The skin of athletic women faces more punishment than your average person, more so when they spend lots of time training outdoors. This can mean extended periods of harmful sun exposure, and, in the case of swimmers, the constant rubbing of shoulders with chlorine. Even for athletes who train indoors, their skins still take a significant hit in terms of abrasion with training equipment and increased levels of dirt and sweat that come from working out. It is for these and more reasons that athletic women require a special skincare routine that factors in all these unique conditions we’ve talked about. Today, with a lot of insider help from a certain gym in San Diego, we break down just that.
Skincare routine for female athletes:
So how do athletes take care of their skin? Here’s the breakdown of the ideal skincare routine for female athletes:
1. Post and pre-workout cleanse
Do you cleanse before or after you train? We talked to an experienced personal trainer San Diego, and she recommends doing both. A professional athlete’s life often involves other aspects like meetings where you need to look your best. Most forget to take their makeup often when getting down to business at the gym, but therein lies the first mistake.
Working out with makeup is a no-no. This can block your pores, resulting in the accumulation of sweat and dirt as your skin suffocates. In the end, this can lead to:
- Dry skin
- Redness
- Acne and other skin blemishes
So should you take off makeup before exercise? Definitely. Wash your face before you train, or use a wipe. Moreover, cleanse as well right after you’ve completed your training routine. You should do this immediately because your pores can clog once more if you give the sweat a chance to settle and dry up.
Be sure to prioritize a gentle cleaner. Charcoal-based cleansers are particularly ideal for oilier skin, while products imbued with ceramides are a better option if you have dry skin. Conversely, prioritize ingredients such as chamomile or aloe vera if your skin is particularly sensitive.
2. Smear on the face mist
Is mist good for your skin? In many circles, this is often overlooked as merely scented water that costs a lot more than it should. However, face mists have many powerful benefits, some of which encompass:
- They can liven dull complexion
- Face mists can rejuvenate tired skin
- They improve skin hydration
San Diego fitness experts recommend you use a face mist prior to a moisturizer. This compounds its benefits, allowing your skin to lock in the hydration for longer. Often, the skin gets hot or tingly after an intense session. The right combination of face mist and moisturizer can provide relief and more long-reaching benefits.
3. Moisture right after
So what does a moisturizer do? Well, it’s in the name. It hydrates surface layers and helps lock down nutrients while additionally offering environmental protection from irritants. However, you should wait until any skin redness and elevated temperatures to return to normal before proceeding with this part of your skincare routine.
Apply the moisturizer once you’ve cooled down, and go with a non-comedogenic, lightweight solution if you’d like to play it safe. On the other hand, you want a product that contains antioxidant formulas if you spend much of your time training outdoors, exposed to pollution and dirt.
4. Don’t forget to hydrate
Regardless of the intensity of your training, one thing is for sure: you’ll lose quite a significant amount of water along the way. Your moisturizer alone won’t be as effective if you don’t replenish these lost fluids by drinking water so keep hydration in mind.
Specifically, the American Council on Exercise advises 2 cups of water (about 16 to 24 oz) for every lb you lose in training. But don’t just drink water after your sessions. As an athlete, your coach may have already told you enough times about the benefits of constant hydration, and generally female athletes should be aiming for at least four liters daily.
A few tips to make your skincare routine more effective
Certain habits that athletes have- or don’t have- can compromise the integrity of their skincare routine. We reached out to a few personal trainers San Diego and they had the following to say:
- Don’t touch your face in training: If your hair is often getting in the way, and you touch your face to remedy this, consider changing your hairstyle or tying it up into a ponytail got workouts. Overall, hard as it may be, athletes should resist the urge to touch their faces during practice or training. Doing so spreads more bacteria, dirt, and oil, further elevating the risk of clogged pores
- Use a face towel instead: As an alternative, use a clean cool towel to wipe your face when training. We advised going for polyester or bamboo. Both are lightweight, super soft, and eco-friendly, with bamboo in particular renowned for its natural antibacterial properties
- Watch what you eat: Nutrition is also an essential part of a good skincare routine. One San Diego personal trainer we consulted suggests lots of Omega-3s or fatty acids and vitamins A and C (think sweet potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes & bell peppers). Sunflower seeds and soy can also work wonders for your skin.
Finally, it all takes work and commitment. A routine counts for little if one doesn’t stick by it to the letter. So be sure to make efforts to ensure you stay the course. One way to do this is by setting reminders on your phone so you never miss a step every day.
Conclusion
Do you require assistance crafting the best skincare routine for athletes? Then check out the IronOrrFitness website. It boasts the most revered female personal trainer San Diego has to offer, with the gym having worked with athletes of all kinds. They are well-placed to guide your skincare routine, and can also offer guidance on nutrition and other overlooked dimensions to ensure your skin health and aesthetics.
