Being physically active is important to keeping fit and healthy. Did you know it can even affect the condition of your skin?  On the plus side exercise increases blood flow and body temperature which in turn helps oxygenate and bring more circulation to the skin.  This further increases lymph flow, and overall skin vitality.

On the flip side, if you exercise regularly it can take a toll on the skin’s surface without even being aware of it.   From dehydration, and photo damage when exercising outdoors, to dry hair, nails, feet and skin when swimming or sweating, to breakouts when touching the skin too much or from pressure and friction caused by exercise gear that rubs such as hats, helmets, exercise equipment, tight undergarments, or other occlusive clothing.

Unknown to most of us, infections are the most common cause of skin problems in athletes, according to Dr. Brian Adams, associate professor at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Dept. of Dermatology.  It is important to use hand sanitizers, wash hands frequently, and follow some of these simple skin saver tips.

1. Invest in soft, 100% cotton washcloths. Simple as it sounds, what you use to wash with and rub on your face makes quite a difference in skin sensitivity. Using the softest, cotton allows you to cleanse the skin without over stimulating it.  For very sensitive skin, get  cotton“baby diapers” to use as washcloths.  Believe it or not, they are they softest most gentle fabric we have found.

2. Cleansing your face after playing a sport is very important, but it is important to use a non-soap cleanser. This will keep away dirt, oil, bacteria and surface debris, but not over dry the face. Our Gentle Face Wash rinses away surface pollutants, grime and makeup without even a hint of irritation.  Follow with a hydrating toner such as our Balancing Tonic and of course moisturizer to give the skin the healthy, hydrated glow.

3. Select the right sunscreen for your skin type. When dealing with skin that is dry, rough and or acne prone, it is important to know your skin type and to determine if it is dry, oily, or a combination. Control Corrective offers a variety of non-comedogenic (non pore clogging)  sunscreens for all skin types. Because we have many more sebaceous glands on our face than our body, do not assume that the “cheap” body sunscreen works well on your face

4. Tie your hair back during work outs or use a headband. Hair styling products can irritate the skin resulting in clogged pores and acne breakouts. If you do tend to get more breakouts due to sweating while you exercise then you can apply our Sulfur Calming Mask. This creamy comforting mask helps to reduce inflammation and decongest pores. If you breakout in your scalp with small bumps or flakes, try using our Salicylic Wash 2% prior to shampooing your hair.  (It can be left on 30 seconds, then rinsed out – very effective and simple to add).

Becoming more aware of how you can help your skin retain it’s moisture, reduce breakouts, sun damage and dryness by implementing several small shifts during your fitness routine will definitely help you look AND feel healthy over the years.