Make-up and the sauna: why you should remove it first

Make-up and the sauna don't go well together. If you go to the sauna straight from work, an appointment or shopping, you are often still wearing make-up. In the heat your skin sweats heavily, mascara and foundation dissolve and end up on your face or on the towel. That's why removing your make-up before the first round is part of it. In this guide you will learn why that makes sense, how to do it quickly on the go, what to consider with lash extensions or permanent make-up and when you can put make-up on again after the sauna.

Contents12

1. Make-up and the sauna: why remove it?
2. Removing make-up before the sauna: how to do it quickly
3. Which make-up causes the most problems?
4. Lash extensions, microblading and permanent make-up
5. Does this also apply to the steam room and infrared cabin?
6. What belongs in your sauna make-up bag
7. After the sauna: when can you put make-up on again?
8. If you have plans after the sauna
9. Thinking of the sauna in the morning
10. What about deodorant and perfume?
11. Conclusion
12. Frequently asked questions

Make-up and the sauna: why remove it?

• Running: mascara, kohl and foundation dissolve in the heat. At the latest when you wipe away sweat, everything smudges.
• Stains on the towel: make-up residue stains light towels, especially foundation and lipstick. You can't always get it completely out of cotton.
• Stinging eyes: dissolved mascara or eyeshadow can run into your eyes with the sweat.
• How your skin feels: many people find their skin much more comfortable and free in the heat without make-up.
• Consideration: in some saunas the house rules explicitly ask you to wash off cosmetics before the round. Showering before the sauna is customary anyway.

Removing make-up before the sauna: how to do it quickly

On the go you don't have your whole bathroom with you. With three steps you are still done in a few minutes:

Step	How
1. Eyes	Gently remove eye make-up with a remover of your choice and a cotton pad – don't rub
2. Face	Cleanse with cleansing foam on damp skin and rinse thoroughly
3. Pat dry	With a small towel of your own, not with the sauna towel

Then shower as usual. According to the manufacturer, the VEGAN FOX cleansing foam is "our first step before every sauna". It is available for normal skin (mild, with chamomile) and for dry skin (with aloe vera, lactic acid and niacinamide), each 200 ml for €15.90. Which one suits you is explained in the article Cleansing foam for normal or dry skin.

Which make-up causes the most problems?

• Mascara and kohl: run fastest. Even waterproof products can come off in the heat and when you wipe your face.
• Foundation and concealer: spread unevenly with sweat and leave marks on the towel.
• Lipstick: rubs off onto your hand and the towel when you wipe. A neutral lip balm is the better choice.
• Powder and blush: usually cause fewer problems, but should still come off before the round.
• Nail polish: simply leave it on. There is no reason to remove it.

Lash extensions, microblading and permanent make-up

There is no blanket rule for long-lasting treatments. Many studios recommend avoiding the sauna and steam room for a while after a fresh treatment, because heat and moisture can affect adhesive or pigments. How long varies from studio to studio. So ask your studio and follow their aftercare instructions. With treatments that have already healed, a sauna visit is usually not an issue – but here too: if in doubt, ask.

Does this also apply to the steam room and infrared cabin?

Yes. The steam room is milder, but the air is very humid – make-up dissolves there just as much, often even faster, because water collects on the skin. In the infrared cabin the air stays cooler, but you still sweat. There too, it's best to go in without make-up so that nothing spreads onto the towel or cushion.

What belongs in your sauna make-up bag

If you often go to the sauna after work, it's best to pack a small bag that is always ready:

• Eye make-up remover in travel size and a few cotton pads
• Cleansing foam for your face
• A Mini Diamant hammam towel (approx. 90 × 45 cm) for patting dry – according to the product description, it is also intended as a face towel
• The face cream with almond and avocado oil (50 ml) for afterwards
• A lip balm
• If you like: a small kit with the essentials to put your make-up back on afterwards

You will find more care products in our VEGAN FOX care collection.

After the sauna: when can you put make-up on again?

After the last round your skin is still warm and keeps sweating. If you put make-up on straight away, you often notice that it doesn't stay put and runs again right away. This order works better:

1. Shower and cleanse: gently wash your face once more and pat it dry.
2. Let it cool down: wait until you have stopped sweating. Depending on the person, that takes from a few minutes up to half an hour.
3. Moisturise: according to the manufacturer, the VEGAN FOX face cream is applied to cleansed skin on the face and neck – after the sauna, only once the skin has cooled down.
4. Make-up: only then, and preferably a little lighter than usual. Many people skip it altogether after the sauna.

You can read more about skincare around a sauna visit in the article Facial care and the sauna.

If you have plans after the sauna

Sometimes you go straight on after the sauna, to dinner or to meet someone. Then a pared-down look is worthwhile, one that takes little time and holds better on warm skin:

• Last of all: after the last round, take a longer break and do your make-up as the very last thing, right before you leave.
• Fewer layers: a light moisturiser, a little concealer and mascara are often enough. Heavy foundation sits less well on skin that is still warm.
• Lips and brows: a tinted lip balm and brushed brows look fresh and take hardly any time.

Thinking of the sauna in the morning

If you already know in the morning that you're going to the sauna in the evening, you can make things easier for yourself: wear more subtle make-up that day, avoid waterproof products that only come off with special remover, and pack your make-up bag straight away. Sunscreen should also be washed off thoroughly before the round. How best to do that is described in the article Washing off sunscreen.

What about deodorant and perfume?

Deodorant and perfume should also be showered off before the sauna, ideally together with your face. Everyone shares the air in the cabin, and strong scents become particularly noticeable in the heat. After your last shower you can apply both as usual – here too, ideally once you have stopped sweating.

Related reading: Sauna with long hair: hairstyles, protection and care · Glasses, Jewellery, Contact Lenses in the Sauna: What Can Come In? · Facial cleansing: foam, gel or milk?

Conclusion

Removing your make-up before the sauna only takes a few minutes and saves you running mascara, stinging eyes and stains on the towel. Remove eye make-up, wash your face with cleansing foam, pat dry with a small towel of your own – and after the sauna only moisturise once your skin has cooled down. Make-up comes last of all, if you still want it.

Frequently asked questions

Is waterproof mascara OK in the sauna?

Even waterproof mascara can come off in the heat. We recommend removing all your make-up before the first round.

Can I go into the sauna with make-up if I'm only staying briefly?

Even during a short round your skin sweats heavily. So removing make-up is always worth it, if only because of stains on the towel.

Does this also apply to tinted moisturiser or BB cream?

Yes. Lightly tinted products also spread with sweat and rub off onto the towel. Wash them off too before the first round.

Which towel for patting dry?

A small towel of your own, for example the Mini hammam towel. That way make-up residue doesn't end up on your large sauna towel.

How do I get make-up stains out of my sauna towel?

Wash it as soon as possible and follow the care label. You will find tips on stubborn stains in the article Removing stains from a sauna towel.

When can I put make-up on again after the sauna?

Once you have stopped sweating and your skin has cooled down. Moisturise first, then apply make-up.

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Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.