FitSugar

5 Summer Run Annoyances and How to Deal With Them

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 01:32:25 PDT

I'm not complaining. I love Summer weather. The sunshine, warm breezes, birds chirping, and flowers blooming inspire me to head outside for my runs, plus I'm so loving just slipping on shorts and a tank top instead of tons of layers. There are just a couple things that I hate about Summer runs, so if these are bothering you too, here are some ways to deal with them.

Bugs flying in my eyes: Why do bugs love eyes so much? It's so gross. I make sure to always wear sunglasses on my Summer runs, and if I'm trail running or mountain biking, I spritz some bug spray on my clothes to help keep them away.
Sweat dripping down my chest: I thought I was alone on this one, so it's not something I normally would share, but a fellow fit friend said she too hates it when sweat drips down her cleavage. My remedy? I stuff a bunch of tissues down there (no one can tell), and it absorbs the sweat so I don't feel tickled or itchy.

I'm not through venting so keep reading.

5 Healthy Things You Can Do in the Shower

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:20:18 PST

Taking a shower mostly entails washing your hair and shaving your legs, but here are a few more quick things you should make time for that will benefit your health.

Source: Thinkstock

Bacne: An Unpleasant Side Effect of Working Out

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 03:05:38 PST

Hey FitSugar,
This is so embarrassing, but I've been training for a half marathon and as my weekly mileage increases I've started to develop terrible breakouts all over my back especially around my bra line. Does anyone have any suggestions for preventing this?
- Baby Got Bacne

I hear ya! Working out is sweaty business. Which is great for detoxing your body, but all that perspiration can be hard on your skin. My best piece of advice on preventing bacne is also the easiest to follow: take off those sweaty clothes immediately after a run and shower right away. Drink your recovery drink in the shower if you must. Now if you are already shedding your wet running togs and still feel plagued by acne here are a few new tricks to try.

Make sure your bra and shirt are made of fabric that wicks the sweat away from your body - cotton is not your friend. In cooler months, I like to wear a thin merino wool shirt on my runs, which naturally wicks the sweat away.
If your routine includes cardio followed by strength training, change your shirt and bra between activities. This may sound like a pain but can really help. If you have a chance, wipe or rinse (much more complicated mid-workout) your back before putting on fresh clothes. This mid-workout break might not only save your skin, it could help you burn more fat.
Use a scrub that contains acne fighting salicylic acid like ACNEdote by Alba Botanical. Use a scrub brush so you can reach all parts of your back, but don't scrub so aggressively that you aggravate the skin even more.
Try over the counter acne medication. The skin on your back is tougher than the skin on your face. After showering try glycolic or alpha hydroxy lotion of about eight or 10 percent strength. Or try 10 percent benzoyl peroxide. Remember, benzoyl peroxide will bleach your clothes.
Stop carrying a heavy backpack, especially if you are trying the regimen above. Backpacks can irritate the skin on your back and promote even more sweating.
If you're really at a loss, make an appointment with a dermatologist and hopefully they will clear things up for you (literally and figuratively).

Whatever you do, don't stop running! Good luck with the half marathon.

You Asked: Working Out and Breaking Out

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:30:32 PST

Hi Fit,
I've been running in the woods near my house since last Spring and love it so much that I've vowed to keep it up through the Winter. It gets cold where I live so I have to bundle up, but the past few weeks I've noticed that my skin is breaking out on my back and chest. Maybe I am sweating more? I didn't have an issue with this before. Is there any way to prevent this embarrassing problem and still continue running outside?
-Irked About Acne

Kudos to you for keeping up with your outdoor runs even in the chilly temps. I'm sure the fresh air is exhilarating, but I can understand your frustration with what's happening to your skin. I have some ideas to help avoid any more irritation, so

You Asked: I Started Exercising, But Now I'm Breaking Out!

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:00:00 PDT

Dear Fit,
I just got on an exercise kick and joined a gym. I've been doing 30 minutes of cardio three times a week and finishing with 30 minutes of strength training and stretching. I feel amazing and am starting to lose weight, but now I have a new problem - acne. And it's not just on my face. I have it on my neck and back too. How can I prevent this?
- Blemished Back

Acne and bacne can be unfortunate side effects of exercise, especially in hot weather. There are definitely ways to prevent breakouts caused by sweating.

Wash your face before working out to remove excess oil and makeup that can clog your pores. Then apply a facial moisturizer that's made for acne-prone skin such as Neutrogena's Oil-Free Anti-Acne Moisturizer.
Always wear clean workout clothes, and choose sports bras and tank tops with shoulder straps rather than racerback style. You want the skin on your back to breathe as much as possible, and if there's material covering it, heat, sweat, and bacteria get trapped, which can lead to bacne. Also, the more your skin is covered, the hotter you'll feel, and the more you'll sweat, which also leads to breakouts.
Wear clothes made of wicking material that pulls sweat off the skin.

To find out what else

Favorite Excuse for Not Working Out: Sweating Makes Me Breakout

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:30:00 PDT

Part of getting a good workout means that I sweat a lot. I don't necessarily need to be sopping wet like when I take a Bikram yoga class, but a little sweat makes me feel like I pushed myself.

