It is very important to take good care of your skin every day, most especially if you are an athlete. Whether you are a professional athlete or a student-athlete, you need to take measures in order to keep your skin moisturized and avoid different skin conditions. Athletes usually spend more of their time sweating, whether they train outdoors or indoors. Therefore, it is important for them to protect their skin from sunburns, dry air, and excess sweet to keep moisture on the skin.
If you are an athlete, it is likely that your skin is always exposed to different conditions. If you train outdoors, you may encounter changing temperatures, weather, and harmful UV rays from the sun. Even if you train indoors, you still experience far more sweat and dirt compared to an average person who does not exercise regularly. Or, if you are a swimmer, constant exposure to chlorine may make your skin look dry.
If you are looking for ways on how to moisturize your skin after your training and games, you’re in the right place. Read on as we’re giving you some of the best moisturizing skincare tips for athletes.
1. Always wipe away your sweat.
While you spend lots of time perfecting every curve and muscle on your body, it is also essential to take some time for your skin. Sweat is the natural method of the body to cool and detoxify. However, when you leave the sweat to sit on the skin, bacteria will form, which will eventually cause breakouts. If you are always in a hurry after your training and you don’t have time to shower, you can wipe off the sweat once you’re finished using a body wipe. This will prevent blemishes and skin infections. Also, make sure that you change your wet gym clothes as soon as possible.
2. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen.
If you always train outdoors, it is very important to always apply sunscreen. It’s because the UV rays from the sun can cause dryness and other skin issues. Make sure that you use sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 50, and don’t forget to apply it on areas like your ears, the back of your neck, and your nose. Doing this will not only save you from sunburn but as well as from premature aging and uneven skin tones. Since you will be sweating, it is also great to use a water-resistant sunscreen with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB blocking. Keeping your skin protected from the harmful rays of the sun will help keep it moisturized and healthy.
3. Exfoliate your skin.
It is also a good idea to exfoliate your skin as this helps your skin to constantly renew itself. Using a good sugar or salt scrub will help remove the top layer of dead skin cells before they clog up your pores. If you are weightlifting, this may also help you get an edge on the stubborn deadlifting callouses, leaving your weightlifting hands moisturized and soft.
4. Soothe your skin with mist.
After your training or workout session, your skin may feel tingly or hot, especially right after your cleanse. When this happens, you can use a soothing face mist that is formulated with ingredients such as lavender or rose to refresh your skin. Mists also have the added benefit of hydrating your skin, and you can do this before you apply moisturizer. This will help retain water particles and lock them into your skin.
5. Always apply moisturizer.
When your skin is back to normal temperature and no longer looks flushed, apply moisturizer to it. It is better to use moisturizers that are lightweight and non-comedogenic that will hydrate and refresh your skin. Choose antioxidant formulated skincare products that will help restore your skin after being exposed to dirt and pollution outdoors that usually cause dry skin.
6. Moisturize your skin more in cold climates.
The colder the climate, the drier your skin can become. Therefore, it is important for athletes to apply body oil while still damp from bathing. After that, apply some natural moisturizing lotion to your skin. This will keep your skin moisturized and glowing even in cold weather conditions.
7. Keep your skin hydrated.
One of the best ways for athletes to moisturize their skins is to hydrate. Always make sure that you drink a lot of water because you are sweating a lot. You are not just hydrating your skin with moisturizer but as ensuring that your body replenishes moisture levels by drinking lots of water. The amount of water that you need to drink will depend on the kind and intensity of your sport or workout, and as well as the overall temperature where you are training.
These are some of the best moisturizing skin care tips that we can give to athletes. Being into sports and working out regularly is indeed fantastic for your skin and body. However, you also need to make sure that you take good care of your skin before and after your training to prevent damage and other skin issues. We hope this helped you learn more about how athletes can moisturize their skin.