All of us at Healthista HQ love to workout and we all have simple yet definite routines that we follow post workout every time. These are our must-haves
Here at Healthista we absolutely love talking about our favourite things. It is not uncommon for us to spend ten minutes while making tea talking about our favourite new vegan chocolate or the wonderful new face moisturiser that we found a week ago. To us, there is nothing better than sharing the best products that we have found. This time we decided to take it to the internet, giving our best secrets for post-workout products that we cannot live without.
Skin Saver: Aveeno Moisturizer
The unique formula is designed to go further than 24-hour moisturizer and replenish dull, dry and sullen skin within two weeks. It’s an instant classic with celebs like Jennifer Aniston raving about, and we all want to look like Jen when we are her age.
Vanessa Chalmers says: ‘I have been using this for the past 10 years or so. It was first prescribed to me by my doctor, but a decade later Jenifer Anniston is the face of the brand. I have never had any issues with the skin on my face since using it, and now my skin completely depends on it, especially after it has been washed! After a workout I always wash my face in the gym, I hate the feeling of a sweaty salty face. I rinse my hands under very cold water and apply the moisturiser to my face, almost giving myself a mini facial. The cold hands are so relieving, and actually, cools you down rather than splashing yourself with water.’
I rinse my hands under very cold water and apply the moisturiser to my face, almost giving myself a mini facial.
Quick Fix: Eyelash curler
Simple yet effective. Curled eyelashes are sometimes forgotten about but can make such an impact. A quick minute on each eye can create a beautiful intense curl that can last all day. Simply curling your eyelashes can take your mascara from drab to fab.
Vanessa Chalmers says: ‘I wish my eyelashes were permanently curled because I look like a new human. I don’t wear makeup in the gym because I feel dirty, but I would never ever step in there without curling my eyelashes. I have recently had LVL eyelashes done at Nouveau, which is a lifting and tinting treatment. It’s popular with gym goers because your eyelashes can look curled and dark without anything on them, saving you from embarrassing black makeup sweat down your face.’
Moisturising Saviour: Skin & Tonic Brit Beauty Oil
Full of omega rich minerals like Borage, Thistle and Chia Seed which are packed with antioxidants and omegas three and six which helps to minimize fine lines, reduce large pores and boost cellular function. You can apply a few drops directly to your face, add it to your moisturizer or even rub on your hands and breathe deeply for a few seconds to release tensions.
This is the only product that I trust to keep my skin hydrated and clear during those cold outdoor runs in the winter.
Yanar Alkayat says: ‘I put this on before every outdoor’s run to keep my skin hydrated and protected from the elements. Deeply nourishing and full of antioxidant protection from five natural and organic botanical oils and vitamin E. This is the only product that I trust to keep my skin hydrated and clear during those cold outdoor runs in the winter.’
Pore Unclogging: Medik8 Pore Cleanse
With both AHA and BCA acids the Medik8 Pore Cleanse works to manage oily and aging skin as well as exfoliate the skin of toxins without irritation. It cleans deep into the pores, exfoliates and prepares your skin for the rest of your beauty routine.
Yanar Alkayat says: ‘Working out with uncleansed skin can lead to breakouts and equally, leaving pores clogged with sweat can also lead to breakouts so be contentious about cleansing. This product is sulphate-free so won’t strip skin of its natural oils and the BHAs and AHAs are gentle fruit acids that exfoliate skin and deep clean pores without any scratchy beads. Excellent if you are prone to breakouts too.’
More: 10 best natural products you need this winter
No budge makeup: Mac False Lash Waterproof
An ultra-thickening formula combined with the double-lush brush adds a boost to your lashes that can make them look false when they are very real indeed. The volume and curl that you could get from this mascara rivals even the fullest false lashes.
I’ve never had a mascara roll with the punches like this one. The rest all flake off during my workouts whereas this one doesn’t move an inch.
Yanar Alkayat says: ‘The clue’s in the name. This mascara really beats others in achieving a defined, fanned look that stays put even through buckets of sweat during my Crossfit workouts. I’ve never had a mascara roll with the punches like this one. The rest all flake off during my workouts whereas this one doesn’t move an inch. I just happened upon it one day while looking for a better mascara thinking I would try this one and it turned out to be the best one I’ve ever used!’
Sex Appeal: Agent Provocateur Fatale Intense Eau de Parfum
A fusion of rich and luxurious contrasting facets seduce with a mysterious allure. With a rich blend of exotic flowers evoking lust & passion – the essence of this fragrance. The fragrance includes both the Divine Champaca Flower and Rouge Baiser Rose, which are known for their aphrodisiac powers.
Ony Anukem says: ‘After a workout because of the rush of endorphins I feel positive and sexy, to make this feeling last longer I like to wear clothes, use products and listen to music that makes me feel good. One product that I absolutely adore is the Agent provocateur Fatale Intense Eau De Parfum; it is sweet and spicy all at the same time and as the name suggests it leaves you smelling seductive. I like to spray it on my neck, wrists and my waist – I finish at the gym by 7:30am and 12 hours after I can still smell it and funnily enough when smell it on myself, it reminds me of the good workout I did in the morning. I first discovered this product when I was in the airport on my way to Milan and I have been addicted ever since.’
More: BDSM- a how-to guide for beginners
Mane tamer: Tangle Teezer
The Tangle Teezer is really a cult product with more than one of our team members raving about how much they needed this in their gym bags. With different brushes for normal and curly hair, no one hair is left unbrushed with the cult classic Tangle Teezer.
