Post-Workout Skincare Routine

Blogger Jessica Sturdy shares her after workout beauty routine.

Getting back into the swing of things in Chicago has meant getting back into my regular workout routine, and man has it felt G-O-O-D! (Summer is just around the corner, hopefully!) I worked out a handful of times in Australia (it was much easier in the big cities with Class Pass!) and we were pretty active with walking and exploring, too, but there’s nothing like a proper sweat sesh in your favorite home studios, you know? Probably my favorite part of coming home, tbh. That, and having my whole medicine cabinet of beauty products at my disposal!

Jessica Sturdy shares her beauty routine for after workouts to avoid breakouts.

I will say, though, sweat can take a toll on your skin if you’re not careful. I’ve always tried to wash my face right after I workout (like, before I even take off my spin shoes), but my skin always felt SO dry after using the stuff in the SoulCycle locker rooms. (And even worse, CorePower Yoga doesn’t even have face wash in the locker room.) So when I’d forget to bring my own, I was always worried. And then when I’d get home and shower, I’d be washing my face again and it was just kind of a vicious cycle. I felt like I was always trying to beat breakouts, but also moisturize to combat dryness, and would end up aggravating my skin in the process. (Red, irritated, etc.) Can you relate?!

FYI: This post is not sponsored, but all of these products were sent to me to try out at one point or another. After using them for an extended period of time, loving them, and seeing results, I’m just genuinely sharing to spread the news! (I hate that I have to say that, but just so we’re all on the same page.) Let’s get to it…

I’m absolutely obsessed with FRÉ Skincare. I toss this little blue drawstring bag in my purse on my way out the door to workout… I keep everything in it. (My lock for yoga, hair ties, a mini mascara, eye cream, face and body wipes, and of course — the skincare products.)

It took me a while to finally try these FRÉ products after they were sent to me (I kept forgetting to actually take them to the gym), but once I did, I was HOOKED. Absolutely hooked! After a single time using them, I could feel how different my skin felt when I was leaving whichever workout studio. It felt SO much more nourished, soft, and hydrated. Shockingly so! I remember I kept feeling my skin on the walk home… It was so much different than my skin had ever felt after a workout. (Even when I was using my own AM/PM products.)

Purify Me // This cleanser is AMAZING for post-workout. It’s a cream cleanser with very tiny beads that gently exfoliate. (I always feel like that’s necessary after an especially sweaty or intense workout!) It doesn’t dry out my skin AT ALL and I haven’t had a single workout-related breakout since I’ve started using it, honestly. So I’d definitely stand behind the claim that it “prevents and treats breakouts, de-stresses and re-balances skin pH, post-workout.”

Revive Me // This lightweight serum is what I use right after I wash my face, in place of a moisturizer. Nourishing and replenishing are the only words I can think of to describe it… It honestly feels like a tall glass of water for your skin that’s extra thirsty after a workout. Someone recently mentioned to me (so very sweetly) that I looked like I was glowing after a workout. (Whereas, in my mind, I felt like I should have looked like a red, sweaty pig.) Somehow, it truly does give you a healthy glow, and I always feel very confident leaving the gym fresh-faced (without any makeup), even if I’m running errands or grabbing a bite with a friend afterwards. Here’s what the website says… it’s a “specialized anti-aging serum that boosts fatigued skin with vitamins and minerals, regenerates collagen and skin elasticity, creating an energized healthy glow.” Sounds about right!

Protect Me // This is the product I use the least, as most of my workouts tend to be indoors. This one is actually meant to be used first in the 3-step system (before your workout) to protect your skin from sun damage and aging while you’re exercising outdoors (on a run, walk, bike ride, etc.). It’s SPF30 and water-resistent so it won’t clog your pores or sting your eyes when you’re sweating! If it’s a super sunny day, I’ll actually put a little bit of this on over the serum when I’m getting ready to leave the gym. But I love this as a facial sunscreen when I’m not wearing makeup, like when I’m just going for a walk on the lake or something of the sort.

I will say, the FRÉ products look super small, but they actually last a long time! A little goes a very long way with each of them. They’re not cheap, but the quality is definitely there and I’m always one to promote investing in a skincare regime. And, if you want to give it a try, you can use code ‘BSS’ for 15% off your order!

My favorite face wipes right now are the Simple Skincare ones. I didn’t think I was that brand loyal in the makeup wipe category… I tend to buy whatever is on sale or the generic ones when I’m making a Target run, but every time I bought a pack of these, I was reminded that they really are my favorite. I feel like they’re the most gentle and non-irritating for my skin! I never exclusively use just a makeup wipe (unless it’s like 2am after a night out, haha), they’re usually just a makeup remover for me before I cleanse my skin. So I prefer them to be gentle so my skin doesn’t freak out with multiple products! I keep these in my bag to do a quick wipe to remove any makeup before I sweat in class. (You can buy them on Amazon, at Target, or Ulta, too.)

These wipes are a little bit different (and maybe TMI), but I’m obsessed with them. If I’m not showering at the studio and need to run a few errands after the gym, I use these SweetSpot wipes to make sure there aren’t any sweaty smells, if ya catch my drift! I won’t go into too much detail, but I really like them and also have the cleanser in my shower at home. (You can find them at Target & Amazon!)

In my little workout beauty bag, I keep the Tula Revitalizing Eye Cream! It’s super moisturizing and is supposed to calm puffiness, and I definitely feel like it helps to wake up my peepers when I’m feeling exhausted. (It’s got lots of anti-aging ingredients, too.) I never wash my face without applying eye cream after and I love this one post-workout. In the dead of winter when it was well below freezing in Chicago, I would also keep this Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream in my bag for the few days when I needed an extra-thick eye cream.

Beauty and lifestyle blogger Jessica Sturdy shares her post-gym beauty routine.

What does your post-workout beauty routine look like?! Any products you always keep in your gym bag? I’d love to hear!

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9 Comments

  1. 3.28.18
    Allie said:

    My gym tip is that if I don’t have my products with me, I’ll wipe my face with just water and wash when I get home. I haven’t tried Fre skincare before, but now I’m super interested! xAllie http://www.theallthatglittersblog.com

    • 3.28.18
      Jessica said:

      I’ve done that, too! Definitely better than nothing!

  2. 3.28.18
    Taylor said:

    I’m an instructor at CPY and I usually keep the Simple face wipes in my bag for taking makeup off before class and then the M-61 cleansing cloths for after class.

    I love both products, but I definitely need some moisture afterwards which is why I’m definitely going to try out Fre!

    Thanks so much for sharing!

    xo, Taylor

  3. 3.30.18
    alyson said:

    Thanks for sharing — I could really use a post workout skin update so this is super helpful.

    alyson
    http://www.themodernsavvy.com

  4. 1.18.20
    Ashley said:

    I always neglect my skin when I’m exercising. This post was such as useful guide and a reminder that exercising involves all of the body, not just the wobbly bits we want to change! Thank you for sharing xxx