The Importance of the Right Sports Towel for Your Skin

You probably haven't thought about it much up until now, but the wrong sports towel can quickly and easily irritate and damage your skin. In this blog we will go through the various benefits of a proper sports towel, which contribute to healthy and soft skin during and after sports.

 

Disadvantages of the wrong sports towel

Using the wrong sports towel has several disadvantages. It can irritate the epidermis, dry it out and remove the skin's lipid barrier, which can lead to dryness and skin irritations.

Epidermis

The epidermis, also called the epidermis, is the skin layer that you see and feel on the outside. This epidermis consists of two layers. The top layer is called the stratum corneum. This layer provides strength and protection. Among other things, against dehydration. Too dry skin can eventually lead to a rash or flaky skin, or eczema. The layer under the stratum corneum is called the mucus layer. From this mucus layer, new skin cells grow that replace dead cells from the stratum corneum. This process continues throughout your life.

Barrier lipid layer

The barrier lipid layer is a layer of lipids, ceramides and fatty acids in your epidermis. They are located in the stratum corneum of your epidermis and form a kind of “cement” between the cells. This layer plays an essential role in the barrier function of the skin. For example, the lipid layer offers protection against external stressors, such as UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, bacteria and fungi, viruses, irritants and allergens.

When the lipid barrier is disrupted, moisture loss from the skin increases. As a result, the skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) becomes unbalanced, resulting in a buildup of dead skin cells. This causes dry, dull skin. When your skin is both dry and dehydrated, it becomes more sensitive and more likely to show signs of premature aging.

 

Poor quality cotton sports towels, for example, can go from a soft to a rough surface after just a few washes, thus damaging essential layers of your skin during use. Resulting in dehydrated and irritated skin.

 

Benefits of a good sports towel

In contrast, the right sports towel has properties that can soothe your skin and protect it against skin irritation and dehydration.

For your face during sports, it is advisable to use a high-quality sports towel made of soft microfiber. High-quality, soft microfiber has the property of being able to absorb moisture without damaging the skin. Absorbing sweat and keeping your skin protected at the same time is what you want during sports.

Due to its soft, cleansing and absorbing properties, microfiber is very suitable for the skin. Microfiber also often feels cooler on the skin compared to sports towels made of cotton, for example. This is because the microfiber sports towel is very thin, soft and smooth and stores less heat than a cotton version.

Microfiber

By combining polyester and polyamide fibers and then splitting them into ultra-fine threads, microfiber is created. These threads are woven together to create a fabric that is incredibly soft, durable, and highly absorbent. These microscopic fibers are uniquely constructed to trap dirt, dust, and moisture, making them ideal for the gym or home gym. The fine hairs that make up microfiber also make the fabric feel incredibly soft.

Conclusion

Using the wrong sports towel can lead to dehydration and irritation of the skin with possible consequences. That is why it is important to make the right choice when purchasing a sports towel. Fortunately, there is a solution for this, namely high-quality microfiber sports towels. This fabric has the right properties to absorb sweat and cleanse the skin during sports. It also softens and protects the skin at the same time.

 

Want to keep your skin healthy while exercising? Then Sorbe is the way to go. Read here why Sorbe sports towels are the right choice for you.

 

 

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