A survey conducted by Japan’s Global Sports Alliance (GSA) revealed that environmental issues are changing the way athletes and sport enthusiasts operate. Two of the major concerns for the survey participants were increased risk of sunburn due to global warming, and the negative health effects caused by higher levels of smog and other pollutants. While a shielding lotion may not help your lungs, it can certainly prevent absorption of harmful chemicals and pollutants through the skin, and is the ultimate dry skin remedy for those who spend hours in the sun.

Shielding lotions have been used in many sports-related scenarios including everything from horseback riding to waterskiing and golf, and have been found to prevent and remedy dry skin. In addition to the dangers of the sun for outdoor sports lovers, many sports also involve the use of harmful chemicals - motor sports such as racing and boating often require handling strong solvents and cleaning products during maintenance, swimmers are inundated with chlorine, equestrians and those taking care of horses are handling detergents, medications and waste products, and fishermen endure constant exposure to the cold, damp and sometimes harsh weather. Each of them is battling dehydrated, cracked dry skin.

Shielding lotions have been on the market for some years now, and are moving out of the early adaptor phase into the mainstream. A good shielding lotion bonds with the outer layer of the skin to form a barrier that locks in the skin’s natural moisture, and prevents absorption of contaminants and irritants through the skin.

Applying a shielding lotion prior to using sunscreen prevents moisture loss through the skin, and protects against the harsh chemicals in the sunscreen. Using it on the hands and other areas that may be exposed to pollutants, chemicals and harsh weather conditions works in much the same way – the barrier formed keeps the moisture in, and the unsafe or irritating elements out.

If you want to enjoy your sports activities without worrying about what it’s doing to your skin, a good shielding lotion may be the only protection and dry skin remedy you need.