Staying active is a lifestyle choice that brings immense benefits to our physical and mental well-being. However, with all the perks of an active life come some challenges, especially for our skin. Read on as we explore some tips for skincare for athletes and active lifestyles.
Whether you're an outdoor runner, a gym or sea sports enthusiast, or a yoga-by-the-beach kind of person, chances are your skin faces more grime, sweat and sun than most. Enter, Solyph, a unique skincare line for athletes and active people just like you!
Solyph stands out for its unique approach to skincare tailored specifically for athletes and those with active lifestyles. Not satisfied by just offering skincare for athletes, each formulation is unique and crafted specially for people who live life on the go and demand more from their skincare products.
So read on as we dive into some essential skincare tips and habits for active individuals and see how Solyph seamlessly fits into your routine to keep your skin glowing, healthy and resilient.
Cleanse Away Sweat and Impurities
Whether you're jogging, hitting the gym or exploring the outdoors, active lifestyles means that your pores are probably working overtime and are exposed to sweat, dirt and environmental pollutants. Even after you workout, you tend to perspire more easily leaving your skin with an oily sheen, and a higher chance of clogged pores and acne breakouts.
While you might already be cleansing twice a day - morning and evenings - athletes and those with active lifestyles work up a sweat cycling to work or through those mid-day sessions. While it is likely that you are already taking some mid-day cleanses (and that’s great!), you’ll want to make sure that you’ve chosen a cleanser that’s not over drying and preserves the moisture levels in your skin.
A soothing and hydrating cleansing water, Solyph’s Take Off Smooth, Phytonicide-enriched Cleansing Water wicks away impurities like sweat, excess sebum and makeup effortlessly, making this the perfect acne product for athletes.
Formulated with natural Pine Leaf Water as its based, it is rich in phytoncide - plant-based microbial compounds - enriched with Green Tea, Chamomile, Aloe Vera and Centella Asiatica Extract that work to purify and protect your skin against bacteria and pollutants reducing the chances of acne breakouts.
Choose a Non-Comedogenic Sunscreen
Unlike your workout routines, the sun doesn’t take any cheat days and anytime you spend outside, your skin is exposed to the ageing effects of UV exposure. Naturally athletes and those with active lifestyles get more than their fair share and that’s why choosing a good sunscreen - and using it regularly - is a critical step in any skincare routine tailored for active lifestyles.
Choose a non-comedogenic sunscreen - that is one that does not tend to clog your pores - like the Face the Wild, Sun Cream SPF 50+. This mineral-based sunscreen has an airy finish that glides smoothly over your skin and is both water and sweat resistant. This coupled with its low irritation formula makes it ideal for water sports and for application over your face.
Even being a mineral-based sunscreen, the Face the Wild, Sun Cream doesn’t leave any white cast even on darker skin tones during testing. It’s also rated SPF 50+ for longer protection, so you won’t have to reapply as frequently, saving you some cost!
But what we really love about this sunscreen is that it includes nourishing, soothing and hydrating ingredients like Probiotics, Green Tea, Chamomile and even Aqua Active H, a patented botanical complex that’s rich in antioxidants and clinically proven to hydrate dry skin. This sunscreen doesn’t just protect your skin it makes it look good!
Take Short Mild Showers and Hydrate, Hydrate Hydrate!
Whether you’re a pro-athlete or a gym nut, one thing commonality is that those with active lifestyles experience significant changes in heart rate (well duh!). But this is often accompanied by frequent changes in temperature like from the gym to the office, under the sun to the shade, in the water to the beach, you get the idea. The result is sweat and lots of it as your body struggles to regulate your body’s temperature.
One way to mitigate this is to always allow time for your heart rate to recover and your body to cool down after a workout before taking a shower. And while it might be tempting to jump under a cold shower (or hot, depending on your preference) it’s much better to keep your showers short and at a mild temperature.
One product that can be really helpful is the Time Out Refresh, Essence Forest Bathing Mist which can be used over the face and body as frequently as needed after a workout. Inspired by shinrin-yoku (森林浴) or forest bathing, this mister uses Pine Leaf Water as its base which helps calm the skin and inhibits acne causing bacteria.
This mister also contains other soothing ingredients like Aloe Vera and Kombu to hydrate, cool and soothe the skin after those afternoon gym sessions. It even contains Líng Zhī (灵芝), Wild Yam and Probiotics that protects your skin’s microbiome fortifying it against acne flare ups or irritation that can be caused after an intense workout.
Choose a Water-based Skincare Routine
Choosing a water-based skincare routine is essential for those who live life on the move or spend a lot of time outdoors. Why? Water-based formulas are lightweight and easily absorbed, providing hydration without clogging pores - a must when you’re sweating and exposed to the elements.
Water-based products like Solyph’s skincare range not only help maintain your skin’s moisture balance, they can also soothe and cool heated skin while protecting it from the harsh effects of sun, wind, and pollution. Additionally, water-based skincare often contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera (or Pine Leaf Water, more on that later), which refresh and soothe your skin after a long or intense workout.
