Women's Running

Keep my skin healthy during exercise?

Exercise, as we well know, is one of the very best ways we can boost our mental and physical health, but something we often overlook is the challenge of keeping our skin healthy in all that sweat!

We spend a lot of time thinking about which route to take and what gym kit to wear, but do you know how best to care for your skin when you exercise? “The key factor to consider is sweat,” says Gia Mills, co-founder of Skin In Motion (skininmoti­on.com).

As a pro/celebrity make-up artist who is passionate about skin, as well as a fitness lover and founder of sweat-friendly make-up and skincare brand, Skin in Motion, Mills has spent many years looking into what exercise and sweating does to the skin and how best to keep it in optimum shape.

“When we sweat, our pores open to regulate our temperatur­e, but also the grime from what is already on the face seeps into the pores and mixes with the impurities that are expelled with the sweat,” she says. “This means that, as you start to cool down after your workout, your skin will re-absorb dirt and this can lead to skin concerns such as acne, dehydratio­n, skin irritation and rashes.”

Sweat’s not all bad, though. “There are amazing positives to sweating when we exercise. It’s a sign that the warm-up phase is over, and you are entering the performanc­e zone. Once you are in t he performanc­e zone, sweat will regulate your body temperatur­e,” she says. And that’s not all. When we sweat, water hydrates, minerals and salt naturally exfoliate, and urea and uric acid combat dry skin and dermatitis.

There are also studies which say that sweating can help protect skin from bacteria like E.coli and staphyloco­ccus aureus by secreting a rather nifty natural antibiotic called dermcidin. “Sweating purges the skin of bacteria, dirt, oils and impurities,” adds Mills. “The optimal pH factor for the skin is the same as the pH factor of sweat.”

So how can we benefit from the good bits of sweating without the negatives?

It’s all in the prep

Wash your face before you work out if you have been out and about already. “It will help reduce impurities going into your pores as you work out,” says Mills. “We designed our Purify It Witch Hazel cleansing water for this, but as long as you remove excess dirt any cleanser will suffice.”

If you need to use a moisturise­r, opt for a very light one or a hydrating mist. “Heavier moisturise­rs can act as a barrier, sealing in the sweat and preventing it from evaporatin­g,” states Mills. “If you are outdoors, apply a sunscreen with an SPF that is sweatproof and make sure you check how long the SPF lasts.”

Glug, glug, glug

Keep drinking water… the higher the water content in perspirati­on, the lower the chance of skin irritation. “Water adds minerals, acids and proteins to sweat, reducing the skin’s pH imbalance,” says Mills.

Cleanse and cool

“If you’re not able to shower straight after your workout, be sure to clean your face,” advises Mills. “If you’re acne-prone, an on-the-go cleanser can help prevent clogged pores that lead to pimples.”

It’s also a good idea to add hydration back on to your skin, ideally by applying a light moisturise­r or hydrating mist as you cool down. “Continue to drink lots of water during this phase; it’s by far the best way to keep your skin hydration levels balanced.”

Should you slap it on?

There’s a lot of discussion around whether you should wear make-up while exercising. Mills advises: “My philosophy has always been, whatever makes you feel confident when working out is right for you, be it go-faster-stripe blue eyeliner, a touch of skin coverage or not a jot of makeup,” says Mills. “Just make sure that, if you do want to wear makeup, it’s a type that is healthy for your skin and stays put.”

Mills suggests a non-comedogeni­c (breathable) formula if you like a touch of coverage to help you feel ready to face race day or a hard session at the gym. It won’t add more dirt into the pores, but make sure it’s sweatproof. “Our Work It tinted moisturise­r is great. You won’t feel like you are wearing anything, and it’s breathable and sweatproof as well as hydrating,” she says.

“If you can’t bear the thought of going without eyeliner, mascara or brow pencils, I’d advise going for ones that are really sweatproof,” suggests Mills. “Black clumps on your lashes or dark rings under your eyes is never good, no matter whether you’re on the treadmill or running the routes near where you live. Our Lift It Waterproof mascara has been road-tested by GB athletes and by marathon runners and they attest to absolutely no panda eyes!”

|| Drinking water before, during and after your run is by far the best way to keep your skin hydration levels balanced ||

Amassive 64% of girls and women admit period anxiety puts them off their game, revealing the challenges women face with sport. This research, from Always, reveals the emotional and physical toll that periods can have. Recent trends such as menstrual mapping have given women the power to understand our bodies, but there is more to be done to tackle the inherent belief that periods are a hindrance to sporting ability.

Always, the official period product of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, wants to change this narrative by empowering women to redefine their relationsh­ip with their bodies, fostering a mindset where your menstrual cycle is not viewed as a setback but as a catalyst for unstoppabl­e achievemen­t when you are able to work with it. It has teamed up with British Olympian Jazmin Sawyers to launch its latest campaign, ‘It’s a New Period’.

This new campaign aims to empower girls and women to redefine their relationsh­ip with their body, so they can navigate both sports and daily life without the fear of limitation­s. By understand­ing their menstrual cycle, as well as the physical and emotional changes that accompany it and how to confidentl­y keep track of their cycle, young girls and women can feel empowered to work with their bodies and feel more comfortabl­e talking about periods.

Its Master your Menstrual Cycle Programme includes resources designed specifical­ly to educate girls and women on their menstrual cycle and how to work in harmony with their bodies.

Jazmin says: “As an athlete, I can relate to and understand the challenges that come with menstruati­on; however, I have learned so much about my body over the past few years that has helped me better understand it and therefore test my limits. I’m passionate about breaking down barriers for the next generation and together, we can create a world where periods are not seen as obstacles, but as a natural part of women’s lives, on and off the pitch.”

The programme is available for free download on the Always website (always.co.uk) and the National Schools Partnershi­p website, empowering educators, and coaches to support young girls and women as well.