Black-owned Products to Pamper Post-run Skin
by Imani Pope-Johns, Contributor
Have you ever thought about your fitness routine in full? You know, the steps you take both before and after you go for a sweat. Just like you treat your feet or your aching muscles after a run, taking care of your skin should be a part of that restoration process. We’ve put together a list of awesome Black-owned skincare products to maintain your beauty that are so simple and easy, even the RUNGRL founders love them.
Face Wash and Body Scrub
Sweat, bacteria and damp, constricting clothing can all contribute to clogged pores and leave skin irritated and angry. Help prevent body acne and breakouts by showering as soon as possible after a run.
Try washing your face with Bolden Sulfate Free Facial Cleanser. The PH-balanced formula addresses dull, congested and breakout-prone skin and the cleanser is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. It allows you to fight stubborn breakouts while also preventing premature aging.
One trick we love is adding brown sugar or coffee grinds to our facial wash. It turns it into an awesome scrub without the added cost. Not a DIY-er? Try Jovi Shai Beauty Lava Salt Face and Body Scrub. The Lava Salt penetrates the pores and pulls toxins from the skin by using active charcoal and other amazing ingredients, like Ethiopian coffee.
Body Wash
Don’t settle for that same old bar of soap waiting for you in the shower. Treat yourself with a body wash that can calm and soothe, such as Alaffia Body Wash in Calming Lavender. It’s a plus that this body wash uses ethically-traded virgin coconut oil, unrefined shea butter, West African neem extract and lavender. Alaffia’s body washes and soaps are available on Amazon and at Whole Foods nationwide.
Toner
To keep it consistent, try the Bolden Glycolic Acid Toner. The toner’s properties help your skin recover from acne discoloration, sun damage and aging dramatically. The toner is oil free and calming, so be sure to use it daily to see the best results! Follow it up with the Nighttime Repair Serum with glycolic acid for even better results.
Moisturizer
Have you tried moisturizing your body with regular lotion? Sometimes, traditional moisturizers can miss the mark with skin that needs a little more than water-based ingredients to fuel it. Citrus Sage Body Butter by Joshica Beauty is handmade with cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, lemongrass essential oil, lemon oil and castor oil to leave your skin firm, youthful, soft and hydrated.
Sunscreen
Yes, even runners with melanin need protection from harmful UV rays. The right sunscreen can give women who love to run the chance to go at it longer, safely. Consider Black Girl Sunscreen, a weightless, ultra-sheer and fragrance-free sunscreen moisturizer with SPF 30. It’s formulated especially for women of color, so you don’t have to worry about any chalky, white residue like many other sunscreens. It also contains carrot, jojoba, cacao and sunflower seed extract to keep your skin moisturized as well. You can use this after you shower, or before you head back out on your next run.
Note: Items in this feature are not sponsored but some are listed as affiliate links. RUNGRL may receive compensation for your engagement with them. See full terms of use for details.
Imani Pope-Johns
Contributor
Imani is a Howard University alumna, owner of Influplexity, a public relations boutique, and a mentor to college students entering the communications industry. She is "One of the Top 25 Black PR Millennials to Watch" according to Huffington Post, and a former managing editor and writer for various publications, such as J'Adore Magazine. She was not the best runner, but she has been running since she was seven, focusing on relays, 200m and hurdles, and now 5Ks for fun.