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How to Protect Your Skin on a Trek
General Trekking Tips,  Solo Trekking Tips

How to Protect Your Skin on a Trek

Trekking is beneficial for the body, but not so much for the skin if you don’t take care of it well. The great outdoor can damage your skin through sun exposure, dehydration, pesky bugs and a lot more. So, how to protect your beautiful skin while wandering in the wilderness? Below are some tips that suggest how to prepare yourself for trekking

1. How to prepare yourself for trekking against the harsh solar rays at high altitudes

It is imperative to put on a sunscreen on a daily basis, during every season of the year. It is a fact that sun exposure is inevitable when you are trekking. The solar rays especially are harsher when you reach a higher altitude that offers more reasons to wear a sunscreen with at least a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15. Remember, do not apply sun care products only on your face but also pay attention to other body parts that are exposed to the sun such as the back of the legs, underneath the neck, behind the ears, etc. And also it would be better if you wear a hat for additional protection of your face.

2. How to Protect yourself Against Pesky Bugs

As enjoyable and self-containing trekking is, there is a trade-off – BUGS. Acknowledged, it may not be a concern, but if you are heading on a rigorous trail on a humid July, the presence of bugs is highly likely. This tip might seem a common sense, but spray yourself with an insect repellent all over. And in case you get bitten. Soothe the bites and alleviate the itch with a solution that contains Calamine.

To keep pesky bugs at bay, avoid wearing colognes, perfumes, or body sprays – especially with a flower or fruity scents since they attract bugs even more.

3. Protecting yourself from Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy can be very difficult to recognize, though it always comes in leaves of three that are medium in size, shiny, and are dark green in colour. However, they do blend in with other leaves, so if you are unsure about a plant that seems like Poison Ivy, so do not risk and just walk away.

So, how to protect yourself for trekking when walking in shrub area?

Wear a rash guard or other protective clothing. Try not walk in a dense shrubby area, and there is also a lotion called ivy block that contains bentoquatam, an element that prevents oils from the plant getting on your skin.

If you think you have come in contact with it, look for a rash, change your clothes straight away, clean your skin, and reduce the itch by applying a thick anti-itch cream.

4. Avoiding Dehydration

While trekking make sure you remain hydrated, drink lots of water or energy drinks to level your electrolytes. Avoid eating salty snacks as doing so can deplete the amount of water from your body, thereby causing your skin to look dehydrated. Instead eat apples, berries, carrots, or bananas. And after your adventure walk, do a DIY facial to give your skin a post-trek skin regime.
If you do not have the time to do a full-fledged facial, then at least take out some time to exfoliate your skin after you wash your skin. Exfoliation sloughs away all the dirtiness and dead skin to reveal a fresher and more radiant complexion. After washing your face and exfoliating, apply a toner, a serum, and a hydrating face cream to get back your natural glow.

Note: In order to know whether a skin product is hydrating, look for certain ingredients on the label such as – honey, hyaluronic acid, and glycerine.

5. Preparing skin to avoid Redness or burns

When exposed to the sun rays for a long period of time sunburn or redness can occur. If this happens during your outdoor excursion, apply aloe vera get on the affected areas to soothe the skin. Even if the redness continues, look for a skin care product that has a calming, anti-inflammatory agent such as chamomile or seaweed.

Keep visiting Trailaider to know more on how to prepare yourself for trekking

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