The Athlete's Guide to Skin Protection: How Sweat & Sun Impact Your Epidermis

If you’ve ever spent a Saturday morning attempting to morph into the next Paula Radcliffe or Mo Farah only to discover you’ve transformed more into a red, sweaty tomato, this one’s for you. 

Let’s dive into the juicy world of sweat, sun, and skin. Grab a capa-chuu-chuu (or a rehydrating Tailwind), and let’s demystify some epidermis enigmas!

Sweat: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

1. The Good: Our bodies, bless them, have evolved a stellar system to regulate temperature. When we’re working hard, say, chasing after an impossible personal best, our body produces sweat. As it evaporates, it cools us down1. Picture it as nature’s very own air-conditioning system, albeit a bit more...wet.

2. The Bad: However, the downside to all this fabulous internal air-con is that prolonged sweat can mess with our skin. Sweat isn’t just water; it’s a cocktail of salts, proteins, and urea. While a little sweat won’t harm, allowing it to dry on the skin can lead to irritation and, if you’re particularly unlucky, the dreaded athlete’s acne.

3. The Ugly: Combine sweat with friction (thank you, sports bras and tight Lycra), and you have a recipe for some serious chafing. And, take it from us; this can soon kerb your enthusiasm!

Sun & Skin: Frenemies?

While we’re on the topic of athletic outdoor activities, can we talk about our closest star? That’s right, the sun. It gives us vitamin D, beautiful tans, and beach days. But like a questionable ex, it also has a dark side. UV radiation can accelerate skin ageing and, more seriously, as we all know, lead to skin cancers.

And guess what? Sweat can actually increase the sun’s effects acting like a magnifying glass on your skin, intensifying the sun’s rays. Although not likely to cause too much of a challenge in blighty in the winter, it could be the double whammy you didn’t ask for in the summer.

Sweet Solutions for Sun & Sweat

1. Hydration: It’s safe to say that drinking water is a tad more essential than sipping the latest vintage. By staying well hydrated, you help your body produce the sweat it needs to regulate your temperature when pushing hard.1,2

2. Cleanse ASAP: After you’ve smashed that workout, hop into the shower. Clean skin = happy skin. You want to remove any bacterial build-up, and dare we say make-up residue. Use a gentle cleanser to remove sweat, and avoid scalding hot water (tempting as it might be). 3

3. Sun Protection: The sunblock aisle isn’t just for beachgoers. Athletes, it’s time to stock up! Go for a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen and reapply every few hours. Don’t want to stop mid-run? Try our Life Jacket SPF 50+ Sun Gel, it won’t let you down. 4,5

4. Chafe-free Champions: Avoid skin grievances by using moisture-wicking clothing and an anti-chafe stick. Trust us; your thighs will thank you.

5. Natural Recovery: You’ll find a range of holistic products on Ready Sweat Go. Have a look at our Tailwind recovery drinks and Corrine Taylor Epsom bath salts to help soothe weary bodies. Nature’s answer to soothing and healing athletic skin. 6

In Conclusion

We athletes are a tenacious lot. We push our bodies, come rain, shine, or, in the UK’s case, endless drizzle. Our skin, the ever-patient trooper, bears the brunt of our athletic ambitions. But with a little TLC, some laughter, and the right products, we can keep it looking and feeling tip-top.

Now, lace up those trainers, slather on some SPF, and remember - while sweat might be the mark of hard work, let’s not let it mess with our get-up and glow!

References:

1) https://www.wku.edu/news/articles/index.php?view=article&articleid=2330#:~:text=The%20body%20water%20has%20an,body%20prevents%20itself%20from%20overheating
Western Kentucky University

2) https://extension.usu.edu/nutrition/research/maintaining-hydration-a-guide-for-endurance-runners#:~:text=Important%20functions%20include%20temperature%20regulation%2C,order%20to%20regulate%20its

Utah State University

3) https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/beauty/skin/a44807747/pre-post-workout-skincare-routine/

Women's Health

4) https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/#:~:text=Sun%20safety%20tips,at%20least%20factor%2030%20sunscreen

NHS

5) https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/melanoma/risks-causes

Cancer Research UK

6) https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00745.2016

Journals