Sport and Skincare 101
It’s no secret that playing sport and keeping active is important for good health including the health of your skin. Whether you’re in the pool, on the sports field playing soccer or on the netball court, taking care of your skin with the right skincare is important to prevent acne, reduce irritation and improve skin hydration.
So why is skincare important when it comes to sport? Well, firstly the skin is the human body’s largest organ – it works hard to protect you but its thin nature means it requires care and attention to keep it functioning at its best. Think of your skin as your coat, you wear it every day – to keep your skin looking its best you need to look after it everyday especially before, during and after exercising and playing sport.
When we play sport and exercise, we sweat. Sweat has both benefits and disadvantages for your skin, so it is recommended that you treat it a little differently to your everyday skincare routine. Sweating is our body’s natural way of avoiding overheating - it purges salt, minerals, water, bacteria, oils, dirt and impurities onto the surface of the skin. As the moisture in our sweat evaporates, the surface of the skin cools down. While sweating has immediate benefits, leaving it on the skin for extended periods can clog pores and hair follicles, and aggravate acne. Sweat and moisture on our skin can also cause skin irritation and heat rash as well as flare up skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and cause skin infections. Read more about how sport impacts your skin here.
Following a few simple skincare steps before and after playing sport and exercising can reduce irritation, improve hydration and reduce the risk of breakouts.
Important skincare tips before playing sport and exercising
Wearing make-up during exercise is not ideal so removing make-up and excess product like heavy moisturisers before sport and exercise is the first step. Playing sport and exercising is sweaty business; the increase in sweat and oil appearing on the skin combined with make-up and heavy moisturisers can cause congestion in the skin and make the skin prone to breakouts. Using gentle cleansing wipes are a quick and efficient way to cleanse the skin, remove make-up and excess product before playing sport and exercising. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Wipes are a great option as they remove impurities and make-up from the surface of the skin without irritation. They are suitable for all skin types and are ultra-soft so can be used by even the most sensitive skin and won’t irritate the eyes!
Otherwise, if you prefer a deeper cleanse before playing sport and exercising, Cetaphil offers a range of liquid cleansers with varying degrees of foaming action for all skin types that are hypoallergenic, soap-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic so they won’t block pores.
If you have dry/normal skin and prefer a cleanser that doesn’t foam, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is the pre-exercise cleanser for you! It is a creamy cleansing formula, clinically tested to be gentle at removing dirt, makeup and impurities while preserving skin’s natural moisture barrier even after repeated washes. It can also be used with or without water, so also works as a great make-up remover!
If you have dry/normal skin but are looking for a creamy soap-free cleanser that foams, the new Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser is one to try before getting active as it is a rich cream to foam cleanser clinically proven to effectively remove pore-clogging dirt, oil and makeup without stripping or drying out skin. It maintains skin’s natural protective barrier and pH to preserve the skin moisture barrier leaving skin feeling hydrated after cleansing. Otherwise, if you prefer instant foam, Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser gently cleanses without leaving the skin tight or over drying.
Otherwise, if you have oily/combination skin, Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser is ideal to keep excess oil under control before and after exercise as it is a deep cleansing, low lather gel formula that is clinically tested to remove dirt, excess oils, and makeup without leaving skin dry or tight and preserves the skin’s moisture barrier.
Before you break a sweat, don’t forget to protect!
After removing make-up, the next step is sunscreen. If you are playing sport or exercising outdoors, applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 is essential not just in the summer months but all year round! Broad spectrum sunscreens provide protection from both UVA (ageing sun radiation) and UVB (burning sun radiation). How effective a sunscreen is depends on how well it is applied - most people do not apply enough (see reference number 1 below).
