Moto Skincare: Save your Skin This Summer
- jenniferschuler1
- Jul 12, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 13, 2018
I hate to admit this, but sometimes I'm not terribly enthused to ride my motorcycle, especially during the summer months in Texas. In the spring and fall, I crave any opportunity to throw on my helmet and ride. But as the weather heats up, my excitement unfortunately decreases. At 90 degrees, my desire to ride plummets. The idea of putting my sweaty cesspool of a helmet back on my head is distracting and I can't get past my urge to paint a clay mask on my face ASAP.
So, how do you keep your skin clear while riding a motorcycle in the summer?
Naturally I've asked other motorcyclists about their skincare routines and searched the all knowing internet for answers about skincare for motorcyclists in the summer... but I have found close to nothing specific for moto enthusiasts. So I went to my New York City based dermatologist, Dr. Rebecca Kleinerman, for some answers.
Here's how to keep your skin clean and clear when it's hot and humid in that helmet.
1. Wash your face at least 2x a day. Dr. Kleinerman let me know that "occlusive acne can occur when oils build up in combination with gear touching your skin". The combination of wearing gear, sweating and touching your face too much "provides an environment for the bacteria which causes acne to thrive". Washing your face at least twice a day, in the morning, at night and after sweating or being exposed to pollutants will help prevent oils from building up.
2. Shower as quickly as possible after sweating! If you're riding around town and can't shower every-time you get off your motorcycle, carry wipes with you. Dr. Kleinerman suggests Neutrogena® Hydrating Wipes, "they make your face feel clean and hydrated if you're on the go".
3. Wear SPF every 2 hours to avoid skin damage. Even with a helmet and visor, you're still exposed to the sun. Add a good sunscreen to your daily gear to prevent sun damage. One of Dr. Kleinerman's favorites is Elta MD UV Clear and I personally use La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Clear Skin Dry Sunscreen. Both are 100% oil free and give you a matte and shine-free finish.
4. Avoid oil-based makeups, especially if you're prone to acne. Skip makeups that contain oils and go for products like Colorescience's Sunforgettable, a top pick for Dr. Kleinerman, or bareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 that provide you coverage and sun protection. If you prefer liquid foundation, try Marc Jacobs Beauty Shameless Youthful-Look 24H Foundation SPF 25, it's super light-weight with a matte finish and blends beautifully.
5. Don't forget to moisturize. Even if it's hot, your skin still needs a little moisturizer TLC. However, you will probably need a different type of lotion for the summer season. Dr. Kleinerman recommends Garnier's Moisture Rescue Gel Cream, "which feels cool, is not sticky, and likely won't break you out"and is easy to find and inexpensive.
6. Wash your helmet pads as much as possible. Your helmet pads are in direct contact with your skin and soak up sweat, oils and dirt and every time you put on your helmet, you're reintroducing your skin to that grime. So like a pillowcase, you need to regularly wash the interior helmet pads and liners. Dr. Kleinerman let me know that you should attempt to wash your helmet pads 1x/week if you are riding daily. Once a week might be hard to do, but try to remember work it into your regular laundry routine. You can generally place your pads in a warm bucket of water with some baby shampoo and massage them until they are clean. Rinse the shampoo out and then air dry them. Your skin will thank you!
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