Refresh yourself with these soothing, cleansing body washes
It's a common fitness conundrum: You work out like a fiend, only to find your skin is getting dry and cracked, or that you're breaking out. What's an avid exerciser to do? First, don't be too quick to point the finger at your pores. "A lot of it has to do with dirt and the climate that you live in, as well as the moisture," notes licensed dermatologist Gregory G. Papadeas, DO, FAOCD, of the Advanced Dermatology, Skin Cancer and Laser Surgery Center in Denver, Colo. "If you live in a very dry area, that's going to affect your skin. It depends on your environment and all the external factors as opposed to the sweat." While you can't necessarily control all the elements, you can manage some of them with a post-workout scrub-down — and the following body washes can help.
If Your Skin is Dry
"Dry skin is fairly common among exercisers, particularly because they may tend to shower more than once a day," says Andrew Alexis, MD, associate director of the department of dermatology at St. Luke's Hospital in New York City. To combat thirsty, chafed skin, Alexis and the other dermatologists to whom we spoke recommend looking for glycerin-based, moisturizing cleansers that don’t contain preservatives, coloring agents or fragrances that may produce irritation or an allergic reaction. "In general, liquid or foaming cleansers are easier on the skin than their bar counterparts," adds Andrea Lynn Cambio, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Tribeca Dermatology in New York City. Here are our experts' three top picks.
Aveeno Positively Radiant Body Wash "Aveeno is a brand name that usually has people with sensitive skin in mind," says Alexis. This creamy, foaming body wash has moisture-rich soy guaranteed to leave skin feeling silky and well-hydrated. It is also soap- and dye-free, so it's less likely to cause irritation.
Olay Complete Body Wash for Extra Dry Skin is great at cleansing and moisturizing, says Cambio. "It's non-irritating, and has a light, fresh scent," she adds. Because it's soap-free, it's gentle and won't leave a heavy residue, while shea butter and other moisturizers nourish the skin.
Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash "Dove is specifically formulated for people with sensitive skin who may react to coloring and fragrances that may be found in other sorts of soaps and body washes," notes Alexis. This particular body wash also boasts hydrating emollients to help combat dryness and chafing.
If Your Skin is Acne-Prone
Oily or acne-prone skin is something you will see quite often in active people, notes Alexis. "Weightlifters are more likely to get a certain kind of acne called acne mechanica," adds Brian B. Adams, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Ohio, specializing in sports dermatology. "It's basically caused by pressure, friction and sweating combined with sitting on synthetic equipment." Whether you're a gym junkie or lead an active lifestyle outdoors, you're susceptible to the kind of conditions that lead to acne. But fear not; the doctors suggest trying out the following blemish-busters.
Dial Clean Rinsing Body Wash "People who are apt to get acne need a relatively harsher soap, such as Dial," says Adams. Adds Papadeas, "These kinds of soaps keep the bacteria level on your skin a little bit lower, reducing the chances for general infection or acne." While Dial is known for its antibacterial ingredients, this body wash also contains light moisturizers to prevent over-drying — and it's available in five different fragrances.
Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash This familiar brand is good for frequent use. "I recommend this for everyday use to acne-prone individuals because it contains 2 percent salicylic acid," says Alexis. "That's a very good active ingredient — and it helps to unblock pores." Body Clear Body Wash is specially formulated to prevent excessive dryness and/or irritation, and Neutrogena prides itself on its gentle cleansing properties.
Lever 2000 Body Wash Original This versatile body wash is more of an all-purpose cleanser, but it's gained a
reputation for its extremely pleasing fragrance that accompanies its acne-fighting properties. Unilever tags this clean-smelling body wash as "Perfectly Fresh," and this heavenly scent has staying power, even while it maintains its cleansing qualities for extended periods of time.
