There’s nothing quite like heading for a run to enliven the senses, right? All those endorphins surging through your system can be addictive – hence the reason it’s such a popular pastime for active-minded people. However, you don’t want this great experience to come at the expense of your skin’s health, so it’s vital to wear sports sunscreen to protect it.
In fact, there are a bunch of other things you should be doing to keep your skin safe against UV rays, and that’s the main focus of this blog. So, if you want to know more – stick around the end!
Using Sports Sunscreen is Just One of Many Things You Can Do
Any regular runner should take wearing sports sunscreen as being an absolute must and a great starting point, but it’s far from the only measure you can take. Let’s take a short look at some of the things you can introduce into your running routine to keep your skin looking as young as your exercise makes you feel. They include the following…
- Run when the sun is low or gone altogether! Your skin is at the most risk when the sun is at its highest point in the sky – between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you want to minimize the impact it has, try running later in the day or even at night. If that’s not possible, choose routes with ample shade, such as parks or tree-lined roads.
- Choose light, long-sleeved, moisture-wicking clothing. Covering up with running clothing is also another good idea, although you need to stay cool at the same time. You can cover almost your whole body with long-sleeved, moisture-wicking, breathable tops and leggings, accompanied by a baseball cap and sunglasses.
- Take a water bottle with you always. Hydration is always important when exercising, as you’re expending a lot of energy while you’re out on the trail. Also, UV exposure can exacerbate dehydration, so be sure to take a water bottle with you every time you go for a run so that you can keep yourself topped up – especially on hotter days.
- Reapply sunscreen after working out. Sunscreen for sports people is usually water-resistant, meaning that it won’t slide off your skin when you sweat. However, they only do that for a maximum of 40 to 80 minutes. That’s why you should reapply it after your workout shower if you’re heading back outside into the sun.
Sports Sunscreen Keeps You Safe Even When You Sweat!
The major difference between sunscreen for sports and regular products is that they keep protecting you even when you sweat. They also keep you protected for up to 80 minutes if your favored sports happen to be water-based, like water skiing, canoeing or swimming. However, regular sunscreens don’t.
When wearing regular sunscreens, sweat and water will simply wash off your skin in little to no time, which is why it’s necessary to reply right after you’ve gotten wet for any reason whatsoever.
All that said, it should only be one of several things you use to keep your skin in tip-top shape when you’re out exercising each day. Keep what we’ve talked about here in mind, and you’ll get your whole body in shape – and that includes your body’s biggest organ!
