Damage control

Working out and getting in shape is a never-ending quest for men, but a sweaty gym session can come with some unforeseen side effects: pimples, dry skin and blackheads, to name a few. Exercise also induces the formation of free radicals, which over time can damage the skin's cellular integrity, resulting in premature skin ageing.

"Whether you're a professional sports star or just a weekend warrior, there's no point in developing a great athletic-looking body if you ignore taking care of your skin, which is the first thing people look at," says Clare Matthews, director and co-founder of Australian men's grooming brand VitaMan. "Even the world's best bodybuilders can come unstuck when posing if they have bad acne, aged skin or wrinkles. So it makes sense that attention is given to looking after your skin equally as much as your fitness, physique and health."

In response to rising demand, VitaMan is one of several brands that has developed sports-related product lines. British spa chain Champneys offers a complete collection of Sports Therapy items, ranging from an Intensive Moisture Balm to a Muscle Rehab Bath Soak. American skincare brand Jack Black, which features a pain-relieving cream and wound gel, has even enlisted NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to promote its shaving and cleansing products.

Dermatologist and founder of Skin Clinic of New York and New Jersey Dr Chang Bae Son says men in general are now more willing to spend time taking care of their skin. "Due to a recent cultural emphasis in beauty and grooming with a focus on skin, investing in skincare and having good skin is no longer a social 'taboo', but rather a desirable asset for modern men," he says. " More common issues in men are excessive sebum production [oily skin], general and uneven thickening of skin, and dyschromia [uneven skin tone]."

Adding to these issues, says Ting Chiu, brand director for Olay Hong Kong and Taiwan, is the fact that men's skin dries more easily. "Men's skin has slower absorption and a weaker ability to retain moisture," he says. "It becomes rough and dry , and working out will increase the likelihood of developing problems."

So what's an athlete to do? Matthews suggests applying VitaMan's Desert Muscle Rub before working out to prevent any possible muscle tears. The black mountain pepper helps increase circulation, while wattle seed resin is useful for pain relief.

A moisturiser, such as Olay Men Refreshing Energy Balancing Gel or Giorgio Armani's new Perfect Master soothing and anti-ageing cream, can also be applied pre-workout to maintain the balance of oil in the skin.