During a workout, you're trying to stay motivated, make sure your form is correct, push yourself, and work hard to get the most out of your sweat session. But what you do post-workout matters, too. Caring for your body is important during the wind-down.
That means stretching and letting your body recover. You'll want to eat the right foods to refuel, and it's also essential to drink enough water to avoid dehydration and help prevent any muscle soreness. There is one thing you might forget in a post-workout haze, though: giving your skin some love.
Taking care of your skin after a workout can help you cool down and also prevent any breakouts or skin problems because sweat, bacteria, and dirt can really build up. And if you've been touching any equipment and then touching your face, well, you know how grimy that can get. The last thing you want is for all of that stuff to clog your pores, causing skin irritation and other issues.
The good news is your post-workout skincare routine doesn't really have to be that extensive. Prioritize washing your face with your favorite cleanser. Then top it off with some moisturizer. You can also add a toner in between to really get rid of that dirt and grime on your face. And while you could do all of that and call it a day, you could also make sure you're treating the rest of your body right—especially if you don't have time to take a shower but need to refresh. One buzzy product that's been on our radar lately is our sister brand Versed's new Back-Up Plan body mist, which is both refreshing and germ-killing.
The body mist treats body acne, but we think it comes in handy even if you're not dealing with that issue. It's formulated with 2% salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and witch hazel to kill bacteria, reduce inflammation and redness, control excess oil, and just leave your skin feeling so soothed. I can be guilty of not caring for the skin on my body as much as I do the skin on my face, so having this spray will keep me in check but also takes little to no effort to apply. Plus, at $15, it's at the sweet spot in terms of price point.
It's also a favorite with some fitness experts. The Versed team tapped three professional athletes to give the product a try: WNBA player Chiney Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks, five-time Olympic medalist in gymnastics Nastia Liukin, and two-time Olympic gold medalist in track and field Natasha Hastings. They all raved about how sustainable and natural the product was and said that it was lightweight and great as a self-care option. "This product is a game changer," Liukin said. "I'm a big fan of hot yoga (pre-pandemic) and getting in my workout outside (Texas weather is no joke), so sweat is inevitable. Back-Up Plan has my back, literally. I keep it in my day bag and spritz my back post-workout so I can have tank top–ready skin always."
And if you're sold on that product and on the importance of taking care of your skin after a workout, we've rounded up some more handy products below to try after your next fitness session.
Cetaphil's cleanser is a classic, and that's because it works on just about any skin type and is so gentle, hydrating, and hypoallergenic.
If you don't have time to shower after your workout, these biodegradable and compostable wipes will come in handy. They're formulated with neem extract, peppermint, and citrus to refresh, energize, and target bacteria.
This cleanser is an absolute editor favorite. It exfoliates and de-clogs pores while also healing and protecting skin.
After washing your face, spritz on this cooling and hydrating face mist. It will feel so good on skin that feels overheated after an intense workout. It has ingredients like hibiscus flower petals, witch hazel, rose extract, and aloe vera to soothe.
This daily moisturizer targets dry skin with ingredients like ceramides, prebiotic thermal water, glycerin, and niacinamide.
Don't forget to apply sunscreen before you head out. Elta MD's are dermatologist-recommended.
Relieve any muscle tension with this compact rollerball that you can slip into your gym bag. It's made with essential oils like black pepper, clove, and marjoram, plus caffeine to speed up recovery.
Nécessaire's body lotion is fragrance-free, so it's not irritating. It's also made with nourishing ingredients like vitamins B3, A, C, and E, plus omega-6 and -9.
This is one of my favorite cleansers. It's gentle, doesn't dry out my skin, and is good at removing dirt and light makeup. I love that this comes in a set with a bigger one for home and smaller version for your gym bag.
A dual moisturizer-and-sunscreen makes your post-workout skincare routine so much easier. This one provides all-day hydration and restores the skin barrier.
If you really want to get the grime and bacteria off, you can also use a toner. This one is formulated for combination to oily skin and reduces redness, exfoliates dead skin cells, and soothes.
Lululemon makes some great body products, too. This spray deodorant is aluminum-free and contains prebiotics, zinc, and coconut oil.
A nice soak in the tub can help reduce any muscle pain or soreness and speed up recovery. This one from Dr Teal's has energizing and rejuvenating eucalyptus and spearmint.
One of the last things I want to do after a workout when my face feels so hot is put on makeup. Applying Glow Screen is one of my hacks because the sunscreen leaves a nice pearly glow, so I can get away without having to put on a full face of makeup.
This is another refreshing spray option that's especially soothing after a workout. It has red algae, squalane, hyaluronic acid, and Japanese anti-aging superfoods to leave your skin moisturized and glowy.
Vanicream's lotion is one of my go-tos because it's free of dryes, fragrance, parabens, formaldehyde, and other irritating chemicals.
Next up: This $27 Fitness Buy Changed My Workouts for the Better
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.
