your best bet is to seek a product that offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, while also containing ingredients that deeply nourish the lips and seal in moisture to prevent painful dryness and cracking.
In summary, taking care of our skin is just as important as taking care of our body during exercise. With the right products, you can keep your skin soft, healthy, and radiant, no matter how hard you push yourself in your workouts. So don’t wait any longer and make skincare a part of your daily workout routine!
