Tennis players who are on the court at Wimbledon this week face not only scorching serves but also sizzling sun that can damage skin and hair. Stars like Venus Williams, Eugenie Bouchard and Caroline Wozniacki know how to look great while playing defense against the sun. Follow these tips from the tennis stars so you’ll be protected as well as beautiful when you take to the court.
Dermatologist Jessica Wu reminds us that playing sports outdoors means sweating. She advises seeking out waterproof formulas that won’t drip off and new formulas that are designed to be sprayed onto wet skin.
Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark protects her peaches-and-cream complexion against wrinkles by slathering sunscreen on shoulders and arms. She wears SPF under her daily moisturizer every day even when she is not on the tennis court. Wozniacki says she is on the court and outside playing so much that she doesn’t want to worry about her skin getting damaged from the sun. “Now it’s such a routine that I pretty much have SPF on all the time!” she says.
She reapplies often during a match, and that can mean slippery palms. She keeps a tight grip on her racket by following sunscreen applications with alcohol-based hand sanitizer to dry her hands.
One product that becomes more effective when it mixes with water and sweat is Shiseido’s Ultimate Sun Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Wetforce for Face ($36) at Sephora. Serbian tennis star Ana Ivanovic says she knows she’ll be protected when she competes wearing this sunscreen. Remember to apply where skin is thinnest on lips and ears. Don’t forget the neck.
The best way to protect long glossy locks from blistering UV sun rays is to wear a hat, but that’s not an option during Wimbledon matches. Borrow from the playbook of 26-year-old Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and condition hair with a mask. Jankovic applies twice each week and lets moisture sink in by leaving the mask on for 15 minutes. She also sprays a UV protectant on her hair when she plays. Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray Broad, ($35) gives amazing 2-in-1 protection with its skin and hair sunscreen spray with this SPF 30. Find it at Sephora.
Dermatologists also advise regular applications of an SPF lip balm, since that skin is so thin it’s vulnerable to sun damage and skin cancer. Neutrogena Naturals Lip Balm ($2.99) at neutrogena.com soothes lips with Vitamin E while essential moisture protects against future dryness.
Paula’s Choice LipScreen SPF 50 ($9) is a fragrance and flavor-free lip balm with SPF that protects against harmful UVA rays as it prevents and heals dry, chapped lips. Find it at Paula’s Choice.
