All-Natural Skin Care Tips for Athletes
Did you know that there are over 12,500 chemicals for skin care products registered?
Out of all these, nearly 80 percent haven’t undergone evaluation for safety. Not by the FDA, CRI, or any other public body.
And on top of having potentially dangerous products, the market is also full of potions that promise too much and deliver too little.
If you’re looking to protect your skin from excess sweat, sunburns, or dry air, you’ll need to consider safe products and regimens that work as long and as hard as you do.
Read on for natural skin care tips for athletes.
Pre Workout
To begin with, never go for a work out with makeup. Keeping your face clean allows its pores to breathe properly as you exercise and sweat. With makeup, your pores stay blocked leading to acne or even blackheads.
If you’ll want to conceal the smell that comes with sweat, only use natural deodorants. Also, showering either in the morning or night before a workout keeps your armpits fresh and clean.
And don’t forget to carry a water bottle with you to the gym or field. Hydration is the key to excellent skin. It replenishes the fluids you lose through sweat.
During Workout
You should never touch your face during keep-fit sessions.
When you’re hot from exercising, your skin pores open up for perspiration. This puts you at risk of skin disease breakouts caused by bacteria contacted from gym machines, weights, yoga mats, and more.
Therefore, always carry a clean towel from home to wipe off sweat from your face and hands, as well as lay it down on the benches. You can use wipes or sanitizers to clean equipment before and after use.
Also, invest in a disinfecting spray to keep your yoga mat free of bacteria.
Post Workout
Do you know that you can get butt acne from sitting in sweaty clothes?
This is just one skin problem that can come after a workout. For maximum protection, consider the following post-training athlete skin care routine:
Shower ASAP
It’s vital to take a shower as soon as you finish a workout session to prevent rashes and acne.
Use a mild soap that gently cleanses your body and the face. You shouldn’t scrub your skin as it can cause severe irritation. If you can’t shower right away, at least wipe off the sweat and change your clothes.
Dry Your Skin Gently
Don’t harshly rub your skin after a shower.
Instead, pat it dry using a clean towel. It’s also advisable to apply natural body moisturiser while your skin is still wet. Find one with natural plant-based essential oils to benefit from its anti-bacterial properties.
Protect Your Skin
If you’ll apply makeup or sunscreen, ensure to first moisturise and tone your décolleté, neck, as well as the face.
This keeps pores open while restoring your pH levels. You may also need to apply a natural anti-chafing product to prevent painful skin damage, especially if your workout was outdoors.
How Athletes Can Naturally Deal With Common Skin Diseases
If you’re an athlete, you’re at risk of contracting the following conditions:
Blisters
Blisters mostly occur on the feet because of too much heat, friction, and moisture.
To combat a blister, drain it without tearing off the skin. Then, cushion the area with either a bandage or clean socks. This will make it heal quickly.
You can then prevent the re-occurrence of blisters by always drying out your shoes and avoid wearing them for too long.
Athlete’s Foot
This fungal infection mostly attacks athletes exposed to a lot of moisture such as swimmers, runners, and skiers.
Some of the symptoms for this disease include discoloured crumbly toenails, stinging sensations in your feet, and cracking skin.
With Athlete’s Foot, there are many remedies that offer natural skin care for athletes. The most common ones involve the use of either baking soda, organic tea tree oil, or hydrogen peroxide.
Skin Care Regimens Practised by Athletes
Consider the following skin care tips for athletes:
1. Moisturise More in Cold Climates
The colder it is, the drier your skin becomes.
For that reason, athletes should apply body oil while still damp from bathing, followed by a natural moisturising lotion, like one of our Body Butter or skin restoration balm. This keeps the skin glowing no matter the weather conditions.
2. Always Use Sun Screen for Outdoor Workouts
Sunscreen protects the skin from sun damage, which can lead to wrinkles and even cancer. For the best results, go for a high SPF sunscreen (preferably 55), and reapply frequently or every time your skin becomes wet.
3. Eat Healthily
Your skin and hair will glow when you’re drinking lots of water and eating healthy.
It’s advisable to occasionally gobble down a glass of beetroot-carrot-ginger-lemon juice. Beetroot has flavonoids that enhance the flow of blood, while carrots contain vitamin A, which is essential for healthy skin.
4. Prioritise Your Skin
It’s easy to get too occupied with your workout that you forget about your skin.
To avoid forgetting, get into the habit of undertaking care routines even before you eat breakfast. You can even start by naturally exfoliating your skin in the morning. This simply requires natural soap, oatmeal, and honey.
Here’s the process:
- Wet your face using warm water.
- Lather your hands (with natural soap).
- Pour rolled oats (one-fourth cup) into your soapy hands.
- Drizzle honey (one tablespoon) on the oats.
- Use small, circular motions to apply the mixture on your face.
- Rinse your skin with warm water, and then pat it dry.
This regimen removes any oily build-up and dead skin on your face.
Foolproof Natural Skin Care Tips for Athletes
Going natural is the safest way to healthy, glowing skin.
Hence, apply any of the above natural skin care tips for athletes to safeguard yourself from skin infections that come with extensive workouts.
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