Yes, that’s me on my high school track and field team!
Whenever the Olympic Games come around, I think about growing up in Miami, participating in track and field competitions from the AAU Junior Olympics and right through college at Texas Southern. I had grit and was a natural athlete (I was also in choral competitions and musicals). I competed and excelled in everything: volleyball, basketball, plus track & field! I was headed to Olympics, too, but there was a boycott in the year I went to the trials.
My Track and Field team (me, in the center)
I was teased not only for being tall and thin, I also was teased for caring about my attention to skincare. Often I was just applying powder to tame the perspiration on my face! Noxema was the most common facial cleanser and a popular moisturizer was Oil of Olay. I think most US Black households had a #redcosmeticsponge, cocoa butter, and a jar of Vaseline! I steered clear of Nadionola and Bleach & Glow, but those were popular too.
Fierce competitions put athletes’ complexions to a test. All sorts of problems can occur: blackheads, acne, rashes, dehydration, sun & snow burns, infections and more.
- Always wash your hands before touching your face so to not add to the problems. Avoid cleansing products with too much alcohol, fragrance & essential oils; also not highly acidic nor highly alkaline.
- A face wash BEFORE a workout is sure to help dislodge oils & buildup as you sweat.
- If playing sports outside, in sun or snow, use sunscreen. (Spectators should apply sunscreen too!)
- Avoid touching the face during workouts. Blot with a clean towel. Don’t let the sweat dry; pollutants settle back in pores and clog.
- Also AFTER the workout, be careful with shampoos & conditioners dripping down your face, neck & back. Formulas can be harsh, strip protective oils or prevent the oils from laying on the skin. Improper rinsing can cause breakouts and irritation.
- Never rub the face hard; pat face dry with a clean towel—but not the one you used while doing your sport!
- Keeping hydrated is as important for the skin as cleansing! Your face will thank you with visibly more vibrant & brighter looking skin!
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