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After Sauna Skin Care: What to Apply & Why
After sauna skin care isn't just about glow. It’s barrier repair science. Your pores are open, your skin is thirsty, and the wrong product can undo the benefits. This guide covers what to use, what to skip, and which products support recovery, based on research.
A quick tour of the blog post
- Your skin's needs after an infrared sauna
- After sauna skin care: Nourishment steps
- Recommended product combos like HigherDOSE and Young Goose skincare
- Exfoliating after sauna
- Masking after infrared sauna
- Supercharge your after sauna skin care with PEMF therapy
- HigherDOSE + Young Goose skincare
- Take your infrared sauna experience to the next level
- Things to avoid after your sauna session
Your Skin's Needs After an Infrared Sauna
Infrared saunas affect your skin in several ways:
🔹 Core temperature increase. They raise your core temperature by delivering deep heat while keeping the air cooler than traditional saunas.
🔹 Improved blood flow. Better circulation delivers nutrients and oxygen to every cell, helping skin stay vibrant. Poor circulation can cause dullness, dryness, and age spots.
🔹 Detoxification. Infrared heat speeds up cell activity, which helps detox pores through sweating. This cleanses skin, smooths fine lines, and increases collagen density.
These after sauna skincare tips aren’t just for infrared sauna sessions. They’re just as helpful when using a HigherDOSE sauna blanket or PEMF mat
After Sauna Skin Care: Nourishment Steps
After enjoying your sauna, it's time for skin care.
First: take a shower
After your sauna session, showering is important to cool your body down and support skin health. A shower helps wash away sweat and impurities that build up during the session.
Each shower option below offers different benefits. The best one depends on what feels right for you and your health needs.
Cool Rinse
A cool rinse after sauna:
🔹 Refreshes your body and helps activate the immune system.
🔹 Supports detoxification and improves blood circulation.
🔹 Can aid weight loss and ease stress by improving lymphatic flow and oxygen delivery [1].
Be cautious if you have conditions like high blood pressure since sudden temperature changes can be a shock.
“Cool” doesn’t mean ice cold. Start with a refreshing temperature and cool it gradually if it feels comfortable.
Warm Shower
A warm or lukewarm shower is a gentler way to cool down after your sauna. It helps lower your body temperature gradually and removes toxins and impurities from your skin.
🔹 This option soothes your skin and supports relaxation.
🔹 Avoid very hot water, which can dry out your skin.
🔹 Use mild, moisturizing products to keep your skin balanced.
Relaxing Before Showering
If you prefer a gradual transition, take some time to relax before showering. This lets your body cool down naturally and respects how your body adapts to heat. It’s a good option if jumping into a shower right away feels too abrupt.
Remember, you still need to cleanse your skin after your sauna. You can use a washcloth with lukewarm water to gently wipe down your body.
For a deeper look at shower options after sauna, check out our blog post Sauna and Shower: Optimal Sequence for Skin Health. It covers cool rinses, warm showers, and relaxation strategies, along with expert tips on what works best for your skin and body.
Second: drink water
Begin by drinking plenty of water right after your sauna session to hydrate from the inside. This helps as much as applying creams and lotions to:
🔹 Prevent dehydration. Deep heat causes intense sweating, and without replacing fluids, dehydration can occur.
🔹 Maintain skin moisture. Drinking water keeps your skin balanced, preventing dryness and flaking.
🔹 Balance electrolytes [2]. Sweating reduces sodium, potassium, and magnesium, which are needed for hydration, nerve signals, and muscle function. Replacing them is important for skin and overall health.
Quick Hydration Boost
For a quick and effective lift, High-Dration Powder is ready when you are.
Each box contains 30 single-serve pouches. Each pouch includes Magnesium Citrate, Watermelon Fruit Powder, Calcium Citrate, Zinc, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Citrate, Fiber, Vitamin C, Himalayan Pink Sea Salt, and Red Marine Algae Mineral Powder. The blend aims to restore minerals lost and support hydration, focus, and performance.
$39 at HigherDOSESaunace is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission. Find our affiliate policy here.
After an infrared sauna session, your body loses fluids and minerals through sweat. Stay hydrated before, during, and after your session for skin health and overall wellness.
For practical tips on how much to drink and which beverages work best, see our blog post Best Drink for Sauna What To Drink Before During and After.
Dry brushing: your skin’s new favorite ritual. Read our full blog post to find out why
Last but not least: your skin care ritual
Now your skin needs attention. Follow these steps after a sauna for optimal recovery:
🔹 After your shower, gently pat your skin dry. Cleanse with a soft, non-drying cleanser to remove impurities and prepare your skin for moisturizer. You can exfoliate here to remove dead skin cells.
🔹 Consider dry brushing after your session for added skin care.
🔹 After cleansing, use a nourishing mask occasionally. It helps your skin absorb nutrients and hydration better after sauna heat.
🔹 While skin is still slightly damp, apply a quality moisturizer. Focus on delicate areas like face, neck, and décolletage. Choose products with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or natural oils, plus antioxidants such as vitamins E and C for hydration and protection.
