Beauty editors’ essentials: Gym-class heroes

“Exercise is an integral part of my lifestyle. While I try to balance out classes like HIIT and spin with low-impact strength work like Pilates and yoga, I always favor turning up the intensity. But this routine can come with muscle fatigue, so after a class I like to soak in a bath of magnesium or Epsom salts – try Pursoma After The Class Bath Soak. When I’m time-poor, I spritz The Nue Co. Magnesium Ease, a magnesium oil spray, directly onto aching muscles and the soles of my feet (the best place for quick absorption) – it helps me sleep better, too. While intensive exercise improves blood circulation and oxygenation to the skin, it can create aging free-radicals – when the skin heats up, so does inflammation. To counter this, I apply an antioxidant serum like Kypris Beauty Antioxidant Dew, or spritz on a protective mist such as Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Toner Mist.”

“I prefer a ‘low & slow’ approach to fitness, with regular intensive yoga and Pilates classes. For yoga in particular, the rules are no scents (they’re intrusive to those around you), no makeup and no jewelry. However, studies show that using a body treatment cream pre-exercise increases its efficacy, so I always use a firming, de-puffing or anti-cellulite cream before working out, like Legology Air-Lite Daily Lift For Legs, Anne Semonin Lipoliss Anti-Cellulite Gel or Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Gel. Also, with the knowledge we now have about the damage that pollution does to our skin, I never go anywhere barefaced. There are excellent anti-pollution products that are the perfect workout options, containing antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and subtle skin-tone tints. Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart SPF50 Hydrating Shield and Sarah Chapman Skinesis Skin Insurance SPF30 are both great.”

“When I exercise, I like to sweat as much as possible with hour-long, high-intensity cardio classes. To maximize the results, I put in the prep work long before my class has started. I mix Mio Skincare Skin Tight Tightening Body Serum and Mio Skincare Get Waisted Sculpting Bodyshaper together to rub over the backs of my arms, stomach and backs of legs. If I want an extra boost, I add Mio Skincare Shrink to Fit Cellulite Smoother, too. I then put a tank top on, a waist trainer and a T-shirt on top of that – the layers all help when it comes to streamlining. For my face, I’m equally as obsessive. I double cleanse before every workout and add Kjaer Weis The Beautiful Oil to skin and Lanolips 101 Multi-Balm in Peach on lips to hydrate – intensive workouts can be super-drying. Post-class, I shower and exfoliate top to toe with Lancer The Method: Body Polish, and rehydrate with African Botanics Firming Botanical Body Oil.”