As a health professional, I know the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle, and working out outdoors is a great way to achieve this. However, when exercising outside, it's crucial to protect your skin from both sun and wind exposure.
Outdoor exercisers are particularly vulnerable to skin damage from sun and wind. The wind can dry out and weaken the skin's outer layer, causing it to flake off and reduce the sun-protective effects of the skin's top layer, the stratum corneum. As a result, your skin can become more susceptible to sunburn, skin aging, and even skin cancer.
Even if the wind feels cool, you must protect yourself. High-exposure areas require double sunscreen application or sunscreen and a weather defence facial cream to protect from both wind and sun. These areas include the skin over the nose and cheekbones, which are often the most exposed.
In summer, apply a base layer of sports specific sunscreen to these specific areas, then another layer a few minutes later to the full face. Waiting a few minutes between applications allows the sunscreen to absorb fully into your skin, ensuring complete coverage in the areas that need it and maximum protection from the sun.
Image: Double Up the Sunscreen in Summer
In winter, apply a base layer of sunscreen to the full face, let it sink in and dry, then apply weather defence facial cream to these vulnerable areas over the top. Even on cloudy days, the sun's harmful rays can still penetrate through the clouds, so you should always wear sunscreen when exercising outdoors.
Image: Sunscreen + Weather Defence in Winter
Don't let the elements damage your skin. Protect yourself from the sun and wind while working out, and your skin will thank you for it.
