Skin Care for Athletes… and the Athletically Inclined

Athletes put their skin through more and are exposed to the elements (i.e., sun, wind, rain, chlorine) more than sedentary people. Athletes are consistently sweating, training and showering, which leads to excessive loss of moisture to the skin and hair. Most city water systems contain chlorine; once the pores are opened from a warm shower or bath, the skin absorbs chlorine like a sponge. Chlorinated water can cause or exacerbate dry skin and rashes, and the inhaled steam can aggravate sinuses and lungs.
But chlorine is not the only chemical of concern. Adults put up to 126 unique chemicals on their skin each day, and up to 60 percent of what is put on the skin is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. One of every five adults are potentially exposed every day to all of the top seven carcinogenic impurities common to personal care product ingredients: hydroquinone, ethylene dioxide, 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde, nitrosamines, PAHs, and acrylamide. The top most common impurity ranked by number of people exposed is hydroquinone, which is a potential contaminant in products used daily by 94 percent of all women and 69 percent of all men. Although these exposures may be small, they add up within the body. How do these affect an athlete’s performance in the long run?
With the recent crop of media attention about chemicals in drinking water, lead levels in cosmetics and phthalates showing up everywhere, more athletes (whatever their performance level) are looking for an organic and natural approach to personal care products. This goes hand-in-hand with their already diligent approach to their exercise, food and supplement regimen.
Another good reason why athletes should also be using our Sense Beautiful Science skin care line in addition to other selected USANA nutritional products.