These past few weeks I’ve seen many of my fellow crazy insane dedicated and devoted running friends braving the elements to get their runs completed outside. I am with you sisters! We winter running ninjas spend a lot of time talking about apparel and layering up for runs but often overlook a very important aspect: Skin Care. Winter Running can wreak havoc on your skin if you are not prepared. I am no doctor, of course, but I am sharing my Tried & True Winter Skin Care Tips For Runners.
Tried & True Winter Skin Care Tips For Runners
Humidify
Sleeping with a humidifier nearby does wonders for your dry winter skin. Yes they can get kind of gross after a while and do require upkeep but it is so worth it.
Minimize & Moisturize
The first thing that I want to do after a long, chilly run is escape to long, hot shower. I know that this indulgence is actually making my skin more dry. Minimizing the shower time in the winter and staying away from unneeded body washes does help to keep your skin from drying out as much.
Post shower, choose a thicker cream to moisturize your face and body with in the winter time versus a lotion. Your skin needs the thicker coating and protection in the winter time that a cream offers. Save the thinner lotions for summer time. Don’t forget to give your eyes some love each night with a thicker eye cream.
Protection During Winter Runs
Even though your face may be covered partially by a scarf, hat or balaclava, it is still important to protect your skin from the elements. I have been scolded by my Dermatologist many time about skimping on the sunscreen in the winter time. On very cold or windy days, I love to put a light coat of Aquaphor on my face before heading out. It really creates a nice barrier from the wind.
Hydrate
Many winter runners (myself included) skimp on the hydration during winter runs. Since your sweat may evaporate faster due to drier air, it’s even more important to pay attention to your hydration and water intake.
Foot Care
I am not sure that runners’ feet are ever pretty, but there are a few “steps” you can take to give them some extra love. I am a huge fan of putting on Aquaphor then big fluffy socks right before bed. The Aquaphor really moisturizes while you sleep and you will wake up with much softer feet. Of course I am also a fan of monthly pedicures (in a salon or do it yourself)
You can find these & more products I use (affiliate link) in my Confessions of a Mother Runner Amazon store.
Have any Tried and True Winter Running Tips for me?
Linking up
Fairytales & Fitness and Running on Happy
My skin has been so dry this winter, especially my hands! Some nights I put on a thick moisturizer and sleep with cotton gloves. I just got a pedicure yesterday and it was amazing!
Pedicures are the best! Hoping to reward myself with one this weekend too
I have noticed that my skin chafes a lot easier in the winter. I basically have a scab on my hip from my running pants that just stays there. lol sorry I know that is gross!!!
OH now! When I get those chafe marks I start using Aquaphor on them before the run. It really is my cure all lately
I love a heavy cream and fluffy socks to take care of my feet. Thanks for sharing!
That is my favorite way to care for my feet-AAh!
This is GREAT! I’ve been using a shea butter cream from Whole Foods on my body–smells like lavender. But when I run in the bitter cold, I slather Vaseline all over my exposed facial skin to protect it from the elements. I read that defensive linemen use it on their arms and it holds in the heat. It works great!
Yes same idea with the Vaseline as the Aquaphor it really does give you a nice layer of protection. It’s kind of my cure all at the moment
I’m very bad at this. I can usually remember to get my face but that’s it. Great tips!
Give it a try it makes a huge difference really!
The humidifier is a great tip! I’m going to start doing that for sure. My biggest skin issue in the winter is chapped lips. I always load up a big layer of chapstick on my lips before I head out the door to run.
Yes the chapped lips are the worst! I load up the Aquaphor on my lips before heading out gives a nice protective layer
I am NOT an outside winter runner. I a cold weather whip x100. So at least im saving my skin
Yes I suppose you are! For some reason I keep getting a spam issue the last few times I comment on your blog so hope you are still seeing them somewhere
Great tips. I’m such a weirdo I do nothing to protect my face in winter other than a balaclava and sunglasses but I’m crazy about foot care. Go figure.
Well we need to change that! Your face will thank you 🙂
I really need to take better care. It’s so dry here year-round! I’m terrible about moisturizing after my shower (except my hormone cream lol). Thanks for the reminder. Especially about the humidifier. That would be really helpful.
Wow I don’t know how you live out there without a humidifier. When we go out to Vegas that’s the first thing I ask for in my hotel room
Great tips! My feet really need some TLC…I need to lotion them up a lot more! I usually avoid getting pedicures because I don’t like my feet being touched!
Try the lotion at night under your socks it really does work
I am pretty good about putting on moisturizer before a run outside. Now I’m moisturizing my hands like crazy too.
