How to Build the Perfect Pre- and Post-Gym Skincare Routine

Ever notice how your skin feels—and looks—after an intense workout? Just like your muscles, your skin puts in serious work during exercise, and it deserves some extra attention. Skipping a pre- or post-sweat skincare routine might seem harmless, but it can leave your skin feeling anything but fresh.

Whether you're a Pilates pro or a treadmill rookie, taking a few extra steps before and after you hit the gym can keep your complexion glowing and gym-time breakouts at bay. We've teamed up with Starr Hawkins, aka @babymommafit, and Mitchel Rivera, @mitchelarivera to bring you the ultimate guide to pre- and post-gym skincare.

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MEET THE EXPERTS

Mitchel Rivera 

Founder of Cloud Spa & Hospitality in Puerto Rico and a licensed massage therapist. 

Starr Hawkins 

A Miami-based certified fitness trainer and Pilates instructor. She’s also a mom, fitness enthusiast, and content creator.

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“Having clean skincare is important for everyone,” Rivera explains, “but for people with active lifestyles, it’s especially crucial to have a clean regimen in place.” That’s because between sweating it out and exposure to various elements, your skin faces challenges during exercise.

Think about it: How many times have you felt that uncomfortable mix of sweat and product on your face or body during a workout or noticed red spots appearing after an intense training session? Many fitness enthusiasts struggle with these common concerns, from congested pores to friction from workout gear.

The environment plays a bigger role than you might think. “For clients who work out indoors, hygiene contamination is a big concern since multiple people are touching surfaces and then their face,” says Rivera. “Meanwhile, outdoor fitness exposes skin to pollutants, sun exposure, and climate factors that can have adverse effects.”

When to Apply Your Products

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is applying products right before jumping into an intense workout. Instead, apply your pre-workout skincare at least 15 minutes before exercise, allowing everything to settle into the skin. Afterward, cleanse your face and body within 10 minutes of finishing your session for the best results.

Pre-Workout Prep 

Think of this as your skin's warm-up routine. Just like you wouldn't jump into an intense workout without stretching, your skin needs proper prep, too. A little work goes a long way in keeping sweat, dirt, and oil from wreaking havoc on your complexion. Here’s how to get your skin in gear before you break a sweat:

Rivera recommends prepping your skin routine the night before with a good cleanser, toner, serum, and night creams. Once you wake up, start with a nice splash of cold water, toner and face shield. He assures, “I wouldn’t formally wash the face till after my workout to prevent overwashing.”

Hawkins keeps her pre-workout routine quick but effective with three key steps:

• A hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid

• Lightweight moisturizer

• Face shield for protection

Post-Workout Glow 

After all the effort, your skin deserves a little TLC to match your inner glow. Between teaching multiple classes and creating content for her at-home clients, Hawkins knows the importance of post-workout skincare. She always makes sure to rinse her face immediately to avoid those pesky workout breakouts. “I also use a refreshing facial mist or gentle cleansing wipes, especially after intense sessions, to keep my skin feeling clean and energized,” she says.

Her favorite? The Algo Mist® Hydrating Seaweed Facial Spray for its cooling and hydrating properties that don’t clog pores.

Rivera's post-workout ritual includes a complete refresh: cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, eye cream, and face shield to help skin bounce back after sweating.

Like many skincare enthusiasts, time is of the essence, so Hawkins says she likes to keep things “simple and efficient” by focusing on cleansing, hydrating and using a face shield. “I want to look young forever, and with Florida’s brutal sun, [face shield] is a must! My routine is quick but effective.” 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some frequent missteps to avoid before or after hitting the gym: 

• Wearing makeup during workouts

• Using heavy creams that can clog pores when sweating

• Forgetting to tie hair back, allowing products and oils transfer to your face

• Not changing out of workout clothes promptly

• Using harsh cleansers that can leave skin feeling stripped

Expert-Approved Essentials

Ready to upgrade your gym bag? Here are the products our experts swear by:

Rivera’s Favorites: 

Hydra Blue® Starter Collection with Seaweed Extracts for All Skin Types 

Perfect for your gym bag, this travel-friendly kit includes five essentials from the Sea Cleanse® Foaming Seaweed Cleanser to the Opti-Firm® Eye Contour Cream, packed with soothing ingredients like aloe, cucumber, and chamomile.

