Skincare after the sauna (and before): what goes on your skin when
Can I apply cream before the sauna? What about oil during the infusion? And when is the right moment for skincare after the sauna? This guide is about the skin on your body – before, during and after a sauna session. You get an overview table, a five-step routine for afterwards and honest notes on when care alone is not enough. There is a separate article for the face: Facial care around the sauna.
Contents11
- Why the skin has its own rules in the sauna
- Before the sauna: clean and without cream
- During the sauna: only the towel
- Before, during and after the sauna at a glance
- Skincare after the sauna: the five-step routine
- Skincare after the sauna for hands, feet and face
- Skincare for the sauna: what goes in your bag
- Special skin, special care
- Common mistakes in skincare around the sauna
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
Why the skin has its own rules in the sauna
In the sauna, your skin heats up a lot, you sweat, and you shower several times between sessions. Then there is cooling down in the fresh air or in cold water. For the skin this means: lots of water, lots of heat, frequent temperature changes. Skincare should not disrupt this routine. That is why there is a simple rule of thumb for skincare around the sauna: clean and dry before, nothing during, care afterwards.
Before the sauna: clean and without cream
- Shower thoroughly: Showering before the first session is mandatory in every sauna. A mild shower gel removes sweat, deodorant and the residues of the day.
- Dry off well: Dry skin starts sweating faster. A flat hammam towel or a sauna towel does a good job here.
- No cream, no body oil: They form a film on the skin and end up on the towel and the wood in the heat.
- Scrub – if at all, beforehand: A body scrub in the shower is popular before the sauna. It is important to rinse everything off thoroughly so that no oil residues remain. Details are in our guide to body scrubs before the sauna (link below).
- Make-up and face scrub: Remove make-up beforehand. An acid face scrub does not belong right before the sauna – more on this in the article on the lactic acid peel.
During the sauna: only the towel
- Apply nothing: In the cabin, only the towel goes under you so that no sweat gets onto the wood.
- Special infusions: Some saunas offer salt or honey infusions where something is applied to the skin. That is part of the ritual and is guided by the sauna team. You don't bring your own products for this.
- Between sessions: Rinse briefly with cold water, without shower gel. Lathering up several times a day is unnecessary for the skin. Our guide to showering before and after the sauna explains how to go about it.
Before, during and after the sauna at a glance
| When | What can go on the skin | What you'd better leave out |
|---|---|---|
| Before the first session | mild shower gel, optionally a body scrub (rinse off thoroughly) | cream, body oil, make-up, acid face scrub |
| In the cabin | nothing – only the towel; guided special infusions | your own oils, creams, scrubs |
| Between sessions | cold water | shower gel every time |
| After the last session | shower gel, cream for body, hands, feet and face | applying cream immediately while you are still sweating |
Skincare after the sauna: the five-step routine
- Cool down and rest: After the last session, first go into the fresh air or under the cold shower, then rest until you stop sweating. If you apply cream too early, you sweat it straight out again.
- Shower lukewarm: Now is the moment for a mild shower gel. The VEGAN FOX shower gel comes in linden blossom, grapefruit and red grape and, according to the product description, contains aloe vera, panthenol and betaine.
- Dry off gently: Pat instead of rubbing, especially on areas that dry out quickly, such as shins and elbows.
- Apply cream to your body: A body lotion of your choice, ideally while the skin is still slightly damp. We don't currently stock our own body lotion.
- Hands and feet separately: They take a lot in the sauna area and are often forgotten. More on this in the next section.
Skincare after the sauna for hands, feet and face
Hands
Heat, water, shower gel: hands often feel dry after a day at the sauna. According to the product description, the hand cream with mango butter and avocado oil is made for dry and stressed hands. The recommendation there: dry your hands well, put a small amount on hands and cuticles and massage in gently. If you like it even richer, choose the version with shea butter and macadamia.
Feet
Walking barefoot over tiles and wood, plus lots of water – your feet deserve a few minutes after the sauna. Dry them thoroughly, including between the toes, then apply the foot cream with aloe vera to feet and heels. You can find detailed instructions in our guide Foot care after the sauna.
Face
The same applies here: cool down first, then cleanse and apply cream. The details – which order, which products, what you'd better avoid – are in the article on facial care around the sauna, so we don't repeat ourselves here.
If you want everything together: the head-to-toe care set contains three shower gels, cleansing foam, face scrub, face cream, hand cream and foot cream. All products are also available individually in our skincare products.
Skincare for the sauna: what goes in your bag
So that skincare after the sauna doesn't fail for lack of a product, keep a small set permanently in your sauna bag:
- Shower gel for before and after the last session
- Body lotion of your choice
- Hand cream and foot cream
- Facial cleanser and face cream
- Two towels: one for the cabin, one for drying off
You can find what else belongs in the bag in our packing list for the sauna bag.
Special skin, special care
- Very dry skin: Skip the shower gel between sessions and apply cream generously after the last session.
- Sunburn or freshly shaved skin: Irritated skin and sauna heat don't go well together. It is common practice not to go to the sauna with sunburn. According to the product description of our scrubs, a body scrub is not suitable for irritated skin or directly after hair removal.
- Skin conditions or open wounds: Please check with a doctor whether and how you can use the sauna.
Common mistakes in skincare around the sauna
- Applying cream before the first session – it ends up on the towel.
- Washing with shower gel between every session.
- Applying cream right after the last session even though you are still sweating.
- Forgetting hands and feet.
- Drinking too little: you lose fluid through sweat. Drink enough water or unsweetened tea between sessions and afterwards.
Related reading: Facial care around the sauna: the simple 3-step routine · Showering after the sauna (and before): how to do it right · Body scrub before the sauna: how to use it, scents and the most common mistakes
Conclusion
The best skincare after the sauna starts before it: go into the first session clean, dry and without cream, use only the towel in the cabin, rinse off with cold water in between. After the last session, cool down and rest first, then shower lukewarm, dry off gently and apply cream – body, hands, feet and face. This way the care stays where it belongs, and your sauna day ends with a pleasant skin feel.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply cream before the sauna?
Better not. Cream and oil form a film on the skin, end up on the towel and get in the way of sweating. Apply cream only after the last session.
When should I apply cream after the sauna?
When you have cooled down and stopped sweating – usually after the rest break and the shower.
Do I need shower gel after the sauna?
A mild shower gel makes sense after the last session. Between sessions, cold water is enough.
Can I use a scrub in the sauna?
Your own scrubs don't belong in the cabin. Do a body scrub beforehand in the shower. Some saunas offer guided salt infusions – then their rules apply.
Is the sauna good for the skin?
Many people find their skin feels pleasant after the sauna. We don't promise any medical effects. If you have skin problems, please check with a doctor whether the sauna is right for you.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.