There’s a reason why athletes are more prone to skin problems

While playing sports has a host of health benefits, it also makes one susceptible to wear and tear. Let’s start with the most basic and most visible: skin problems. Sports don’t just make you smell; it can also be damaging to your skin. Athletes may be more prone to them, mostly because of the following reasons.

We sweat a lot

Perspiration isn’t bad per se. It acts as a natural detox mechanism for your body.

If you let your secretions stay on for too long, however, your body begins to re-absorb sweat, which can lead to rashes or irritation. Towel off excess sweat during long stoppages to keep this from happening.

Sports are often played outside, where the sun is intense

Perhaps the most noticeable problem for athletes is coming home all brown—or even glowing orange—after a day of competition. Too much sun exposure leads to short-term problems like skin tightness and peeling, and sensitive skin and can lead to gory long-term damage as well. Use sunblock especially if you know you’ll be under the sun all day.

Your gear and clothing can rub you the wrong way

You’re not alone if you find yourself suffering from a mysterious pimple-like breakout after playing. Acne mechanica is triggered by heat and pressure or friction on the skin. You’ll find it in spots where your jersey and other gear chafes or doesn’t fit right. Even without the acne aftermath, though, clothes rubbing against your skin is a niggling issue that builds up hot spots on long game durations. They can easily distract you from giving a hundred percent.

You may be clean, but the facilities aren’t always as neat

Jock itch, athlete’s foot, and other awkward afflictions are the worst since you’ll be feeling them long after the buzzer sounds. This is less common nowadays, but we’d still never step into a gym shower without slippers on!

We can’t help but get dirty

No sport will leave you clean afterwards–you and the ball constantly pick up dirt from the playing surface. You get soiled from falling down or through contact with other players. And unless you have godly levels of self-control, you will touch your face with your grimy hands while playing to get rid of sweat or whatnot–and that’s the road to pore blockage, oiliness, and pimples.

These skin problems can be avoided with a little extra effort. Don’t let your gym clothes fester in the laundry for days and take a proper bath after every game–even when you’re feeling tired and lazy.

And since we all want that healthy post-workout glow rather than a hulas vibe, pay special attention to your face, using a product like Master Oil Control. It has Zeroil for up to eight-hour oil control, cooling menthol, and Anti-Bac to make up for all that dirt you rubbed onto your face.

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