🔹 Going outdoors? Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against UVA and UVB rays.
🔹 For very dry skin or extra care, add a second moisture layer once the first is absorbed. Use richer creams or hydrating oils. For even more hydration, add another layer of lighter moisturizer or serum with agents like hyaluronic acid or glycerin.
🔹 Finally, apply a serum or gel with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or cucumber to hydrate and calm the skin.
Finding Your Perfect after-Sauna Skincare Match
Looking for skincare that supports your sauna routine? The right formulas can help skin stay clear, hydrated, and resilient through heat sessions.
Recommended product combos like HigherDOSE and Young Goose skincare
At Saunace, we focus on practical self-care that fits with your wellness tools. That’s why we use HigherDOSE and Young Goose: two brands aligned with the body’s natural rhythms.
HigherDOSE knows infrared well. Their skincare prepares skin for heat, supporting detox and sweat through improved circulation and absorption.
Young Goose uses lightweight, clinical-grade formulas that help skin regenerate, stay resilient, and remain clear and hydrated before and after sauna sessions.
Together, they form a complete pre- and post-sauna routine. One prepares skin before heat, the other repairs and protects afterward. Both use science-based ingredients designed for effective results. This skincare works with your body, not against it.
YOUth Daily Moisturizing Cream
Using micro-encapsulated NAD+ precursors, spermidine, an improved copper peptide complex, and fermented resveratrol, this cream targets all 12 major signs of skin aging. It helps cellular health, speeds skin repair, and strengthens your skin’s defenses to reveal a radiant youthful glow.
More than just a moisturizer, YOUth Daily is a science-backed daily routine that helps restore your skin’s natural glow and resilience.
$176.50 at Thera Optimal Health(Use code saunace10 for 10% off)
Some tips for applying products
When putting on products, pat them softly onto your skin. Rubbing can irritate your skin after the sauna’s heat.
🔹 If your skin is sensitive, choose hypoallergenic products without fragrances or dyes to avoid irritation.
🔹 Apply products from thinnest to thickest: serums first, then moisturizers, and finally oils or heavier creams.
🔹 Use a richer cream at night to help your skin repair while you sleep.
exfoliating after sauna
Exfoliating after a sauna session helps remove dead skin cells, improving your skin’s health and appearance.
It’s important to understand the difference between exfoliation and peeling:
🔹 Exfoliation is a mechanical process that removes dead cells from the skin’s surface, often using scrubs.
🔹 Peeling uses acids to break down the bonds between dead cells, working deeper to revitalize the skin more intensely.
Benefits of exfoliation
Sauna heat widens your pores and loosens dead skin cells, making it an ideal time for exfoliation.
🔹 Faster skin renewal: Exfoliating after a sauna removes dead cells more effectively, revealing healthier skin underneath.
🔹 Improved texture and radiance: Regular exfoliation after heat softens skin, leaving it smoother and more radiant.
🔹 Better absorption: Removing dead skin helps your skin take in moisturizers and products more effectively.
🔹 Increased circulation: Exfoliation raises blood flow to the skin’s surface, bringing out its natural glow and supporting skin health.
Tailoring Exfoliation to Your Skin Type
Exfoliation by skin type:
🔹 Sensitive Skin:
Use mild exfoliants or soft loofahs. Limit sessions to avoid irritation.
🔹 Dry/Dehydrated Skin:
Gentle exfoliation removes flakes. Follow with deep moisturization. Avoid
over-exfoliating.
🔹 Oily/Acne-Prone Skin:
Exfoliate more often to unclog pores. Use gentle ingredients like salicylic
acid. Avoid harsh scrubs.
🔹 Mature Skin:
Use mild exfoliants that don’t strip moisture. Helps with slower cell turnover.
Incorporating Peeling or Exfoliating into Your After-Sauna Routine
After your sauna blanket or PEMF mat session and shower, when your skin is warm but dry, apply a gentle exfoliant.
🔹 Use soft, circular motions to massage the exfoliant into your skin.
🔹 Focus on areas prone to dead skin buildup like elbows and knees.
🔹 Be careful not to over-exfoliate, as this can strip natural oils and cause irritation.
Exfoliating Without Tools: A Gentle Approach
Not everyone wants to dry brush or use physical exfoliation tools like brushes, scrubs, or loofahs and that is okay. The Young Goose NiaPolish is a good option without tools. It uses enzymes from fermented pomegranate and a mild coconut derived powder to dissolve dead skin cells gently without harsh friction.
The Young Goose NiaPolish
This probiotic enzyme exfoliator is a gentle yet effective exfoliating cream that combines fermented pomegranate enzymes with a coconut-derived micro polishing powder.
Together, these ingredients gently remove dead skin cells. They also help refortify and strengthen the skin’s surface for a smoother healthier complexion.
For best results, use 2-3 times a week or as needed.
