I've been running pretty regularly now after coming off an ankle injury and I'm not gonna lie:
It feels GREAT.
Part of the reason, though, is that I've finally started running outdoors again. For several weeks, I kept it on the treadmill, just in case my ankle injury flared up and I was forced to abort. But after moving into our new home (wahoo!), I was lured back outdoors by the sounds of birds and bullfrogs right outside our door. I dunno about you, but I always find that running outdoors means I run faster and time feels like it goes faster. Treadmill running is so gosh-darn boring! Even when you're watching k-dramas on your phone!
However, there are a few "cons" to running outdoors. The first is the lack of easy bathroom access. If you're a woman and, in particular, a woman my age, that can be a BIG con lolol. Luckily, my gym is literally on my running path and I can stop in for a bio-break roughly every 4 miles, if necessary. The second con, of course is the unpredictable weather. There's no AC in the great outdoors to keep the temperature at a nice, even 68° F as you run.
Around here, it starts to get a little warm (for running) at around 8:30. When the sun is out, it can be even earlier. By the time 10 am rolls around, you're baking. And that spells trouble not just for your heart, but also for your skin and hair. I've been slathering on the SPF before my runs each morning and just yesterday, while washing up for the night, I noticed a bunch of small pimples on my head. I also noticed that the ends of my hair were starting to feel like an old paint brush--bristly and dry.
UGH.
Here's what's happening as the temps get higher:
Skincare in Warmer Weather.
- Your skin produces more sebum, which leads to more oiliness and potential breakouts (hence the sprinkle of pimples on my head)
- Sweat mixes with germs (bacteria) and sunscreen, which can lead to clogged pores
- Heavier creams and oils can feel stifling, like they're suffocating your skin
- Heat can also trigger or even worsen existing skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, and heat rash
Haircare in Warmer Weather.
- UV rays start to break down your hair proteins, causing dryness, brittleness, and color fading
- Sweat and humidity disrupt the hair's moisture balance, leading to frizz
- Like your skin, your scalp becomes oilier, requiring more washing or scalp care than usual
- Curling irons and blow dryers on already sun-stressed hair can increase breakage risk
Here are some adjustments you should make for warmer weather:
For your skincare routine:
- Make sure to use a lightweight moisturizer, like KVB's All-in-One Skincare Cream, which was specifically formulated to protect against oiliness and clogging pores.
- Don't skip the SPF! If you're going outside on the daily like me, it should be a broad-spectrum SPF 50! And reapply generously (like every two hours)!
- Cleanse with low-PH cleanser, which can help remove sweat and sunscreen buildup without stripping your skin barrier.
For your haircare routine:
- Use UV-protecting hair products, like UV filter containing sprays or leave-ins, that will shield your hair from sun damage and protein breakdown.
- Clarify your scalp once a week with a clarifying shampoo specifically designed to remove deep scalp buildup, while using KVB's Vegan Collagen Smoothing Shampoo on the daily.
- Style your hair without the heat and experiment with braids, buns, and ponytails to keep things fashionable but damage-free!
Anyhoo, I hope this helps! And if you're out there running in my neighborhood, make sure to stay sunscreened and wave hello!
