Outdoor Workouts In The Summer? Save Your Skin!

Are you a runner, walker, biker, swimmer or kayaker? Do you work outside?  Garden, coach, construction, or maybe you're the guy by the roadside that waves the $5.00 for a medium pizza sign in the pepperoni costume?

To your skin, it's all the same, movement outside in the summer can take a toll on your skin, so . . . here are some solid tips to help keep your skin healthy &  fabulous!

During the summer skin has 3 main concerns when you spend part of your day in motion outside in UV, (ultraviolet) & increased humidity.    Sun Damage, Dehydration & Chafing

SUN DAMAGE.   
I'm going to save for another blog the dangers of sunburn (and tanning),   I'm going to assume you know that its REALLY bad for your skin.  Let's concentrate on how not to let it happen.



1.  WEAR SUNSCREEN SPF30+ WHEN OUTSIDE!
    (all caps so you know I really, really mean it!)
2.  APPLY 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO OUTSIDE ACTIVITY
3.  REAPPLY EVERY 1 1/2 - 2 hours 
    (yes I know it's inconvenient)
4.  WEAR A HAT
5.  AVOID BEING OUTSIDE 10am-3pm
4. REPEAT THESE STEPS!  "Just Do It!"

REMEMBER:  If you are taking sun sensitizing medications, OR exfoliating with scrubs, retinol, or alpha or beta hydroxy acids you need to wear sunscreen faithfully.

More Tips:

1.  Make It Easily Available.
Now if this nice young man (pic above)  had made sunscreen readily available, like having one in his car, his workout bag, and the beer cooler for the beach (and actually used it), he might not look like a lobster!

2.  Buy Different Sunscreens:
Buy sprays for convenience and moisturizing lotions with SPF30+ if you have dry skin.   Don't forget the lip balms with an SPF!  In a pinch, lip balms with an SPF can be used for noses, ears and cheeks!
   
Spray Sunscreens are easy and quick, can reach your back without help, dry matte, and you don't have to rub them in.   Here are 3  of my favorites:

Suggestions: 

Paula's Choice: 
Weightless Finish Sunscreen Spray SPF30
www.paulaschoice.com   (we carry this at the Studio)

Kinesys Performance Sunscreen:(sports spray)
I especially like that it comes in handy 1 ounce bottles.
www.kinesys.com

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreens

Sensitive Skin? 
Look for sunscreens that are mineral based (with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients).  Childrens sunscreens use these ingredients.  Remember avoid fragrance!  Here are a couple of suggestions.

Baby Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF 30+ Chemical Free Fragrance Free by Blue Lizard

Kids Natural Mineral Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 by Kiss My Face

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DEHYDRATION:
Skin lacking water can be a problem.  It can be more sensitive and reactive, itchy, tight feeling, flaky, more fine lines are visible, with minute cracks in the skin.   

Sweating and sun/wind exposure will dehydrate the skin, so moisturizing is as important in the summer as the winter, although we may need to change to a lighter product. 

And, yes, oily skin can be dehydrated.  The oil simply coats the skin providing a barrier to keep water (moisture) in.  If the oil has be stripped, with harsh cleansers, bar soaps, or over washing, the skin underneath can lose enough water to become dehydrated. 

Tips:
1.  Use gentle liqued cleansers to clean your skin.  Bar soaps and cleansing pads soaked in alcohol strip skin of oils and water. Try: 

Paula's Choice Cleansers:  We carry them for all skin types.  They won't strip skin and will remove make-up.

If you prefer cleansing pads try:

2-in-1 Daily Facial Cloths, Sensitive by Olay  OR
Expert Sensitive Cleansing & Toning Wipes by Boots (Target)
Fragrance Free Baby Wipes can work in a pinch, after a work out.

2.  Moisturize daily with lightweight toners, gels or light weight lotions that contain water binding ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and squalane. 

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Chafing
When sweaty skin rubs together, or against clothing the result is chafing. Chafing causes tiny breaks in the surface of the skin, leaving a red, uncomfortable rash.

This can happen any place where skin rubs together, thighs, breasts, underarms, and feet. 

Prevention is the key.

Tips:
1.  Apply a body protective lubricant (like Body Glide) or vaseline to the areas that rub together before working out.
2.  Wear tight breathable clothing.  Loose clothing can rub those areas raw!
3.  Watch the placements of seams on skin.
4.  Use baby powder or cornstarch to absorb sweat and moisture.
5.  Dry areas thoroughly after showering or swimming.  Stand in front of a fan while toweling off if you can. 
6.  Drink plenty of fluids.  The more you sweat, the more concentrated the salts in the sweat becomes and more irritating.

Take Care of Your Birthday Suit!   

Lisa

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