Water Damage

Don’t let spring showers wash away your skincare routine. Use these fun products and useful tips to keep your face fresh all season long.

We’ve all been there. You’re halfway into a run when suddenly your eyes start stinging, as your tear ducts are assaulted by a mixture of sunscreen, sweat and last night’s makeup. Your wet sleeve does nothing to alleviate the problem, and when you make it home, you greet yourself in the bathroom mirror with raccoon eyes and reddened cheeks.

Whether it comes in the form of a mid-run rainstorm or a heavy sweat session, an unexpected addition of water to your workout can be tough on skin and eyes. With frequent showers and increasing temps, springtime can aggravate this issue. Here are some tools you can think of as umbrellas for your active beauty routine.

Sunscreen

Even if it’s cloudy out, make sure never to skimp on the SPF. “When running outdoors in any season, sunscreen is needed to prevent sunburn, skin cancers and wrinkling,” says dermatologist Nanette B. Silverberg, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. To prevent smearing and irritation, make sure your screen is waterproof. We like Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 85 ($11, drugstores), which contains vitamin E to help shield skin from environmental damage. For easy-to- sweat-off spots (i.e. your nose and hairline) try a solid sunscreen stick like Banana Boat Ultra Defense Sunscreen SPF 50 Stick ($7, drugstores).

 

Cap & Shades

“Hats and sunglasses are ideal for facial sun protection,” says Silverberg. These accessories not only provide an important additional defense against the sun, but will help keep your face dry during a storm. Look for a hat with a visor that fits snugly on your head, so it will stay in place on windy runs. The Nite Beams LED Headgear Double Vision Running Cap has mesh vents for breathability and ultra-bright LED lights in the front and rear so that you’ll be visible to motorists even in dreary conditions ($25, nitebeams.com). You may not think to wear sunglasses in the rain, but your eyes are susceptible to damage regardless of the weather. Look for running-specific fogless glasses like the Optic Nerve Halogyn IC, which come with different lenses to wear depending on the condition, ($59, nerveusa.com).

Eye Makeup Remover

Silverberg recommends shying away from eye makeup during exercise, as many solutions contain irritants what may run or rub into your peepers. Before you head out the door, clear off any lingering mascara with a gentle remover like Visine Total Eye Soothing Wipes ($6, drugstores), which takes care of even the most stubborn clumps. For the truly mascara-addicted, however, there are some products that are safe to wear on the run. Try a sweat-resistant formula like DuWop’s Lashlacquer ($19, duwop.com). Sue Devitt’s Eye Intensifier Pencils ($19, suedevittbeauty.com) come in dramatic, rich shades and will last through your run and post-workout shower.

Run-Friendly Foundation

It’s often preferable and more comfortable to run completely make-up free. However, if you run later in the day, you can follow a routine in the morning that will last through your afternoon or evening workout. “Makeup should never be a substitute for sunscreen,” Silverberg says. Start your day with this in mind. After you cleanse your face, apply an SPF moisturizer and allow it to absorb for five minutes before putting on any additional product. “I recommend avoiding all fragrances when running, which can cause burning, discoloration or irritation,” Silverberg says.

To help your foundation last, start with a primer, which works as a barrier between skin and makeup. Cover FX Skinprep FX Nourishing Foundation Primer & Anti-Aging Serum ($45, sephora.com) is oil- and fragrance-free, and will help foundation to stay in place without clogging your pores. For long-lasting coverage, sponge on Eau Thermale Avène Couvrance Compact Foundation Cream SPF 30 ($29, aveneusa.com), which is scent-free and sweat-resistant.

Lip Gloss

Your lip color needs to have staying power. While stains last, they often dry out lips, so always top with a balm or choose a moisturizing gloss. We like CoverGirl Outlast Lip Stain ($8, drugstores) under Kiss My Face Organic Ginger Mango Lip Balm SPF 15 ($3, kissmyface.com). Laura Geller Mini Shine and Shield SPF 15 Lip Gloss Trio ($24, laurageller.com) is loaded with moisturizing ingredients such as jojoba oil, beeswax, cocoa seed butter and vitamin E to hydrate and smooth your pucker, plus zinc oxide to provide sun protection. And be sure to avoid licking dry lips—your saliva will only further dehydrate them.

 

Rainy Day Outfit

As winter thaws into spring, you’ll need to adjust your running gear accordingly. “When shifting between seasons it is best to wear layers of clothing you can shed during a run to avoid central overheating,” Silverberg advises. On a cold, rainy day, you make be tempted to layer with a thick sweatshirt, but this can lead to wet, heavy fabric which will chafe as you sweat. Instead, start with a base of cool, wicking clothing. Make sure that these garments have no seams along common chafe points such as underarms and inner thighs. Next, add a layer of thermal protective gear and a light rain jacket if necessary. Water can degrade the support of your sports bra as well. “Wearing two bras, one that’s cotton without underwire close to the skin and then another with overlying wires can help,” says Silverberg.

 

Anti-Friction Cream

Moisture can increase friction during your run, leaving you with rubbed-raw skin. You may not notice this irritation during your run—but you definitely will during your post-run shower, as warm water turns to fire on irritated surfaces. Prevent chafing before it starts, especially if you’re headed out for a long run on a wet day. “Treat yourself like a baby—use thick, paste-like emollients on chafe-prone areas before and after running,” Silverberg recommends. We like Mission Skincare High Performance Anti-Friction Cream and Long Lasting Anti-Chafe Balm ($10 each, missionskincare.com). Silverberg adds, “Always shower as soon as possible and apply moisturizers before and after runs.”