In fact most sunscreen users achieve an SPF of between 50-80% less than what is specified on the product label (see reference numbers 2,3 below). To achieve adequate SPF protection you should aim to apply 35mL (seven teaspoons) of sunscreen (see reference number 4 below) at least 20 minutes before going outside i.e. 1tsp to the face/head/neck, 1tsp to the chest/stomach, 1 tsp to the back, 1tsp to each arm and two 1tsp to each leg (see reference numbers 4,5). Sweat can remove sunscreen so it is important to reapply every 2 hours which also applies to water sports like swimming and water polo. Selecting a sunscreen from Cetaphil is easy as all Cetaphil sunscreens offer SPF 50+ which is the highest UV protection available in Australia* are broad spectrum with 4 hours water resistance. They are also fragrance and paraben free and offer tailored textures for different skin types i.e. dry, sensitive and oily skin. Cetaphil Sun Kids SPF 50+ Liposomal Lotion is an excellent sunscreen for dry, sensitive skin. Liposomal sunscreens deliver UV filters in the most efficient way possible so it can be easily and evenly spread across the surface of the skin helping to reduce irritation. It can be used head to toe in children from 6 months of age** as well as adults and nourishes the skin with glycerin, panthenol, aloe vera and Vitamin E. It also comes in a pump dispenser which provides a consistent amount of sunscreen for reliable protection.
Cetaphil Sun SPF 50+ Ultra-Light Lotion offers sun protection for oily skin types, including acne prone skin. It is oil free and non-comedogenic (so won’t block pores) lightweight and non-greasy. It is fast absorbing with a matte finish so doesn’t leave this skin looking greasy or shiny after application. It can be used head to toe and nourishes the skin with Vitamin E.
Important skincare tips immediately after playing sport and exercising
Immediately after playing sport and exercising it is important to remove sweaty clothing and shower to rise off sweat and change into clean clothes, especially if you have acne prone skin. Sweating creates a warm and wet environment for bacteria to grow – this is particularly important if you suffer from acne or are prone to breakouts! If you are unable to shower straight away, at the very least ensure you wash your face before you pack up and go home or go back to work. It is important to clean your face after excessive sweating to remove any bacteria and sweat residue that could potentially clog your pores and create pimples, blackheads or ‘sweat bumps’. It is also important to shower after swimming, particularly if the pool you have been swimming in contains chlorine as it can be drying to the skin and lead to irritation.
Opting for gentle cleansers like Cetaphil used in combination with cool or lukewarm water will help calm down any redness caused by blood vessels dilating during exercise to help release heat. It is also important to avoid vigorously rubbing the skin when cleansing as this may cause irritation. If you’re in a rush gentle cleansing wipes can also be used.
The final step after exercising is hydration, not just on the inside but for your skin too! Skin needs rehydration to make up for the moisture you’ve sweated out.
Applying lightweight moisturisers that won’t clog pores help to restore and rehydrate the skin. Cetaphil have a multitude of moisturisers to meet hydration needs of any skintype after sport and exercising. Cetaphil core moisturisers have a range of creams and lotions suitable for the face and body that are non-irritating, suitable for all skin types, and formulated with a Dermatologist backed blend of Glycerin, Panthenol and Niacinamide that work together to help prevent dryness, soothe, restore, and strengthen the skin moisture barrier.
Cetaphil Optimal Hydration is a range of face and body moisturisers specifically formulated to address skin hydration for sensitive, dry & dehydrated skin. Cetaphil Optimal Hydration offers multidimensional long-lasting 48-hour moisturisation thanks to exclusive “Hydrosensitiv ComplexTM” and Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic Acid is a powerful moisturising agent that effectively hydrates the skin and boosts elasticity due to its impressive ability to retain water. The newest addition to the Optimal Hydration range is the new Skin Replenishing Water Gel – a weightless cooling water gel that delivers immediate long lasting 72-hour hydration. It is formulated with slow-release technology containing Hyaluronic Acid paired with Polyglutamic Acid to provide long-lasting hydration.
Whatever your skin type, Cetaphil has your skincare needs covered when it comes to sport and exercise. Following a few simple skincare steps before and after playing sport and exercising will keep your skin as happy as you feel after being active!
References
Sunscreen mandatory statement: Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. Limit sun exposure and use protective clothing, hats and eye wear. Keep out of eyes. Reapply sunscreen regularly.
*Highest label claim allowed per AS:NZS 2604:201; Very High
**As per Australasian College of Dermatologists Position Statement. In children under the age of 6 months, avoiding direct sunlight, protecting with clothing and hats and using a physical sunscreen on exposed areas, is preferred.
ACD-Position-Statement-Sunscreen-December-2020.pdf (dermcoll.edu.au)
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