High Intensity Sports Are Increasingly Popular, Don't Ignore Skin Health

Press Conference Opening BUNKR (Photo: VOI/Adelia)

JAKARTA - The increasing trend of performance-based sports in urban areas presents new challenges, not only related to body fitness but also skin health. High-intensity physical activity, especially in tropical and polluted environments such as Jakarta, is considered to increase the risk of skin disorders if not balanced with proper care.

Excessive sweating, oil production on the skin, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, and air pollution are a combination of factors that can trigger various skin problems in active individuals. This condition is often found in those who regularly undergo high-intensity sports, including long-distance running, functional training, to hybrid fitness competitions such as HYROX.

According to skin health practitioners, when the body experiences an increase in temperature due to exercise, the production of sweat and sebum increases. If mixed with dust and pollution, this condition has the potential to clog pores and trigger skin inflammation.

This phenomenon is of concern amid the development of the performance gym category in Jakarta. One of them is through the opening of BUNKR in the PPKGBK Senayan area, Central Jakarta. This training room carries the concept of functional competition-based training such as HYROX and strength & conditioning, which focuses on measurable physical performance.

BUNKR President Director, Natasha Pardede, said that current sports trends show a shift in people's behavior that is increasingly oriented towards long-term health goals, not just fitness routines.

"We see urban people increasingly looking for sports that have clear and measurable goals. Therefore, we built a training room that not only focuses on performance, but also supports recovery and community in one ecosystem," said Natasha Pardede, CEO of BUNKR, when met at the PPKGBK Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Monday, May 25, 2026.

BUNKR is scheduled to open to the public on June 1, 2026 and offer a number of programs such as HYROX-focused training, running clinic, strength & conditioning, calisthenics, to tai chi. The program is designed for various levels of ability, from beginners to competition participants.

In the midst of the development of high-intensity sports, attention to skin health has also begun to be part of a holistic approach to fitness. In the opening press conference of BUNKR, L'Oréal Dermatological Beauty through La Roche-Posay was present as a partner highlighting the impact of sports on skin conditions.

Marketing Director of L'Oréal Dermatological Beauty, Pandu Brodjonegoro, said that skin health issues are often overlooked in an active lifestyle, even though they affect comfort and quality of life.

"When someone exercises at high intensity, many factors can affect skin health, ranging from excessive sweating, clothing friction, sun exposure, to air pollution. In fact, skin comfort is also an important part so that someone can continue to exercise actively," said Pandu Brodjonegoro.

He explained that based on a number of medical studies, sweat mixed with natural skin oils and pollution can increase the risk of acne, irritation, and worsen certain conditions such as eczema. In addition, UV exposure while exercising outdoors can also trigger hyperpigmentation and skin sensitivity.

"Skin problems are not just about appearance, but also about comfort. When the skin is irritated, acne is active, or too exposed to the sun, people can become uncomfortable and eventually reduce their physical activity," added Pandu.

In addition to acne and eczema, some other problems that are considered prone to appear in active individuals include redness of the skin, dandruff due to excessive sweating on the scalp, to increased sensitivity of the skin exposed to heat continuously.

Experts recommend some simple steps to maintain skin health during high-intensity exercise, such as cleaning the face after exercise, changing wet clothes with sweat, maintaining body hydration, and using protection against the sun, especially for outdoor activities.

With the growing culture of active living in big cities, the approach to health is now seen as more holistic. Not only focusing on improving physical performance, but also paying attention to supporting aspects such as body recovery and skin health so that sports activities can be carried out consistently and comfortably.