Given the rise of athleisure and the general cultural obsession with fitness and wellness, it was only a matter of time before we saw an influx of skin and makeup products designed specifically for women who work out.
Cleansing skin post-workout is imperative. When you exercise, your sweat glands work overtime to cool your skin down (think of sweat as a natural A/C). This process helps detox skin by releasing dirt, debris and bacteria on your skin’s surface, all of which you’ll remove with your post-workout facial cleanse. If, however, you have makeup layered on your skin, you’re impeding this process, blocking pores and putting yourself at risk for breakouts. It should come as no surprise that there is now a long list of skin care products being marketed as “post-workout.”
[ Sweat-Proof Makeup You Can Wear to the Gym ]
What is surprising, however, is that there is also a substantial amount of gym makeup available. Whether you want to blame the mirrors, social media or simply a lack of time, many women find themselves struggling to work out bare-faced, which brings us to the rapid rise of sweatproof athleisure makeup. While it will always be best to work out wearing minimal makeup, these specially formulated products can help mitigate damage — and make those gym selfies look better than ever.
Here’s a look at the best athleisure beauty products to use before, during and after your workout.
[ Sweaty Chic: 20 Gym-Friendly Hairstyles to Try Now ]
Do You Workout? These Beauty Products Are Made For You
-
FRÉ
FRÉ (designed for the woman who doesn't want "her face to suffer for the sake of a workout") offers a tightly edited collection of three products — an SPF 30 moisturizer, a hydrating facial cleanser and an anti-aging serum — all of which are hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested and noncomedogenic. Everything in the line is very light, fast-absorbing and moisturizing.
-
Fytt
Fytt (inspired by the word "fit") makes products that are basically smoothies for your skin. They're USDA certified organic and their ingredients are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. The brand's debut collection includes three body scrubs: Detoxifying, Antioxidant and Energizing.
-
Hello FAB
Hello FAB is the new athleisure collection from FAB (a best-seller at Sephora, it's a line that has been favored by women with sensitive skin since its inception). The Hello FAB line includes: Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer, 3 in 1 Superfruit Color Correcting Cushion, Vital Greens Face Mist and Caffeine Matcha Wake Up Wipes. More products are launching for fall.
-
Nip + Fab
Nip + Fab, Rodial's lower-priced line, makes a great post-workout product called Power Workout Fix. While it's part of the brand's men's line, it can work to soothe anyone's achy muscles.
-
Tarte
Tarte, which incorporates naturally derived ingredients that are cruelty-free and vegan into all of its products, launched an athleisure beauty line last year. Products range from deodorant and blotting paper to sweatproof mascara and highlighting moisturizer.
-
Arrow
Arrow is Birchbox's second in-house beauty brand and includes lightweight makeup, skin care and body products designed to enhance natural beauty during (and after) physical activity. Products are sized for easy, on-the-go use and include a cheek tint, lip balm and deodorant.
-
Sweat Cosmetics
Sweat Cosmetics was developed and tested by professional and Olympic female athletes (the co-founder is a professional soccer player). The growing line, which was picked up by Sephora, includes mineral foundation, a bronzer and illuminator, all formulated with SPF.
-
Rae Cosmetics
Rae Cosmetics is a sweat-resistant makeup line developed by a Texas "sweaty girl" who considers, at least for herself, "no makeup not an option" given how much of a social experience working out can be. Her line includes face, cheek, eye, brow and lip products.
-
MAC Cosmetics
MAC's Work It Out line has 16 shades of In Extreme Dimension Mascara, six shades of Crystal Glaze Gloss and a mist called Prep + Prime Fix +, which comes in three scents. Note that this line isn't as gym-friendly as all of the aforementioned ones since products are on the heavy side, but staying true to the brand's signature aesthetic, they're high performance when it comes to color payoff.
