What Cycling Taught Me About Skincare

As someone who spends a lot of time on my bike, I’ve always known the sun could wear me down. I just never paid close attention to how it was affecting my skin. That changed in the summer of 2023. After a long ride one day, I looked in the mirror and noticed something strange. My skin looked two-toned. The areas under my jersey were lighter, and the rest was much darker. I had always assumed the sun was just making me tan, but this wasn’t a healthy tan. I was dealing with hyperpigmentation.

Before that moment, skincare wasn’t even in my vocabulary. I’ve always believed nobody is truly ugly. It just takes a bit of effort to look good. But I hadn’t been putting in the effort. Then one day, I saw an ad for men’s skincare products while browsing online. It made me pause. That same day, I also searched for sunscreens for cyclists. I started connecting the dots. The uneven tone wasn’t random. It was the result of long rides without adequate protection, especially being someone from a hot climate where sunscreen never felt urgent.

I started using SPF 50+ sunscreen before every ride in the summer of 2024. But I quickly ran into a problem. Most sunscreens need to be reapplied every two hours. That’s not exactly realistic when you’re in the middle of a race. There’s already not enough room in the tiny pockets on the back of a cycling jersey, and I wasn’t about to stop mid-ride to reapply lotion. I still plan to carry it next summer though, and I’ll probably try reapplying while coasting on flat sections, especially on my arms. My arms took the worst of it.

I’ve learned that sunscreen is about more than just stopping hyperpigmentation. It also helps prevent skin cancer and early aging. I came across an article in the Washington Post article that broke this down in simple terms. That made me even more serious about wearing sunscreen before heading out.

At one point, I brought up my skin concerns to a friend. She suggested laser treatment and took me to Fox Aesthetics. When I got there, the consultant said my skin wasn’t bad enough to need a laser, which was good to hear. Instead, she recommended a hydrafacial. And honestly, that hydrafacial changed everything. The whole session took about 60 minutes. It involved deep cleansing, hydration with antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, and a custom booster based on my skin. They finished off with red and blue LED light therapy. It was my first real experience taking care of my skin like that. When I walked out, my face felt different. I saw the glow people always talk about.

After that, I picked up a few products: an exfoliating face scrub, moisturizer, and sunscreen. But I didn’t stay consistent. I kept forgetting to use the scrub two or three times a week. And the sunscreen I got left a white residue on my skin, which made me less motivated to keep using it.

By early spring, I decided to give it another try and started buying new products based on recommendations. I got a Kojic Acid Skin Soap for Pigmentation. I used that for months until November 2024. I was already using a face scrubber from Lumin Face Wash Silicone Micro Scrubber, something I’ve had in my routine since 2020. Around that same time, I added the Botanics All Bright Smoothing Face Scrub, All Bright Glow Toner, All Bright Vitamin C Glow Serum, vitamin C serum, and their rebranded exfoliating toner with wood extract and ascorbic acid. I also started using Naturium Dew-Glow Tinted Moisturizer SPF 50+ for my face and switched to using Banana Boat Ultra Sport Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 for my arms and body.

It became less about having a routine just to have one, and more about seeing progress. My goals were simple: reduce hyperpigmentation, stay hydrated, and improve my skin’s texture and brightness. I still fall off some weeks, but I keep trying.

To get a better picture of where I stood, I used an AI skin analysis tool from Lumin. The scan gave me helpful insights. It showed that I needed more hydration, my pores were a little too visible, and I had minor wrinkles that could be managed with firming and hydrating products. My under-eye area showed signs of dark circles, and I was still prone to occasional breakouts. Thankfully, it said my skin was even in tone and free of redness, which I took as a win.

But my care wasn’t just about my face. After my ex introduced me to exfoliating body washes from Walgreens back in 2020, I slowly began thinking more about body skincare. In summer 2023, I started using Olay’s Exfoliating and Hydrating Body Wash with deep sea minerals and coconut water. Then I switched to the Rose Water and Sweet Nectar one in 2024. I still have a couple of bottles of the earlier version left, and I plan to use them all up.

I’ve used Dr. Bronner’s soap before, but that was back when I wasn’t really paying attention. One thing I do know is that I sometimes get itchy after showers, but the itch goes away when I moisturize. I don’t know if it’s the soap or the exfoliating towels. I switch between a Goshi Exfoliating Shower Towel and an African net sponge. Next up, I’m planning to try Goshi’s new exfoliating shower sponge.

For moisturizer, I used to rely on Shea Moisture’s Soothing Body Lotion, but I dropped it. I had a feeling it made me more vulnerable to sun damage, and the label would peel off when wet, which was annoying. Now, I use Naturewell’s Vitamin C Moisture Cream and Naturium’s Glow Getter Body Oil. I use them every morning, and I’ve noticed a real difference in skin tone and texture.

Taking care of yourself shouldn’t be viewed as something feminine or indulgent. Everyone deserves to feel good in their skin. This whole skincare thing started because of the sun and my bike rides, but now it’s something I’m doing for myself. I’ve even started taking peptide collagen, and my nails are stronger and I’ve seen less hair shedding. And yeah, I started doing my own nails too. I bought a gel kit, and it’s actually kind of fun.

For my hair, I use Shea Moisture shampoo and conditioner. For curls, I rely on Brazilian Skala Expert cream and Salon Line oil. And when I run out of my current skincare stock, I want to explore Japanese skincare next. I’ve heard great things about it.

This whole journey is a reminder that self-care isn’t just about how you look. It’s about how you feel when you take the time to care for yourself. I still struggle with consistency. I still forget steps. But I know why I’m doing it, and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made.

This is what I’m working on. These patches on my arms from cycling. The uneven tone on my forehead. They’re not flaws. They’re signs that I’m out there doing what I love. And now I’m learning how to care for myself in the process.