The bad thing about sweating when you workout is that it can lead to breakouts, and not just on your face. Blemishes can appear on your back, neck and chest, but they don't have to.

Here are some tips on preventing exercise-related pimples:

Wash your face before working out to get all the oil and makeup off. Then apply a facial moisturizer that's made for acne-prone skin such as Neutrogena's Oil-Free Anti-Acne Moisturizer.
Always wear clean workout clothes. Choose a sports bra and tank top that has over-the-shoulder sleeves instead of a racerback or t-shirt that covers your back. Wear the least amount of clothes while still feeling comfortable, since the more your skin is covered, the hotter you'll feel and the more you'll sweat.
Wear clothes made of breathable fabric. Many sports bras and tops are made of wicking material that pulls sweat off the skin.

There are more tips. To see them

If you like to do weight training or stretching after your sweaty cardio routine, dry yourself off in between and then change into a dry bra and top.
Shower immediately after exercising to prevent body acne. Not only does it rinse the sweat and pimple-causing bacteria off your skin, but the water also helps to cool your body temperature down so you don't continue sweating once you get out. If you can't shower, definitely wash your face and peel off those sweaty clothes. Completely dry off and put on clean, dry clothes. Then hit the shower as soon as you can.
Exfoliate your skin. I like to use loofah gloves in the shower (My fave are from The Body Shop, $7). They're gentle enough to use everyday, on your face and the rest of your body. Use the gloves with an antibacterial cleanser such as Cetaphil, or soaps that have acne medicine in them, such as salicylic acid. Gently scrub your skin to unclog pores and slough off dead skin cells.

Fit's Tips: Whatever you do, don't stop working out. If acne is still a problem after trying out these tips, seeing a dermatologist is a great idea.

Blast Bacne Easily with ClindaReach

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 02:00:00 PDT

I've been talking a lot about bacne and ways to prevent it so I was really interested when I heard of the latest medication to hit pharmacy shelves.

The biggest problem with getting zits on your back is that they are so hard to reach and treat without having the helping hand of someone else. ClindaReach, from DUSA Pharmaceuticals, is a new, easy to use treatment that packages a topical antibiotic with an ergonomically designed applicator for treating hard-to-reach acne. Now that I am thinking about it, I don't know why they didn't come up with this fab idea sooner. So, if you are taking all the precautions before and after working out (such as wearing wicking clothing and showering post workout) but still getting unsightly bumps on your back, you may want to ask your dermatologist about getting a prescription for ClindaReach.

Brides and Bacne: What to Do

FitSugar — Wed, 05 May 2010 05:06:37 PDT

Everything is going dreamily. You found the perfect wedding gown for the big day. You've been exercising regularly to make sure it fits just right. The problem is, all that sweating makes you break out, and not just on your face - on your back and shoulders too.

For starters, do not stop working out. All that exercise is great for relieving stress, and there are many things you can do to prevent bacne from ruining your special day.

Always wear clean workout clothes.
Make sure to wear a sports bra and top that are made of wicking fabric to pull moisture away from your skin. Avoid clothes that don't let your skin breathe.
Take a shower immediately after exercising to wash off sweat and bacteria.
When you shower, use Cetaphil or some other antibacterial cleanser on your back. Exfoliating in the shower may also help unclog blocked pores and get rid of dead skin cells. Use either an exfoliating shower scrub once a week or exfoliating bath gloves.
After showering, allow your skin to dry completely and then apply a topical cream that contains either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to treat and prevent blemishes. Be careful of bleaching your clothes if you go the benzoyl peroxide route.
If your problem persists or you have severe body acne, make an appointment with a dermatologist.

New brides, pay attention! All week long we'll be bringing you tips on how to prepare your body for the big day. But we want to hear what you've been doing to stay in shape too. Head over to the FitSugar Community and post your wedding workout tips, or, if you're already hitched, how did you get healthy for your big day?

Link Time: See Who Really Brought Sexy Back (Historically)

BellaSugar — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:04:09 PST

See the evolution of what makes someone sexy - Glo
Winter nail color picks that rock - Real Simple
Miley Cyrus issues a much-deserved takedown to Internet (and media) bullies - The Cut
Jennifer Aniston and Emma Roberts have a secret hairstyle connection - InStyle
Master the art of the curling iron - Refinery 29
Fiery Fall sunset nail art - Stylelist
Versace doesn't want street style photos of its H&M line - Huffington Post
Banish that bacne just in time for holiday dressing - Beautylish
Irresistible holiday beauty buys - The Fashion Spot
Get awesome 3D nail art the easy way - Fashionista

Best of Bella: Global Beauty Secrets, the History of Red Hair, and More

BellaSugar — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 03:10:00 PDT

Check out our latest BellaTV episode and some of our favorite stories from the week:

You need to see these 10 amazing beauty secrets from around the globe.
See five beauty recipes from the 1700s that really work (and three that really don't).
It's official: Cindy Sherman is creating a limited-edition collection for MAC.
Which of these recent celebrity hair changes are your favorite?
Check out five easy ways to wear this season's pretty headband trend.
Gingers unite! See the really cool (and kind of crazy) history of red hair.
This nail polish is inspired by menstrual blood and bruises. How charming!
Put an end to acne (and bacne) this Summer with our three easy tips.