Skincare for Cyclists
We bike racers go to great lengths to take good care of our gear. We are diligent with our training and nutrition. We wear sunglasses to protect our eyes and helmets to protect our head. But, what are you doing to protect your largest organ - your skin?
I’m not here to push products or give expert medical advice - you do what works for you. But I am saying, if you ride bikes outside a lot, you probably should be doing something.
Over the years, seeing the consequences of unprotected sun exposure manifest in fellow cyclists (of all ages!), I’ve started to be much more diligent about my own skincare regimen. If you look at the faces of professional cyclists - many of them barely in their 30s - you see a lot of sun damage: scar discoloration, sun spots, premature wrinkles, etc. I’ve met more and more cyclists who needed surgery to remove cancerous tissue from their face due to a lifetime of cumulative sun exposure.
We are out riding as much as 6 days a week in-season, during the worst times of day when it comes to peak sun exposure, and often times in exposed areas with no shade. UV rays are temperature agnostic, so you can get a sunburn at a December cross race just as easily as during a July crit. You can suffer UV damage when it’s overcast. We can also sweat a lot when we’re riding, so sunscreen barely stays on for the duration of most of our rides. We really have the deck stacked against us.
Here’s a list of things I do to try to prevent further damage and to also help my skin recover. I hope to have healthy (and healthy looking) skin for many years to come. Maybe some of these are things that can fit into your routine.
1. WEAR A CYCLING CAP, LONG SLEEVES & Gloves
The best protection from the sun is a physical barrier. Short of wearing a ski mask all year round, a cycling cap can provide a bit of shade for your face (and your eyes). Wearing a cap can also be helpful if to keep rain water or sweat out of your eyes, and ticks from getting on to your head if you’re riding in the woods (gross!). Cycling caps come in an endless array of fabrics and designs - a great statement piece to add to your ensemble! Many cycling kit manufacturers also make summerweight, but UV protecting arm screens (Castelli’s UPF 50+ Light Arm Sleeves) or long sleeve jerseys (Machines for Freedom Summerweight LS Jersey), that feel cool even when it’s hot out. Got tattoos? Covering them can help to prevent premature fading. Don’t forget your hands - wearing gloves can help improve grip, prevent fatigue & road rash in the event of a crash, but also shield your hands from sun damage.
The Prisma 2 cycling cap by Castelli
2. Seek Shade
Waiting for a friend to change a flat, or having a mid-ride snack? Find a shady spot & chill. Pick routes that are shaded. You’ll feel cooler, be more protected from wind, and let’s be real, riding in the woods is often more fun than riding out on the street anyway.
3. Apply Riding/Activity Sunscreen
We sweat a lot when we race or ride hard, or if you run hot like me, pretty much as soon as I move on a bike. So, choose a product that works well for your skin type, that is sweat resistant, and reapply early and often. For facial sunscreen, we have had good experience with EltaMD UV Clear, ZBlock, and Sun Bum clear zinc. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your lips as well.
Sunscreen: apply it early, often & every day and don’t forget your lips!
4. Use Daily MOIsturizer with sunscreen
Consider applying a moisturizer with sunscreen every morning even if you work indoors. I sit by a window in my office, and am exposed to sun when commuting by bike, in a car or bus, or walking to lunch. So, why not just incorporate a light SPF moisturizer into the daily morning routine? My go-to daytime moisturizer is Clinique’s Superdefense.
5. Stick to A Cleansing Routine
I have pretty sensitive and sometimes dry/combo skin. So, I stick to a very simple and non-soap based cleansers. Sometimes I just rinse my face with some warm water and pat dry with a towel. Other days, I sweep my face with a cotton pad soaked with micellar water. Once a week, if that, I’ll use an enzyme exfoliant cleanser like Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleaning Gel. Choose products that are right for your skin/budget and that you’ll realistically stick to. You can usually get a free skin type consultation at department or specialty stores, and find what works for you.
6. Help your skin rest/repair at night
Night time is our body’s chance to heal and repair itself. I use the opportunity after cleansing to do a quick assessment to see if I notice anything that needs addressing. Do I have any breakouts, see any new spots or darkening, or any dry patches or redness? Based on this, I may use certain specialty made products to try to help heal whatever issue I encounter, or back off of anything harsh to let my skin rest. I apply a night moisturizer, which is especially good in the winter when our homes tend to be drier, and apply eye cream and a repair serum when I remember.
7. Extra protection for Scars
When we suffer road rash or other scarring, it’s important to keep any wounds or scars out of the sun, and to be vigilant about applying sunscreen once the wound has closed. The scar tissue could become hyperpigmented if not properly protected. For more on this front, see our prior recommendations for treating road rash.
Scars require extra vigilance to prevent hyperpigmentation. Related: read our entry, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TREATING ROAD RASH.
8. See a Dermatologist
Given the amount of time we spend outdoors, we should all be monitoring our skin for any changes that may be a precursor for a more serious condition. Go see a dermatologist for an annual preventative screening if you’re able - many insurance plans cover this - and seek the advice of a doctor if you see changes to moles, or other irregularities on your skin.
Our skin can easily be neglected given the litany of things we need to do on a daily basis. But, we owe it to ourselves to do the best we can to protect it, so it can keep protecting us while we enjoy our time riding outdoors.
I am a New Yorker who rides bikes of all kinds, sometimes runs, loves cats, and nerds out on transit justice issues. I am an advocate at heart and a member of the All Powerful Bicycle Lobby, though opinions here are my own.
Instagram: @luciadlite
Twitter: @luciadlite
E-mail: lucia@tobedetermined.cc
