Field hockey is an endurance sport. It demands a high level of physical fitness. Alongside physical toughness, the players must have a disciplined skincare routine so that there are no roadblocks in the smooth play.

Every field hockey player carries a kit bag with game-related gear, including hockey sticks, shoes, socks, and helmet and leg/chest guards for the goalkeepers. Besides these necessities, the players must carry skin protection, offering things such as sunscreen, face wash, and moisturiser, to name a few. Like the aforementioned sports gear, skincare products form a pivotal part of the kit bag of field hockey players.

Let's look at the importance of having essential skincare products like sunscreen, face wash, and moisturiser for field hockey players:

Sunscreen

Sunscreen protects the skin against the scorching sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. A broad-spectrum sunscreen helps in protecting the skin against UV-A and UV-B rays. Overexposure to UV rays can cause skin tanning, burning, ageing, rashes, itchiness, and sometimes cancer. Applying sunscreen 15-20 minutes before you hit the hockey field is best.

Sunscreens containing zinc oxide (ZnO) are considered good since they can block UV-A and UV-B rays, making them one of the most effective sun protection products. Sunscreens are available in different SPFs (Sun Protection Factor) like SPF 15, SPF 30, SPF 50, etc. The higher the SPF, the higher the protection. Select sweat-resistant and water-resistant ones within sunscreens since they do not get washed away with sweat or water. Such sunscreens tend to stay longer, offering maximum protection.

Face wash

After an intense field hockey game or a high-octane practice session, every player must clean their face with a face wash. While playing, the dust particles and other pollutants come in contact with the face, an exposed body part. Since we cannot avoid dust and other contaminants, we can certainly prevent the harmful effects caused by it by using a face wash.

Cleaning your face with face wash helps to remove dirt, pollutants, and grime that water cannot sweep alone. A good face wash also regulates excess sebum production in the skin. That's why skin care experts recommend using face wash for athletes, primarily involved in outdoor sports like field hockey, to get rid of dust and grime hassle-free.

Moisturiser

Moisturiser contains numerous skin-replenishing ingredients, including hydration-boosting elements like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, sodium PCA, glycerin, glycerol, silicones, petrolatum, salicylic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids. These ingredients hydrate the surface layers of the skin. Their main skin benefit is that they seal the skin, locking in moisture and nutrients while protecting it from environmental irritants. Use moisturiser after a hot water bath because hot water strips all the moisture and oils out of your skin, leaving it dry.

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