Count the calories, weigh the protein, celebrate the sweat. But while you’re busy building a stronger body, your skin and hair negotiate an entirely different workout. An hour of jogging in the park can mean prolonged sun exposure, friction from tight leggings, a scalp trapping dust, or chlorine attacking coloured or treated hair.
Skincare, then, might just need a tweak, depending on how you exercise. Here’s our guide.
A morning run sounds wholesome enough. Except your skin is exposed to UV radiation, heat, pollution, sweat and whatever you’ve applied before leaving home. Padel calls for more time spent outdoors too. The fix: Choose breathable clothing that doesn’t rub against the skin. Clean equipment before use, dry off with a fresh towel and change out of sweaty activewear promptly. If breakouts repeatedly appear in the same place, investigate what’s touching your skin. Parwani also suggests using softer hair ties instead of tight scrunchies, to prevent hair damage over time. The fix: Skip heavy makeup and layers of skincare before class. Don’t wear tight-fitting clothes. Allow yourself to cool down afterwards. Rehydrate well. Prolonged or particularly intense sessions may require electrolyte replacement.
“Wash the scalp according to its needs, rather than following a rigid number of shampoo sessions per week,” says dermatologist Dr Shefali Trasi.
For some exercisers, the trouble starts when entirely new routine begins: Double cleansing, exfoliating, shampooing, scrubbing and applying skincare with so many active ingredients that the face becomes a chem lab. This will show up as skin tightness, redness, stinging and breakouts that persist despite impeccable hygiene. The fix: Lukewarm water, less vigorous scrubbing, a gentler cleanser that you can use multiple times a day, clean towels and pillow cases, and moisturiser will generally do the job. Save stronger skincare for your regular routine.
“For people training 5-6 times weekly or doing two sessions daily, repeated cleansing, hot showers, and frequent application of active ingredients can impair the skin barrier faster than sweat,” warns Dr Sharad.
