5 Skin Care Tips for Runners

Running or speed walking  is a great way to stay in shape, clear your head after a stressful day and to enjoy the outdoors. Exercise is important for a healthy lifestyle, which in turn will provide you with youthful, radiant skin. Yet, environmental exposure without protection can damage your skin, so here are five tips for runners to keep your skin in tip-top shape!

1. Always protect yourself from the sun.

If you’re running outdoors, you will definitely be exposed to the sun and other environmental aggressors. To protect yourself, try to run during off peak hours. The peak sun hours are between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. standard time or 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. daylight savings time. In addition to this, you will most likely be sweating. Therefore, you must protect your face with a cream that isn’t going to migrate down into your eyes or come off when you sweat, such as our Mineral Face Shield™.

2. The right clothing can take you a long way.

Don’t forget to protect the other areas of your body. Start by protecting areas exposed to the sun, such as your scalp! Wear a hat to prevent sunburn, and cover up areas like your shoulders and décolletage. We know you’re trying to stay cool, so try sports fabric shirts, but be sure they provide adequate protection. Loose, breathable shorts or athletic pants will also be helpful to prevent against chafing.

3. Stay hydrated and stop when you feel exhausted.   

It’s important to pay attention to the signals your body is sending you during exercise. Always make sure your body is hydrated pre, during, and post run. This will prevent you from feeling dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous, all symptoms of dehydration which should not be taken lightly. Overdoing it can take a toll on your skin (and in fact, onset signs of aging) so listen to your body when its signaling you to slow down!

4. Shower as soon as you’re done.

Sweating is your body’s way of naturally cooling itself down. On a run, your body will most likely be producing sweat as a way to keep its temperature regulated during exercise. Sweat mixed with the bacteria on your skin creates a hotbed for oil and acne, so hop in the shower to remove sweat and oil from your body. Give your face a deep cleanse and scrub your back to prevent breakouts and back acne.

5. Treat Your Feet!

While running, your feet endure stress. This is because the foot is active in both the landing and push-off phases of the running cycle, thus absorbing the shock of impact when you land. Along with this, when your feet rub against the inside of your sneakers, calluses and blisters will form and may sometimes be painful. Give your feet a soak with our deep cleansing method. If you’re a runner, your feet will thank you.

Once you start a running program, you’ll be hooked. However, don’t ignore your skins need or the strain on your feet. Happy running!