Mineral Face Shield

Say goodbye to that uncomfortable, greasy feeling post-workout! This lightweight shield keeps your skin comfortable during exercise and helps maintain that post-workout glow without any heavy residue.

Hydra Dew Pure™ Facial Essence Mist

Featuring Laminaria Digitata seaweed extract and hyaluronic acid, this refreshing mist delivers instant hydration while helping to balance your complexion.

Hawkins Favorites: 

Hydra Dew Pure™ Facial Moisturizer

This lightweight moisturizer featuring Camellia Japonica seed oil gives your skin that perfect dewy finish without feeling heavy.

Algo Mist® Hydrating Seaweed Facial Spray

Keep this product handy in your bag and spritz when you need that refreshing boost after a long workout. A combination of seaweed extract, Vitamin C, Gingko Biloba, aloe and orange water helps to keep skin feeling smooth and soft.

Body Care Essentials 

While we all know the importance of protecting our face during workouts, your body deserves just as much love. We've curated six products and tools that'll transform your fitness skincare routine from head to toe. These essentials work overtime to keep your skin happy and healthy—during your sweatiest moments and long after you leave the gym.

Dry Body Brush with Exfoliating Cactus Bristle

Give your skin the wake-up call it deserves with our natural cactus bristle brush. Sturdy Beechwood and powerful cactus bristles gently buff away dull skin while stimulating your body's natural contours. Plus, its handy canvas strap means you'll never drop it during your skincare ritual.

Vita Cura® CelluSea Firm™ Neck and Body Serum

Meet your post-workout body goals with this powerhouse serum that's basically a green juice for your skin. Packed with seaweed extracts, peptides, and caffeine, this luxurious formula helps firm and smooth tired muscles while fighting dryness. Heavenly scents of neroli, grapefruit, and mint will make you feel like you're at a spa.

Vita Cura® CelluSea Lift™ Body Contour Cream

Treat your skin to this ultra-rich cream that brings facial-grade firming power to your whole body. Thanks to three types of seaweed and caffeine, it helps to smooth and tighten skin. 

Vita Cura® Sea Spa Glow Body Exfoliator

This invigorating scrub combines mineral-rich seaweed and marine salt with cooling triple mint oils to wake up tired skin! It's like a refreshing ocean dip that buffs away workout-induced dullness while treating your skin to a vitamin-packed smoothie of nutrients.

LED Radio Frequency and EMS Skin Tightening Machine

This all-in-one beauty tech combines LED light therapy, gentle muscle stimulation, and radio frequency to help firm and refresh tired skin. Perfect for a post-workout facial refresh, it helps your favorite skincare products work even harder while targeting everything from fine lines to post-exercise redness—no downtime needed!

 

Quick Tips for Beauty On-the-Go 

For those days when you're rushing from the gym to work or social plans:

• Keep Hydra Refine® Astringent Pads or our lavender Moist Cotton Towels in your bag for emergencies. 

• Layer products from lightest to heaviest.

• Use multi-tasking products like the Algo Mist® Hydrating Seaweed Facial Spray for both toning and refreshing.

• Pack travel-sized versions of your favorites, like the Hydra Blue® Starter Collection, for a complete routine in compact sizes.

Remember, taking care of your skin doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you’re gearing up for a workout or cooling down afterward, these small skincare steps can make a big difference in how you feel—body and skin included. 

As Hawkins puts it, "Fitness and skincare are both about self-care and confidence. A simple, effective routine can empower anyone to feel great inside and out.”