More from Prevention.com: How Dara Torres Stays Young Here, Dr. Ava Shamban, board-certified dermatologist and author of Heal Your Skin, breaks down the beauty benefits of a good sweat session—olympics-worthy or not: Suppress stress Vigorous exercise helps shut down the stress hormones (which cause belly fat) and divert oxygen and nutrients back to your skin. Regular exercise also promotes a healthy sleep cycle, which is vital to your skin’s natural repair and renewal processes. Anti-inflammatory benefits Exercise breaks the inflammation cycle in the body, calming and cooling your system. You’ll see less redness, fewer blemishes, and a faster turnover of dead skin cells. Improved circulation Exercise delivers and redistributes oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, resulting in a healthy-looking glow and an increased production of collagen and elastin. Mellowed-out hormones Physical activity not only reduces stress hormones, it also helps to control other hormonal surges responsible for acne and other flare-ups. Convinced? Us too. But before you lace up your sneaks, follow Dr. Shamban’s tips for keeping skin clean, protected, and blemish-free before and after your favorite workouts: Before you go: If you’re prone to oily skin, try to cleanse before you work out as an extra safeguard against clogging pores. Pay extra attention to the skin beneath clothing items that can increase the plugging of your oil glands like sweatbands and tight sports bras. If you’re running: Wear a water-resistant, full-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on your face and all exposed areas of the body, and reapply every 40-90 minutes. (Remember: This rule applies year-round!) Gear up with hats and sunglasses to help further protect your face while preventing wrinkly-causing squinting. Try to time your workout before 10 am or after 4 pm to avoid the strongest hours of sunlight. (Don’t be fooled by sketchy sunscreen claims! Here’s how to Decode A Sunscreen Label.) If you’re swimming: Apply a lotion or water-resistant sunscreen to create a protective, moisturizing barrier between your skin and the drying chemicals or salt in the water. Wet your hair and apply conditioner before swimming to moisten the hair shaft and keep it from absorbing chemicals, salt or impurities. Chlorine bonds to your skin, and removing this potent chemical as soon as possible will help prevent possible rashes, irritations, and dryness. Wash your swimsuit with mild laundry detergent after every swim. If you’re playing volleyball: What you wear matters. Choose lightweight tops and shorts that fit close to the body to allow skin to breathe while preventing chafing. (Yes, there’s a reason female volleyball players show up in that ooh-la-la gear!) Be careful not to share knee pads or other protective clothing and to wash equipment—and your hands—often, as MRSA is on the rise in contact sports like volleyball. Prevent blisters by wearing moisture-wicking socks and sprinkling shoes with talcum powder. (Here’s how to Never Get Another Blister.) When you’re done: Thoroughly cleanse skin right after exercise to clear your pores and remove sweat and impurities that built up during your workout. After cleansing, re-establish the protective barrier and oils that have been removed from your body and face with your favorite anti-aging moisturizer. (Need moisturizer suggestions? See our Wake Up To Better Skin.)
