Smart Ways to Protect and Care Your Skin on Sports Day

We're calling on all athletes and sports enthusiasts to reconsider their sports skincare routines! Sports keep you healthy, active, and up to a challenge, which is why we enjoy them so much. Moreover, with National Sports Day just around the corner (29th August, for those who do not know), the buzz around sports is at its peak. We know you're ready to step on the field and show us what you're made of!

Playing outside, however, means you have to deal with the sun, pollution, dirt, and sweat. All of these things can do damage to your skin. But worry not! We have made this guide on Sports Day skincare tips and tricks to help you combat the issues that arise from playing outdoors. Read on!

First and Foremost, Remove Your Makeup Well

One of the primary causes of acne on the face is wearing makeup while being physically active. When makeup and sweat mix together, the pores on the skin get blocked, causing it to break out.

Therefore, removing makeup before any game is an important Sports day skin care & makeup tip.

Cleanse Your Face before and after You Play

You should never skip cleansing before playing any sports—this can lead to breakouts. Using a wipe can make the process of cleansing your face easier if you don't have much time before your game.

On the other hand, after you’re done playing, the resulting sweat can clog your pores and leave you with blemishes. Hence, you should clean your face gently with a mild cleanser post any sports to remove dirt and sweat that have accumulated on the skin's surface.

Wash Your Hands Regularly

Athletes often use equipment their teammates are also using, such as a ball, bat, or other equipment.

The proper way to keep your skin clean and free of germs is to wash your hands before and after practice and games.

Hands off Your Face

We all know how it goes, sweat pours down our faces, and we desperately try to prevent it from getting into our eyes. Thus, you wipe your face; sometimes with a towel, and other times with your dirty hands. 

However, if you touch your face to wipe away sweat after touching game equipment, it can contribute to the bacterial spread. If you want pimple-free skin, dabbing your sweat away with a clean towel instead of harshly wiping your hands with your unwashed ones is a better option.

Don’t Forget the SPF

It's a no-brainer to use sunscreen regularly. If you're going to be exposed directly to the sun's harsh rays, however, you need to use a more effective sunscreen in your skincare for sports.

Consider using a waterproof broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF between 30 and 50 that stays on even if you sweat buckets. Despite being waterproof, sunscreen does not repel water, so reapply every time you step out of the pool or towel off.

Hydration Is Key—Inside and Out

Despite not having dry skin, playing sports outdoors dehydrates your skin. To lock in moisturizing goodness, layer on hydrating skincare products. Start with a serum, apply a moisturizer, and then finish with a facial oil. Make sure that you always have a face mist available to easily provide water to your skin when it becomes thirsty.

Also, remember to drink plenty of water after you’re done playing, in order to replace the fluids you lost through sweating. It will keep you from feeling lightheaded and thirsty—as well as ensure your skin doesn't become dry, itchy or dull after a workout.

Wear a Headband

When sweat mixes with your natural oils and hair products, it can run down onto the skin and clog your pores.

Hence, you should wear a headband during sports if you are prone to spots on your forehead and around your hairline. 

Wear the Right Sports Kit

A lighter, looser-fitting workout tank, such as an oversized one, will reduce the amount of sweat that gets trapped against the skin. Likewise, a good-fitting, second-skin pair of co-ords may help reduce the friction that is responsible for acne breakouts. 

In addition, when choosing your activewear, consider fabrics with good breathability and sweat-wicking properties. These fabrics will keep you cooler and prevent unnecessary sweating.

Take a Quick Shower

You should take a quick shower with a moisturizing shower gel right after a game if you tend to sweat a lot. This sports day skincare tip is especially important if you have commitments afterwards and therefore no time to use other products. This will keep your skin clean and moisturized in no time!

Shave and Exfoliate in the Evening

Shaving and exfoliating are best done in the evening (twice a week for exfoliation), after cleansing. When you exfoliate, you remove dead, dry skin cells, allowing the brightest, healthiest ones to emerge.

By preventing dead cells from blocking pores, it reduces breakouts as well. Before shaving, it's especially important to exfoliate since it prevents clogging of pores, minimizes razor drag, and lifts the whiskers into an optimal position for shaving.

Eat Healthy Food

Maintaining good skin also requires eating healthy foods. As a practicing athlete before a big game, you might be on the move more frequently than others. Rather than hitting the vending machines for snacks and sodas, you should make healthy eating and drinking choices.

When you eat junk food and chocolate, your skin will look oily rather than healthy. For example, carrying a protein bar in your bag will tide you over until you have access to fruits and vegetables.

The Bottom Line

Despite sports' undeniable benefits, they can also damage your skin if you don't care for it properly. But this shouldn't stop you from bringing out your sports gear on the National Sports Day.

Simply take note of these skincare and makeup tips for sports day, and you're good to go!

Have any suggestions to add? Let us know in the comment section below.