8 Gym bag beauty essentials that will enhance your workout glow

Whether you’re working out indoors or outdoors, applying SPF is non-negotiable. And if nature is your go-to gym, it’s especially important to make sure all the exposed skin on your body is UV-protected, and don’t forget to reapply at least every two hours! Stick to just one sunscreen that you can use generously from head to toe—think Ultra Violette’s Extreme Screen Hydrating Body & Hand Skinscreen SPF 50+.

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When we say make sure all the exposed skin on your body is UV-protected, that includes your lips. Besides, you should be hydrating your lips throughout your workout anyway, so you might as well give it some SPF whilst you’re at it. Supergoop’s Lipshade 100% Mineral SPF 30 Hydrating Lipstick will give your lips all the hydration and UV protection it needs, topped off with a buildable wash of colour. But if you prefer one that’s colourless, Malin + Goetz’s SPF 30 Lip Balm is a great pick that leaves the lips feeling refreshed with its cooling spearmint-infused formula.

Sweating off your calories is undoubtedly a satisfying feeling, but nobody wants to leave the gym with their face dripping in sweat. On top of that, if you have acne-prone skin, all those bacteria and germs at the gym can turn a post-workout glow into a breakout frenzy. Either way, your skin will thank you for keeping a pack of cleansing wipes in your gym bag to give it a quick and easy cleanse without having to rinse your face. Shiseido’s Refreshing Cleansing Sheets will help to remove makeup, oil, and dirt from your skin whilst maintaining its natural pH balance.

If you’ve got brunch plans after your morning workout, showing up with sweat-drenched hair just won’t do. Even if you don’t mind showering at the gym, washing your hair is a whole process that you would probably much rather skip until you get home. Your solution? Dry shampoo. Simply give your tresses a quick spritz of Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo and it’ll soak up all the oil, sweat, and odour whilst leaving a fresh, crisp scent—all without even stepping in the shower. Remember to reapply your sunscreen to help hydrate and moisturise your skin!

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The whole point of working out is that it’s not meant to be a comfortable experience, you’re bound to get some sort of discomfort one way or another, be it sore muscles, chafed skin, or callouses. You know what they say, no pain no gain. But that doesn’t mean you have to endure the pain until it goes away. If anything, you want it to heal as soon as possible so you can get back on track. Whilst it’s no magical healing potion, The Body Shop’s Aloe Multi-use Soothing Face & Body Gel will work wonders to soothe and ease any irritation or soreness with a cooling sensation.

Having a cushion foundation in your gym stash can come in handy if you ever need to run some errands or grab coffee after your workout sesh. Dior’s Prestige Le Cushion Teint de Rose (SPF50/PA+++) is a perfect pick, something that’s lightweight with buildable coverage that you can put on on-the-go without having to apply it onto your skin with your fingers. If you could use some coverage at the gym, it’s also transfer-resistant, offers 24-hour wear, and adjusts to your skin tone for a natural finish.

Whenever you’re chugging down a bottle of water between your sets, chances are, your skin is also desperately craving for some hydration. As sweat evaporates from your skin, it helps regulate your body temperature, but this process also means your body is losing a significant amount of water, even more so if you’re exposed to high heat and humidity for a prolonged period of time.

Our skin thrives on hydration, and whilst drinking water throughout your workout can help rehydrate your body, giving your skin a quick spritz of face mist will instantly rejuvenate it with a much-needed boost of moisture and refreshment. Chanel’s N°1 de Chanel Revitalizing Serum-in-Mist will give your skin that instant pick-me-up along with an extra dose of youthful radiance.

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