Parisa Hashempour says: ‘I always wished I had the kind of hair that is straight and smooth with minimal effort – I don’t. Untamed, my hair gives a young Bon Jovi a run for his money and that is why I’m obsessed with my tangle teezer. They’re the only thing that will get through my knotted hair. Plus they’re cute to look at and fit easily in my handbag. I discovered tangle teezer after watching Cara Delevigne do a YouTube video on what she had in her handbag (not that her gorgeously sleek hair needs it) and as soon as I gave one a try I was immediately on board.’
Acne Killer: Neutrogena Visibly Clear Exfoliating Wash
This brilliant face wash contains natural plant extracts and soft microbeads to gently exfoliates your face after a hard and sweaty workout. The use of small microbeads helps to get rid of dead skin and clean deep into the pores leaving your face soft and smooth.
Ony Anukem says: ‘I sweat a lot during my workout, so it’s important for me to have an exfoliating wash that I can use daily to keep my pores clean and clear – for me the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Gentle Exfoliating Wash works perfectly. I have been using it since I was a teen; it redresses the imbalance in my skin after a workout and leaves my skin soft and spot free.’
More: Five fats your face needs
Gentle Cleanser: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser
Another cult classic here with the Kiehl’s face wash. So many members of our team LOVE this product and rave about how brilliant it cleans the skin after a good sweat. This gentle, pH-balanced liquid cleanser produces a foaming lather that cleanses skin of excess oils, dirt and debris without over-drying.
Parisa Hashempoursays: ‘When it comes to Kiehl products I am totally sold. After a sweaty gym session, my face is not in tip-top shape and when I use my Kiehl’s face wash it sorts me right out. I love that the wash lathers well and brings off everything that is on my face. I inherited my love of Kiehl’s from my mum who got me addicted to the stuff, she raves about it. And for good reason – this is my number one favourite post gym face product.’
More: We love: the cleansing brush that makes your face sparkle
Enviroment Friendly: KeepCup 
With hundreds of color and style options, even the option to design your own. KeepCup is an environmentally friendly, with most of the cups being recyclable at the end of their long life, brand that is focused on exemplifying your personal style through your mug. Perfect for your morning cuppa of tea or coffee and good for the environment too.
Parisa Hashempour says: ‘I love Keep Cup firstly because it is pretty but mostly because rather than wasting plastic cups at coffee shops I can use my KeepCup when I buy coffees or I can stick a tea bag in before I leave for the gym and fill it up with hot water afterward. I use it every day of my life. I’m especially a huge fan of the fact that it stays cool in your hand even though your drink is piping hot. I first came across it when I was looking for Christmas gifts for my family and it turned out to be a gift for me (thanks me!).‘
Deep clean: Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel
With the advent around not using microbeads in exfoliators, this chemical exfoliant is the best thing for whicking the dead skin off of your face and away from clogging your pores after an intense workout.
Anna Baron says: ‘After a sweaty workout sometimes washing my face just isn’t enough. I love the exfoliating gel because you can really feel the grime coming right off. It doesn’t contain any microbeads which is great for the environment and in this case my face. You can feel the dead skin peeling off your face which is super satisfying. I use it after my workouts around two to three times a week and I have really seen a difference in the brightness and youthfullness of my skin.’
You can feel the dead skin peeling off your face which is super satisfying.
More: 6 best body scrubs without microbeads
Redness reducer: Caudalie Beauty Elixer
This soothing spray containing grape seed extract, orange blossom water and organic mint oil has a calming, toning and radiant effect on the skin. It is perfect for applying before your creams, before your powder or at any time during the day.
It reduces the time it takes my face to usually cool down drastically and it is a wonderful smelling product, which everyone needs after a hard gym session
Anna Baron says: ‘Nothing feels better than a quick few spirits of the Beauty Elixer after my workout. I’ve always been the person that blushes easily and gets extremely red during a workout which is probably why I am so attached to this product. It reduces the time it takes my face to usually cool down drastically and it is a wonderful smelling product, which everyone needs after a hard gym session. I found it randomly back in the states when a friend let me borrow it after a cycling class. I haven’t looked back since! ‘
Lip protector: Carmex- Moisturising Lip Balm
If you are suffering from dry, chapped (or are just a mouth breather like me) you will know how great a good lip balm is. This is one of the best, with over 137 sold every minute around the world, it looks like I’m not the only one who thinks so.
Anna Baron says: ‘I have used this since I was little always playing outside in the cold. My lips are always either chapped or on the verge of getting chapped so I am always carrying some Carmex with me where ever I go. I like it better than petroleum or a chapstick because I really feel like it’s helping my lips rather than just putting a band-aid on the problem. It doesn’t smell either which is a big reason why I love it, no weird medicinal taste either! I cannot live without this in the gym. Especially during a particularly heavy workout, I find my lips get chapped really quickly so I am constantly reaching for my Carmex.’
Blessing from the Hair Gods: Aquis Hair Towel
Microfibre towels are all the rage right now. This is one of the best (and our editors favourite). ‘Your hair is never as vulnerable as when it is wet,’ claims the Aquis packaging. This towel aims to reduce the tearing, frizzing and drying out mess that happens when you dry your hair with a regular towel.
Anna Magee says: ‘I love this product because it cuts my hair-drying time by about half and when you have as much hair as I do, that is a priceless benefit. Post-shampooing, it gets the moisture out of my course, thick, wavy hair twice as well as a regular towel and so my gym bag is never without it and also leaves it feeling a lot silkier than other towels which really frizz it up. It’s really been life-changing. The towel also dries really quickly and seems to not ‘hang on’ to moisture. I confess Only was it once a week (having done about four workouts) and it never gets smelly. I also love that it’s a long, rectangular shape which makes it really practical to dry your hair with.’
it cuts my hair-drying time by about half and when you have as much hair as I do, that is a priceless benefit.
Read more:
Can this one workout reverse ageing?
Polyamory – would you have more than one partner?
My bloating turned out to be ovarian cancer
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
