Pretty active: beauty solutions for the minor mishaps that go along with your on-the-go lifestyle

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, Sept, 2004 by Jody Buffalo

YOUR BODY ISN'T A MUSEUM PIECE, meant to be admired but not taken out into the real world. Far from it. Your beauty increases when you put your body through its paces, either outdoors or in the gym. Unfortunately, testing your body's limits can cause some cosmetic wear and tear. Take, for instance, the minor scrapes you can get from a mishap in the free-weight room, or from a spill on your bike. Without proper care, these can turn into ugly, permanent scars, but now there's something you can do about it. Even if you're used to a simple wash-and-go routine, you may find it worthwhile to check out the new practical solutions available to deal with these workout "accidents" and help you look your best.

Prevent scars: It's inevitable that you'll get minor blisters, cuts and scrapes from run-ins with pavement, asphalt or even other athletes, but you can prevent permanent marks with Zip's Scab Dab ($9; www.zipsnatural sport.com). This all-natural antiseptic salve contains rose hip and evening primrose oils to help promote the regeneration of skin cells and reduce scarring, as well as organic gotu kola and calendula to help accelerate wound healing and reduce inflammation.

Banish breakouts: Sweat and oil production teamed with tight-fitting workout clothes plug pores fast. Swipe your forehead after a sweat session with handy salicylic acid oil-controlling wipes, such as Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing Daily Cleansing Pads ($5; at drugstores); they help remove oil and pore-plugging dead skin cells. At night, for oily, breakout-prone skin on your face (and body if needed), use a cleanser. Try Neutrogena's new Oil-Free Acne Wash 60 Second Mask Scrub ($8; at drugstores), which works both as a cleanser and a fast-acting mask.

Forgo that farmer's tan: Hours spent training outside in practice gear can leave you with an uneven tan (read: white ankles and thighs from socks and shorts). Try Aveeno's new Positively Radiant Body Wash ($6) and Moisturizing Lotion ($8; both at drugstores); both contain soy, which has been proven to help even out skin tone over time, as well as natural light diffusers, to immediately reflect light to smooth out skin's imperfections.

Tame tresses: When you're in and out of workouts and showers, you don't always have the time--or energy--to blow-dry your hair straight. But now you can get straight, frizz-free hair for up to three months with Easy Straight ($30; at drugstores), an at-home hair-straightening system developed by New York City hairstylist Haime Munoz. The process takes only about an hour from start to finish, and is safe for color-treated hair.

Protect your skin: Because sunlight is your skin's worst enemy, you should never be caught without sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF 30 ($32; www.dermalogica.com) can be used alone or added to your favorite moisturizer or foundation. Parsol 1789 protects skin against the sun's damaging rays, while vitamins A, C and E and grapeseed oil and green tea extracts further help protect against premature aging.

Cool down: After a strenuous, sweaty workout, give your muscles a treat by washing with Lush's Frozen Slammer Shower Gel ($11.45; www.lush.com). Just place your shower gel pack in the freezer, then when you're ready to shower, cut off a segment and massage the frozen gel all over your wet skin to refresh and cool, then rinse. Added rock salt gently polishes, while lemon and lime cleanse and tone--not to mention add a fresh burst of scent.