How to Keep Your Skin Healthy During Outdoor Activities

Spending time outdoors is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind. Fresh air, movement and sunlight can elevate your energy, sharpen your focus and improve your overall health. But while you push forward, your skin faces a different kind of challenge. 

From UV rays and pollution to sweat and temperature shifts, outdoor exposure can quietly chip away at your skin’s surface, causing dryness, dullness and even long-term skin conditions if neglected. Fortunately, with the right skincare routine, you can protect, balance and strengthen your skin, keeping it looking fresh and healthy all day long. 

Understand Your Skin Type 

The first step in building a sustainable skincare routine is understanding your skin type. Many men don’t realise that their skin needs specific care — using the wrong products or skipping essential steps often does more harm than good.

Here’s how to identify your skin type:

• Normal skin - Clear, even skin tone, minimal blemishes or shine.
  

• Dry skin - Feels tight, may flake, especially after washing.
  

• Oily skin - Appears shiny, prone to acne, enlarged pores.
  

• Sensitive skin - Easily irritated by products, weather, or shaving.
  

• Acne prone skin - Frequent breakouts, may react to blocked pores and dead skin cells buildup.
  

Men tend to have thicker skin and more active sebaceous glands, leading to higher sebum production. While that can protect the skin barrier, it also makes men's skin more vulnerable to clogged pores and more breakouts, especially if you’re outdoors and sweating regularly.

A Customised Skin Care Routine for the Outdoors

A well-rounded basic skincare routine helps build resilience against environmental stressors. Below are the top tips for defending your skin during outdoor activities — with practical steps and product suggestions to help you build a simple but effective care routine.

1.Wash Your Face the Right Way

After a workout or time outside, it’s tempting to splash water on your face and move on. But cleansing properly is essential. Use a mild facial cleanser that removes dirt, sweat and pollution without stripping the skin’s natural oils.

Avoid using regular bar soap, which often contains harsh ingredients that disrupt the skin barrier. Instead, choose a multi-functional product like the Barbology London Hair & Beard Shampoo that is suitable for both beard and skin great for removing sweat, dirt and pollutants after a long day outdoors.

2. Exfoliate to Remove Dead Skin Cells

Outdoor activity increases buildup of dead cells due to sweating and dirt. Gentle exfoliation 1–2 times a week helps prevent clogged pores, ingrown hairs and dull skin texture. Look for exfoliants with salicylic acid, which penetrate deep into the pores and help reduce acne without over-drying the skin's surface.

Tip: Avoid over-scrubbing, which can cause irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.

3. Hydrate Daily - Moisturise, Even If You Have Oily Skin

Outdoor exposure — even in humid conditions — can dehydrate skin. Using a moisturiser keeps skin taut, prevents fine lines and supports the barrier that keeps out irritants. This is especially important for acne prone skin, as dehydration can cause sebaceous glands to overcompensate with more oil. Try the Barbology Face Moisturiser & Beard Conditioner to soothes dry skin, softens beard/stubble and calm post-shave irritation using natural oils and menthol.

Moisturising is not just for dry types even men with oily skin should moisturise daily to balance sebum production and maintain healthy skin.

4. Shield Against the Sun

UV protection is a non-negotiable step in any skincare regimen, especially during outdoor activity. Extended exposure to UV rays contributes to sun damage, age spots, skin aging and even skin cancer.

Use a broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or above) daily  and apply before stepping outside and reapply every two hours if you’re active.

Tip: Don’t rely on cloudy skies; up to 80% of UV rays still reach the earth on overcast days.

Apply sunscreen after moisturising and don’t forget areas like the neck, ears and the back of the neck if your hair is short.

5. Upgrade Your Shaving Routine

Outdoor grime combined with poor shaving habits often leads to razor bumps, ingrown hairs and razor burns. If you experience razor bumps, it might be due to using multi blade razors that cut hair too close to the skin.

Switch to a double blade razor, shave with lukewarm water and always use post-shave hydration. Consider including the Barbology Beard and Face Oil as part of your routine. This light and fast-absorbing conditions both the skin and beard while reducing irritation and keeping the area flake-free.

Using beard oil is a smart way to maintain hair growth, avoid skin conditions and promote a smoother skin tone beneath facial hair.

Barbology London - Crafted for the Demands of the Modern Man

Designed for the modern man, our skincare products at Barbology London combine natural oils like argan, tea tree and jojoba with active botanical ingredients that support younger looking skin, reduce irritation and prevent the buildup of dead skin cells. Our vegan and cruelty-free range is developed in the UK and free from harsh ingredients, making it suitable for sensitive skin, oily skin, acne prone skin and everything in between.