Running is a great cardiovascular exercise that provides lots of benefits for your physical and your mental health.
In this post we look at what exercise does to your skin, share tips for protecting skin from some of the most common running skin care complaints and recommend natural skin care, deodorant and sunscreen for runners.
Does running give you better skin?
Running is a sport that gets your blood pumping and, when you run, you boost your circulation. This gives your skin a fresh burst of the nutrients that it relies on for a healthy glow.
However, running is also a sport that makes you sweat and this can be a problem for those prone to spots as well those that experience bad body odours or dehydration after running.
You may find that you need to adapt your skin care regime for running to support balanced, healthy skin.
Why do I break out after running?
If you get spots after you run, the likely cause of this is sweat-congested pores. If your face is not cleansed after running, sweat can remain in the pores and cause them to become blocked and prone to blemishes.
To reduce your chances of experiencing spots after running, simply cleanse your face as part of your post-run shower. We suggest using a foam cleanser for this as this type of cleanser has a gentle foaming action which will effortlessly lift sweat and impurities out of the pores.
Foaming Face Wash 100ml
Purify, tone and clear with this certified organic foaming face wash
£18.50
If post-run spots are a concern, make a Prebiotic face cream part of your skin care selection. Prebiotics supply your skin’s microbiome with ‘good’ bacteria that help counteraction the effects of spot-causing ‘bad bacteria’.
Our favourite face cream for runners is our Oil Balance Moisturiser, which features Prebiotics, Willow Bark Extract and Pineapple Extract.
Oil Balance Moisturiser 50ml
Balance and calm with our best organic day cream for spot-prone skin
£25.50
Best Magnesium lotion for runners
Applying a magnesium lotion after your post-run shower could also help to ease the discomfort of stiff joints after running.
For a light lotion that supports skin hydration from the inside out, choose Alexandra Kay’s Time to Restore Magnesium Lotion.
It features a concentrated solution of Zechstein Magnesium Chloride (16.5% of Magnesium Zechstein 31% solution (Magnesium Chloride).
While some Magnesium lotions can leave skin feeling dry, Time to Restore contains a blend of CB2-Skin™ Biofunctional and a moisturising matrix made from the Red Algae and Rice to leaving skin soft and strengthened.
Discover a soothing place with our Magnesium body lotion
£40.00
Alexandra Kay Time to Restore Magnesium Lotion 200ml
Best facial sunscreen for runners
For high-factor sun protection when running, choose Sports+ SPF30 Facial Sun Cream. A water repellent, 100% mineral sun cream that defends against UVA and UVB sun rays whilst keeping skin cool with a fresh burst of Eucalyptus essential oil.
If you prefer to use a scent free sun cream, our best facial sunscreen for runners is our Scent Free Facial Sun Cream SPF30.
Those that regularly exercise outside will love its broad-spectrum protection that defends against 97% of UVB sun rays.
Its spill-proof 50ml pump is also light and convenient to carry in your run belt, making it the perfect facial sun cream for long summer runs. As well as this facial sunscreen, we also have a range of natural sunscreens for the body.
Best deodorants for runners
Everyone will sweat when they run so applying deodorant is an essential part of skin care for runners.
All of our natural deodorants feature a blend of natural minerals and plant extracts that work in synergy to restrict the bacteria that cause BO without preventing perspiration.
- Prebiotics promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the microbiome and inhibit the growth of bacteria that causes BO
- Zinc Ricinoleate stop odour molecules from becoming airborne
- Potassium Alum helps prevent body-odour causing bacteria from multiplying
- Aloe Vera & Shea Butter soothe, hydrate and balance the skin
Best deodorant for female runners
We think our Aloe Vera & Prebiotics Deodorant is the best deodorant for female runners.
Scented by Sandalwood and Chamomile essential oils, its aroma perfectly balances woody notes with floral fragrance to create a natural deodorant that is not too overpowering.
Chamomile Oil also has excellent calming and anti-allergenic properties which makes this a great deodorant for female runners that are prone to armpit irritation.
Aloe Vera & Prebiotics Deodorant 75ml
Keep your skin beautifully fresh and balanced with our Aloe Vera deodorant
£13.50
Best deodorant for male runners
Men that prefer to use a freshly scented running deodorant should choose the Green People for Men No.9 Mint & Prebiotic Deodorant.
Effective at controlling the bacteria that cause BO, this natural deodorant for men is scented with cool, fresh herbal extracts, including Eucalyptus and Peppermint, an essential oil known to help relieve skin irritation.
Green People for Men - No. 9 Mint & Prebiotics Deodorant 75ml
Stay fresh with our cooling, certified organic minty roll-on men's deodorant
£13.50
Best foot cream for runners
A good foot cream is a skin care staple for runners and our Deodorising Prebiotic Foot Cream features a blend of natural minerals, prebiotics and plant extracts that effectively neutralise pongy foot odours.
This freshening foot lotion instantly soothes sore runners’ feet and has a cooling touch which comes from Peppermint and Eucalyptus essential oils.
Deodorising Prebiotic Foot Cream 50ml
Cool and refresh tired toes with our sole-soothing foot cream
£16.00
A lovely skin care treat for runners with dry heels is to apply this foot cream after every run, working its moisture-binding Shea Butter and Sunflower Oil actives into dry skin to restore softness and comfort to cracked heels.
For added softness, apply your foot cream just before bed or soak your feet in a bowl of warm water containing half a cup of Epsom salts. Doing this for 10 minutes once a week will help soften the skin and is a great way to draw tension and toxins from the body.
Best lip balm for runners
The other common running skin complaint is dry, cracked lips, which can be resolved by applying a good lip balm for runners.
One Balm comes in a 30ml pot which is ideal for keeping in your running belt. It nourishes the skin with natural actives known for their anti-inflammatory properties and their ability to soothe the skin and support skin healing.
An exceptionally versatile balm, it can be used to resolve all kinds of runners’ skin care complaints and can be used by runners as an anti-chafing balm, a runners’ lip balm and to soothe sore, cracked heels. It’s little wonder that Women’s Running Magazine recently described it as a ‘multi-tasking skin saviour’!
ONE Balm 30ml
Use this organic multi-purpose beauty balm to soothe lips, cuticles and dry skin
£15.00
Best massage oil for runners
If you feel achy after your run, our Time to Ease Muscle Relax Body Oil is just what you need.
Ideal for teasing tension out of sore limbs, this natural massage oil for runners combines the cooling essential oils Eucalyptus and Peppermint with warming Black Pepper Fruit Oil and Ginger Root Oil.
Providing enough slip for 5 full-body massages it also features a unique active called CB2-Skin™ Biofunctional which stimulates the skin’s CB2 cannabinoid receptors and calms the skin by reducing irritation and increasing comfort.
Alexandra Kay Time to Ease Muscle Relax Body Oil 100ml
Melt away muscle tension with this certified organic body and massage oil
£29.00
Are you a keen runner? For more help choosing the best skin care for runners, contact our UK customer care team on 01403 740 350.
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