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Running and bad skin!
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My skin is just as bad as it was when I was a teenager (now 32) - but does anyone else find that running (i.e. sweating) makes it worse? Any ideas on how to improve matters rather than stop running??!!
I find it incredibly upsetting sometimes, and I'm reluctant to step up running more often, as it will just get worse. Any suggestions welcome!!
I find it incredibly upsetting sometimes, and I'm reluctant to step up running more often, as it will just get worse. Any suggestions welcome!!
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It might well be worth doing some research into diet and nutrition or looking at every aspect of daily living to see if there something that you could change to help.
I've tried so many thinks - every tablet and topical solution known to man, and seen specialists, etc. I haven't tried a nutritionist yet, cos I can't afford it. I eat pretty well, and have made a few changes over the years (including giving up smoking and drinking), but nothing seems to make much difference.
I'm on a low today particularly, so thanks for the response! Any suggestions truly welcome. Not sure what in my diet I would change to be honest!
If it's any consolation, I have the opposite problem. Huge red patches of dry skin caused by sweating. (And boy does it sting when the sweat gets in there!)
The only thing I can suggest is to make sure you wash the sweat off as soon as you possibly can. And tea tree oil is a fantastic cleanser and anti bacterial thing. You can get it here http://bodycareuk.co.uk/acatalog/Bodycare_UK_Tea_Tree_Tea_Tree_Oil_Products__5.html (sorry - I can't do links)
Maybe putting on tea tree oil to kill any bacteria before running will help too?
Having bother with red patches in the armpit area. VERY itchy, and flaky too. Started with anti-fungal cream, now onto steroid cream (betnovate I think) for eczema and also using Doublebase to moisturise. Definitely worse after racing, and is recurrent. Thought I was allergic to my own sweat! Will try tea tree oil, thanks Loz.
Usually down to poor hydration.
I know that sweat can make it worse and over heating as I have very thick hair so I make sure I wash well sounds daft but a quick bath is not going to get rid of the sweat and your pores are open which can lead to bacterial infections sorry everyone eating their dinners!!
I have been using Liz earles cleanse and polish and her spot on which is a tea tree remedy got to say my skin is lovely now I had dry patches on my face and they have gone too! its a little pricey well I think it is dont go in for all this designer stuff bit of a chav lol! but its sooo worth it they have trial sizes my son and Daughter uses it aswell!!
have a look
www.lizearle.com
I wash my face as soon as i get in from running, first with warm water to keep the pores open and clean them out, then a few splashes of cold to encourage the pores to close up again. Still not happy with my skin though, but think it could be worse if i didnt make the effort to keep it clean.
Also, maybe connection with where you run. I live near Birmingham city centre, so quite a lot of pollution in air i'd imagine.
I agree with Scrummy, use a natural cleanser, it won't be particularly cheap, but will last for ages and do the job. Liz Earle or Eve Lom (my favourite). Try washing your face before you go out and put on a thin layer of moisturiser to protect it from pollution. Running first thing in the morning before the traffic gets going can be good for avoiding too much pollution.
If you've already changed what you eat then you're already heading in the right direction.
Good luck with it, and don't worry, it sounds like you're in good company!
One of the problems I guess is that I leave the house at about 6.30am, travel to London and get all greasy, and don't get back home until 8pm - when I clean my face. I also know that I (apparently) scratch my face in my sleep, which really doesn't help!
I'm sure one day I'll 'grow out of it' ... but it's nice to know there are others out there in the meantime! Thanks everyone
- Try changing your bed linen esp. your pillow case more often. Towels also.
- Don't touch your face without washing your hands first.
- Get more sleep.
- Use a lighter moisturiser & less of it. I used to use a wrinkle prevention cream that set my skin off.
- Get an exfoliating facial sponge & use it often (Boots or Body Shop).
- Take Evening Primrose Oil supplements. I ran out last month and as my skin was clear, didn't bother getting any more. And now, my skin has broken out again.
Personally, I don't think that using harsh anti-bacterial products will do you much good. I was presrcibed Zineryt for mild acne when I was younger - it cleared up my skin for a short while although it started affecting the texture & then stopped working altogether.
Good luck.
My hubby suggested wearing gloves at night too, so I might try finding some cotton gloves to stop me scratching in my sleep.
I can't use an exfoliating sponge as my skin's too sore - I do use a scrub occasionally though, not sure whether it helps!
I think you're probably right about the harsh products - I was thinking of chucking it all out and switching to tea tree products - simple and cheap!
Try a flannel if you can't use a sponge. As long as you spread it out to dry between usage & boil wash it every now & again, it should be fine. You do need something to get the dead skin/make up off & I've never found exfoliants work that well. Your skin will certainly look the better for it.
Stress ball sounds like a good plan. I have a ball of wax on my desk at the moment.
I know a lot of ppl that like tea tree but I can't vouch for it myself. Evening Primrose is the only thing that seems to work on a long term basis for me.
I got some evening primrose and plain witch hazel wash & lotion this morning, so I'll try those for a while. I have some Vitamin A night gel prescribed, but I don't think it does much, so i'll opt for something less abrasive and see what happens!
Another tip - try to keep your hair off your face. I also seem to get less spots when I tie my hair back at night & during the day. Probably another dirt/grease thing.