Skin Care: Summer, Exercise, and Sunscreen

Everyone’s skin is unique, making it hard for general skin care to treat your specific needs. Fortunately, there’s a supplement to modern skin care that’s free and universally effective: exercise.

Our skin is the gateway between us and the outside world. Not only does it act as an important barrier between us and a harmful environment, it’s also the first thing we see when we look in the mirror. 

As such, it’s of the utmost importance that we protect our skin. The problem is, as great as modern skin care products can be, the effective ones are often overly expensive. And, as there is more than one skin type, it’s difficult for skin care treatments to work for everyone.

Skin Care: Summer, Exercise, and Sunscreen

Our skin begins to wrinkle and sag as we age because the natural processes that maintain our skin start to fail. Proteins like collagen and elastin, that keep our skin firm and elastic, slowly stop being produced as we get older. 

In fact, after age 20 collagen production decreases by 1% each year. This results in our skin becoming brittle and thin which contributes to the development of wrinkles.

Likewise, the oil glands that keep our skin hydrated dry up as we get older, making our skin drier and wrinkly - not that this is anything to be ashamed of!

Modern skincare treatments, like collagen-based creams and supplements, that claim to reduce wrinkles are not guaranteed to work. 

Since collagen production occurs deep within the skin, it’s almost impossible for collagen creams to penetrate the skin and have any effect. When it comes to these creams, there’s currently very little research supporting actual collagen restoration.

The only option on the market with actual evidence for restoring collagen is retinoids, but these often have harsh effects on your skin. 

At the end of the day, the most effective treatment for the skin is also the most natural: physical activity. Exercise undeniably increases collagen production in your body. But, not all 28 types of collagen in our bodies contribute to our skin’s firmness.

Exercising your skin or the muscles near your skin may increase collagen production directly affecting skin firmness in these areas. Current findings suggest that intense exercise over a long period of time, like running, is necessary for promoting collagen synthesis. More importantly than keeping our skin firm, exercise affects our body in a much more immediate fashion.  

Sweating and physical activity are inseparable. So, how does this affect your skin? For one, it keeps the top layer of the skin - which is responsible for protecting us from dehydration, toxins, and bad bacteria - healthy. On the other hand, physical activity often means getting out in the sun, presenting another risk factor for the skin.

Sunscreen is an absolute must here. As we head into the sunny summer months, here are some guidelines on sunscreen use:

Skin Care: Applying Sunscreen

• Apply sunscreen at least 20 to 30 minutes before you go outdoors, whenever you will be exposed for more than half an hour.

• Reapply every two hours while you are outdoors, even if the product is labeled “all-day.” If you get wet or perspire heavily, reapply sunscreen more frequently.

• Cover all exposed areas, including your ears, lips, face, and back of your hands.

• Apply a generous layer. Smooth it on rather than rub it in. A rule of thumb is that 45 ml (a shot glass worth) of sunscreen is needed to cover all exposed skin to attain the stated level of protection.

• If wearing makeup, apply sunscreen underneath.

• If you wait to apply sunscreen until you hit the beach, you may already be perspiring, and moisture makes sunscreens less effective.

The Best Sunscreen Ingredients for Skin Care

Since UVA and UVB rays are both harmful, you need to find sunscreens that protect against both.

Ingredients to look for include:

• Stabilized avobenzone

• Escamsule (a.k.a. MexoryITM)

• Oxybenzone

• Titanium Dioxide

• Zinc Oxide

Types of Sunscreen

The sunscreen you choose is a matter of personal choice, and may vary depending on the area of the body it’s protecting. Available sunscreen options include lotions, creams, gels, ointments, wax sticks, and sprays:

• Creams are best for dry skin and the face.

• Gels are good for hairy areas, such as the scalp or male chest.

• Sticks are good to use around the eyes.

Regardless of which sunscreen you choose, apply it generously to achieve the UV protection indicated on the product label.  

Skin care treatments deal largely with symptoms, whereas exercise is a natural process that helps the body to self-regulate and take preventative measures. Getting regular physical activity and always using sunscreen is the best thing you can do for your skin - have a great summer!