Unlike oil-based products that can leave your skin feeling heavy and greasy, water-based options are breathable and ideal for maintaining that fresh, clean feel. When your skin can breathe and stay hydrated, you’re less likely to experience breakouts, irritation, or clogged pores, letting you stay comfortable and confident no matter where your day takes you.
Allow Your Skin Time for Recovery
Just like you need to give your body enough time to recover after each workout, giving your skin enough time to recover can mitigate any ill effects of over exposure to sun exposure and other environmental factors like pollutants, chlorinated water, dirt and grime. UV exposure in particular can cause dull, dehydrated skin, wrinkling and saggy skin, and can have lasting effects on the skin even after coming out from under the sun.
The Level Up Higher, Serum Core Lifting Concentrate can help with restoring skin elasticity by promoting collagen production in the skin reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The actives in this specially formulated serum also calms inflammation and purify the skin reducing the chances of breakouts and helping you achieve firmer skin and a brighter, more even complexion.
Solyph’s Keep Calm Meditate, Sheet Mask Soothing Cellulose Revitalizer, is another great way to speed up your skin’s recovery after a day under the sun. Made from organic Tencel sheet, this premium sheet mask is soaked in a concentrate of Aloe Vera, Pine Leaf, Rice Bran and other vitamin-rich natural ingredients to rejuvenate tired skin, brighten dull compexions, and promote skincell regeneration for a natural and healthy radiance.
Protect Your Skin
Finally, as the age old adage goes, prevention is always better than the cure, and with skincare this means moisturising regularly. Regardless of your skin type, moisturising is a key skincare step that you should never skip but choosing the right moisturiser is key. Athletes and active individuals should choose a moisturiser that not only delivers the right amount of hydration, protects against moisture loss during your workouts, should not clog the pores and be comfortable over the skin.
Finish your skincare routine with the Ready Set Glow, Moisturizer Multi-action Moisture Balance, a lightweight, non-comedogenic that doesn’t clog the pores. Its airy finish makes it ideal for hot humid weather and is packed with natural ingredients like Argan and Jojoba Oil, Hyaluronic Acid and Shea Butter that hydrates and strengthens your natural skin barrier that protects it against moisture loss and other environmental aggressors.
Solyph: Designed for Active Lifestyles
Founded in Singapore by Korean expat Jeon Hee-sook and avid golfer, Solyph offers a refreshing perspective on skincare for athletes and active lifestyles that meet the needs of those who thrive on movement, adventure, and the great outdoors. With products specifically formulated for the humid tropical climate of Singapore, Solyph is redefining what it means to be both active and beautiful.
While Korean skincare is widely celebrated for its innovativeness, the tropical environment here in Singapore posed unique challenges, such as increased perspiration, sun exposure, and environmental stressors. Recognizing this gap, Hee-sook set out to create a line of skincare that could withstand the rigors of an urban, active lifestyle while providing effective nourishment and protection.
“In creating Solyph, we focused on a few key principles within sports cosmetics like prevention, recovery and protection.” says Heesook in an earlier interview. “We focused on creating skincare for athletes - those that train daily - because if it worked for them, it would work for the average active individual.”
At the heart of Solyph’s formulations is one standout ingredient: Pine Leaf Water sourced from carefully selected pine trees in PyeongChang, South Korea. This unique ingredient is packed with antioxidants and minerals, making it ideal for hydration and skin rejuvenation.
Pine Leaf also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, ideal for acne prevention and also protects the skin, brightens skin tone, reduces irritation, and aids in recovery after sun exposure by helping to regulate melanin production.
Its lightweight nature makes it perfect for people on the go, ensuring that skin remains fresh and protected without feeling heavy or greasy. Its antimicrobial properties protect your skin after workouts giving you peace of mind. Solyph boasts a carefully curated product range of six essentials designed around Pine Leaf Water with active lifestyles in mind.
Fun and Functional Packaging
Solyph’s vibrant packaging is as delightful as its products. The colorful designs reflect the brand’s youthful spirit and commitment to making skincare enjoyable. Each product is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, ensuring that they fit seamlessly into any active lifestyle.
The sunscreen tube in particular is cleverly designed for gym bags with a pump dispenser that has a little catch that prevents it from accidentally being dispensed. The bright colour also makes it easy to find! This playful yet functional approach is a reminder that skincare doesn’t have to be a chore and that taking care of your skin can be a fun part of your daily routine, even when you’re on the move.
Final Thoughts
As the demand for skincare for active lifestyles continues to grow, Solyph is paving the way with its thoughtful formulations and commitment to quality. Jeon Hee-sook’s vision has resulted in a brand that not only understands the unique needs of those who lead active lifestyles but also delivers effective solutions that keep skin healthy and radiant.
In a world where multitasking is the norm, Solyph stands out as a skincare line that truly understands the importance of balancing beauty with an active life. Whether you’re catching a wave, exploring the great outdoors or hitting the gym, Solyph is the perfect partner in your skincare journey.
About the writer
Stacy Liu, an American-born Chinese, is the beauty editor at Asian Beauty X obsessively writing about new beauty launches, the best hair products, and the skincare formulas that really work for every skin type.