Save your own skin

We all love to exercise outdoors when the sun is shining. Exercise enhances oxygen flow to the skin, flushes out impurities from its surface and promotes production of oil, the skin’s natural moisturiser.

For good health, we need natural sunlight in winter to prevent depression and activate vitamin D, which increases bone density. Some research even shows that sunlight has a protective effect against hypertension and some autoimmune diseases.

But there’s a downside for outdoor exercise enthusiasts such as runners, cyclists, hikers, swimmers and boaters: unless they’re very careful, they also experience a higher incidence of skin damage and skin cancers because of the extra hours they spend in the sun. In addition, over-exercising may suppress your immune system, making you more prone to the damaging effects of the sun.

High levels of perspiration and lack of protective clothing don’t help, either. A recent study found that sweat contributes to ultraviolet (UV) damage by increasing the sensitivity of your skin, making you more susceptible to sunburn.

“We do see a lot of skin damage on runners, kayakers, boaters and golfers compared with people who are