Sportsperson's guide to skincare and beauty

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

We all know how challenging cycling is for the skin and everybody has formed some sort of specialist regime, or tricks to assist this impossible task. So what don't we share our "on the job knowledge" and form a practical guide for female cyclists?

I'll start..

• I noticed that if I apply All About Lips (Clinique) on my lips and then seal it with vaseline or any other oil based non absorbent salve (Lip Conditioner/MAC, Lip Balm/Bobbi Brown, etc), it protects my lips from cracking when cycling even to really low (ice-y) temperatures..

 

[Peter Armstrong]

Get this sexist poop off

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

Yes dad!

 

[Peter Armstrong]

yes mum!

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

witty!

 

[Peter Armstrong]

Nitty!

 

[Spinney]

I just use any lipsalve (cheap ones, as I keep losing them), but reapply frequently.

(Not that I need to frequently stop for a breather, you understand...).

I don't do much in the way of 'beauty products' - use BodyShop body butter on my face, but it seems to work!

 

[Peter Armstrong]

My lips dont chap because im a man

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

Nitty!

quite so! Either way no business of yours!

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

(Not that I need to frequently stop for a breather, you understand...).

No, definitely! Neither do I.. however I do find my lips getting especially dry during steep climbs, you know?

 

[summerdays]

I'm with Spinney on the lipsalve - I have loads of the Nivea ones secreted into pockets, panniers, handbags etc, because I'm always misplacing them and wanting to reapply. In fact as I type I can see one lying on the floor beside the bed (I'm sitting on the bed not in it - it's just where the laptop is!).

My problem is hands - the minute it turns cold and dry (ish), my hands somehow turn into some dry wrinkly, scaley claws overnight - then I use a Body Shop hand and foot butter (Spa Wisdom Africa Honey and Beeswax), to try and return them to their former glory (well not the dry things they become).

 

[BigonaBianchi]

In wyoming this summer my lips finally gave in to the pounding they were getting...the snow was 3 feet deep in places over mckenzie pass in Oregon earlier in the ride and I think they got damaged then....but the heat , wind and lack of water in southern wyoming along with serious sunburn meant they were doomed....and bloody painfull it was to. So from then on I got serious about a chaps lip care regime.....lip balm...loads to drink....and riding with my lower lip covered by my upper lip all helped....along with painkillers.

The thing with lips is they dont seem to feel the burning while its happening like the rest of our skin...and they are the first to suffer the effects of dyhydration.

 

[Spinney]

(I'm sitting on the bed not in it - it's just where the laptop is!).

We believe you...

My problem is hands - the minute it turns cold and dry (ish), my hands somehow turn into some dry wrinkly, scaley claws overnight - then I use a Body Shop hand and foot butter (Spa Wisdom Africa Honey and Beeswax), to try and return them to their former glory (well not the dry things they become).

Are the dry hands as much to do with gardening as cycling? In my case at the moment, my hands are dry and flaky due to decorating!

I keep hands warm in winter with waterproof gauntlets (not sold as cycling gloves, but bought in a cycling shop from a rack with a handwritten notice from the shop staff saying that yes, they know they are not cycling specific gloves but they work....). When it's really cold, these have enough space in them to take thin woollen liner gloves inside. Keeping hands warm seems to stop too many skin problems (from cycling, anyway).

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

My problem is hands - the minute it turns cold and dry (ish), my hands somehow turn into some dry wrinkly, scaley claws overnight - then I use a Body Shop hand and foot butter (Spa Wisdom Africa Honey and Beeswax), to try and return them to their former glory (well not the dry things they become).

Same as that!
For me nothing works as good as the old fashion glycerin based creams. Cheap and effective, Neutrogena (the original is something like 40% glycerin) is still the best.. Mind you, I'm back to that one after spending a fortune in fancy ones (from Crabtree & Evelyn to La Mer). Having said that, when I feel like splurging I think Kiehl's Ultimate Strenght Hand Salve and Clinique's Deep Comfort do worth every penny..

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

In wyoming this summer my lips finally gave in to the pounding they were getting...the snow was 3 feet deep in places over mckenzie pass in Oregon earlier in the ride and I think they got damaged then....but the heat , wind and lack of water in southern wyoming along with serious sunburn meant they were doomed....and bloody painfull it was to. So from then on I got serious about a chaps lip care regime.....lip balm...loads to drink....and riding with my lower lip covered by my upper lip all helped....along with painkillers.

The thing with lips is they dont seem to feel the burning while its happening like the rest of our skin...and they are the first to suffer the effects of dyhydration.

ouch!!
(note to self: do not cross america with a bike.. even if it's a Bianchi!!)