Fitness Facial: Quick Après-Sweat Skin Care Tips
Whether you are working out under the watchful eye of your personal trainer, taking studio classes or going at it solo, getting (and staying) in shape -- while worth every minute -- can be time-consuming. Yet as we all know, there is much more to fitness beyond SoulCycle, CrossFit, and Yoga. Enter skin care, which can easily bring us down the overwhelming product rabbit hole. There are so many choices and so little time. Which is why we consulted with Monika Kozlowska, from Rescue Spa in Philadelphia (and soon to be in NYC), and an aesthetician for 15 years, to help us cut through the noise.
Newsflash: Monika wants us to know that our face has 43 muscles and it too needs a consistent fitness regimen.
According to Monika, “Your face is more important than your abs because that is what people see first.” She wants us to think about being fit head to toe, not just delts to calves.
She is a firm (no pun intended) believer that holistic products, used consistently and post-sweat, will not only lift your facial muscles but also oxygenate, detox and nourish your skin.
Monika, a mother to two young FitCritters, knows about being pressed for time. Although we would all love to have monthly facials and a six-step routine consisting of double cleansing, multiple serums, and oils, it isn’t usually our reality. Therefore she recommends three simple steps you can do at home, to keep your skin glowing and healthy.
Following is a list of her favorite products by her most beloved (and mine too) skin care company, Biologique Recherche (BR). Rescue Spa, owner Danuta Mieloch, skin care extraordinaire, describes BR as "a French (need I say more) biological skin care line with over 30 years experience in developing the most powerful and effective skincare products in the beauty industry. With a clinical approach to skin care using intentionally pure, concentrated, raw, 50% or more active ingredients, Biologique Recherche is truly a unique and rare luxury skincare line without the frills." These days there are so many choices when it comes to skin care, but when BR has founded they were trailblazers and they continuously perfect their line with breakthrough products. Although they are not the cheapest, in my experience, they are definitely the most effective. I could tell you stories upon stories of my problematic pre-BR skin, but we can chat about that over P50 (see below) one day.
1. Lotion P50: known as a 'facial in a bottle' and an ‘elixir.’ You will find this cult favorite on many a famous face’s lists of products they can not live without. P50 will tone, balance, hydrate and exfoliate your skin. It is a magic toner, rich in acids and antibacterial phenol. Monika promises that it is “amazing after a workout.” She advises to use it twice a day, post cleanse. Dispense onto a cotton pad and lightly wipe all over face, neck, and chest.
2. Mask Vivant: It contains pure live yeast, vitamin B and a pinch of baking soda. It provides great balance and purification, preps your skin, closes your pores and exfoliates. For best results, use weekly. Monika suggests you leave it in the kitchen and apply while making dinner or tending to other home bound tasks. Just don’t offer to help the kids with homework while wearing the “brown smelly goo” as my kids refer to it. Maybe that isn’t such a bad thing?
3. Creme Dermopurifiante: Monika states that this is her “favorite lotion to start and balance the skin’s ph (which is its natural protection). Dermopurifiante regulates your skin by moisturizing the dry parts, yet it absorbs excess sebum (oil)”. She recommends you use this post P50.
4. Lastly, don't forget to use sunscreen. Danuta says that "Using sunscreen is the cheapest and most effective anti-aging product you can find. By now we all now how damaging sun exposure really is. Protect yourself! Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 33 is the most effective, non-greasy, moisturizing sunscreen you can find. Use daily. Don't forget the back of your hands!"