I know it’s just been so dry. I have been washing my hands more too bc everyone is sick so they are even more dry
I’m using Burt’s Bees at the moment for my face. The facial lotions were too thin, and the Colorado winter is so dry. I started using it on my feet too because those are dry. It’s not easy being a runner.
I like the Burts bees for lips but as you say the lotions are too thin. Probably better for summer. Try the Aquaphor I swear by it for everything
All great tips.
I am pretty lazy about this but ii always make sure I have moisterizer on my face & lips.
It makes a huge difference for me!
Great tips! I definitely have been moisturizing + hydrating a lot more since the start of winter!!
It’s been challenging this winter for sure
My skin is extremely sensitive (and dry), so I’m always moisturizing, especially my face. Aquaphor is an awesome product…I have used it for years. Another good moisture-rich product is shea butter (or coco butter). I use a combo of that with vitamin E oil on “Vodlemort” a few times each day to help him as he continues to heal LOL
Oh how is Voldemort? Is it all healed?
Excellent tips!
I add extra moisturizer to my face when running outside, it keeps the skin in my face happy. And lip balm, always have to have my lip balm!
yes it really does help quite a bit!
I’m all about my humidifier for sure!! It helps SOOOO much!!!
It really does!
Love these skin care tips. Will definitely pass on to my runner friends!
Thanks! They really are great for everyone to take advantage of
My skin gets sooo dry in the winter… li like to lotion my feet and put socks on too – or my hands and put gloves on! So hard to cut back on nice warm showers in the cold weather!
So hard indeed! The hot showers are like a nice little treat
A humidifier is a must for me during the winter 🙂
They sure are! I am surprised by how much water they go through too
I’m not very good about sunscreen in the winter. eek!
Me either but I’ve had a few little things taken off of my face lately and that really scared me.
YES! I use Aquaphor too – these are all really great tips! We are going back to negative degrees so I am gonna need them 🙂
we are headed there too! Boo
these are great products! I’ll have to try aquaphor
It is kind of my cure all
I used to get made fun of all the time during crazy cold marathon training because I would come with vaseline all around my eyes and even on my cheeks. Lol. But it worked! It kept my skin nice and moisturized!
It totally works! You showed them
Great tips!!
My trick is to carry lip balm during my run. My lips get dry so much while running and the lip balm helps lips and surrounding skin.
They really do get so chapped and I have to try not to lick them
These are awesome tips! My skin has been so dry! I love using body oils!
body oils are great too!
Hydration is so important and so easy to forget about during the colder months. Great tips & suggestions.
I agree! Thanks Summer
Sunscreen is something I wear all the time, regardless if the sun is out or not. I have just recently started wearing ROC moisturizer for am and pm. I don’t think I have done it long enough to see a difference but my friend uses it and seems to really like it.
Well you will have to let me know about that!
I have been using Aquaphor on my feet since highschool and swear by it. These are great tips that can easily be applied.
It really works doesn’t it?!
When running and the wind is too strong out, I slather on vaseline on my cheeks and nose!
Yes exactly! I use Aquaphor but same ingredient. It really does help
I’ve never thought of a humidifier! Great tips.
The humidifiers are life savers at our house!
My skin gets so chapped and dry in the winter. Thanks for the great tips and recommendations!
Thanks for checking them out hope some of them work for you
I used to slather Aquaphor all over my skin, especially on my feet at night. I’ve gotten away from that, and really need to treat my skin better-especially my feet. With this polar vortex the past few weeks, I haven’t worn a stitch of makeup and for probably the past two or three years, my go-to for my face is Clinique Moisture Surge. It’s a little pricey, but it’s amazing. And literally, a little dab’l do you ya, so it lasts forever. I’ve been putting a light coat on my face before my winter runs and it’s done wonders for my skin.
I say if you find a product that works for you stick with it!
I swear by Aquafor! I smother it on my face and on my kiddos’ faces before we go outside. Lol.
It is the best!
This is so real. My skin goes CRAZY during the CO winters. Especially since I’m regularly running outside. I really need to invest in a night cream like that to calm it down a little bit. Do you love the Olay?
Susie | http://milehighdreamers.com
After using pricier department store moisturizers for many years, I went back to Olay and I really do love it.
Great tips! Living in Florida my skin does not get affected much by the winter, but this year it certainly has been! I need to moisturze all the time.
I really think it’s important for anti aging and sun damage as well.
Great post! Some of these things I never really thought of, but you’re right on the money!
Well thanks so much hope some of these tips are a help to you.
I’ll have to remember to use Aquaphor at night. My feet are in rough shape right now, especially since my weekly mileage has been increasing over the past couple of weeks.
Definitely give it a try on your feet!
I’m definitely an aquaphor girl when it’s cold out. That stuff is amazing at protecting the skin!
It is a real life saver!