Get 10% OFF! Use code SAUNACETHERA1 when purchasing Young Goose through our link at Thera Optimal Health
Your Skin’s After-Sauna Drink
After a deep sweat, your skin needs more than moisture. It requires nourishment to restore its natural radiance. Use a routine that locks in hydration, supports elasticity, and leaves your skin glowing. HigherDOSE, known for infrared wellness, designed their skincare to work with heat to enhance results.
Light-Activated Glow Serum - Hydration That Glows
This serum supports skin’s natural glow with phosphatidylcholine and copper peptides (GHK-Cu) to promote collagen production, smooth fine lines, and boost radiance.
Apply after cleansing to lock in moisture and deliver active ingredients. For extra effect, pair with the HigherDose Red Light Face Mask, which activates ingredients with light (optional).
Use it post-sauna or at night for hydration and a healthy, dewy finish.
$69 at HigherDOSEOxytocin Oil - Nourish, Tone, Glow
This fast-absorbing body oil contains botanical oils and sea extracts to hydrate, firm, and restore skin’s natural glow. Use it after dry brushing, sauna sessions, or any self-care routine to improve elasticity and leave skin soft.
Lightweight yet rich in nutrients, it works well for post-shower hydration or anytime your skin needs a boost.
Key ingredients: Jojoba, Sea Buckthorn, Passion Fruit, Sea Extracts, Vitamin E.
$75 at HigherDOSE
Red Light Face Mask - Radiance, Backed by Science
Take your glow to the next level with the Red Light Face Mask, a professional-grade skincare made for home use. This wearable device uses red and near-infrared light (630nm and 830nm) to increase collagen and reduce fine lines. It also calms redness and makes your skin look visibly more radiant.
Pair it with the Light-Activated Glow Serum to help with absorption and results. Just 10 minutes, a few times a week, and you’re on your way to firmer, brighter skin, no downtime needed. Made with flexible, medical-grade silicone and 66 LED bulbs
Research (2020) shows that home-use LED devices with wavelengths like 637 and 854 nm are safe and improve skin elasticity, hydration, texture, and wrinkles [3].
$349 at HigherDOSEMasking after infrared sauna
After cleansing and before moisturizing, indulge in a mask tailored to your skin's needs. This step hydrates deeply, and acts like a therapeutic break. This allows your skin to absorb essential nutrients and recover from the heat exposure.
Not sure what kind of mask is right for you? Here’s a quick guide:
🔹 Hydrating Sheet Masks (all skin types, especially dehydrated skin): Provide intense hydration and help restore moisture balance, which is useful after heat exposure.
🔹 Cream Masks (dry and mature skin types): Rich in emollients and often contain anti-aging ingredients. They nourish deeply and help repair the skin barrier.
🔹 Gel Masks (sensitive, oily, or acne-prone skin): Have a cooling effect to soothe and calm the skin after sauna. They are lightweight and hydrating without clogging pores.
🔹 Clay and Mud Masks (oily and combination skin types): Detoxify and purify by drawing out impurities from pores. Because they can dry out the skin, follow with a good moisturizer.
🔹 Bio-cellulose Masks (all skin types, especially for advanced care): Stick well to the skin and deliver serums deeply. They help maximize hydration and rejuvenation.
Rehydrate + Repair - Young Goose’s Lifting Oxygen Therapy Mask
This rich cream mask is made to restore hydration and aid cellular repair right when your skin needs it most after a sauna. It helps lock in moisture calm inflammation and leave your skin visibly plumper smoother and more resilient.
Powered by ingredients that activate the NRF2 longevity pathway, it goes beyond hydration: detoxifying, strengthening, and protecting your skin at a cellular level. Especially suited for dry, mature, or post-procedure skin.
We love it because it’s not just a mask. It’s skin recovery, rehydration, and resilience in one powerful step.
$150 at Thera Optimal HealthGet 10% OFF! Use code SAUNACETHERA1 when purchasing Young Goose through our link at Thera Optimal Health
Application
After cleansing your skin, apply the mask you choose. While masking the face is common, try it on other parts of your body too.
Most masks should stay on for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the instructions. Afterward, follow your regular moisturizing routine to seal in the mask’s benefits.
Looking for the right PEMF mat for your after sauna skin care routine? We’ve reviewed the best options to help you find your perfect match. 👉 Check out our top PEMF mat reviews
Supercharge Your After Sauna Skin Care with PEMF Therapy
After an infrared sauna session your body is in a state of deep relaxation and detox making it the ideal time to aid recovery and improve skin health. This is where PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy plays a role.
PEMF is known for its calming effect on the nervous system, and help shift your body into a parasympathetic state, also known as “rest and repair” mode. This increases overall relaxation and directly benefits your skin by reducing inflammation encouraging cellular regeneration and improving microcirculation. All key elements of a radiant complexion.
Studies show that PEMF therapy can increase fibroblast activity, which involves the cells responsible for collagen production. It also raises ATP levels, or cellular energy, and speeds up skin repair, especially after heat-based treatments like sauna sessions.
For example, one preclinical study [4], found that daily PEMF therapy significantly increased the production of type I collagen. This is a critical building block for firm, youthful skin, during the early stages of wound healing. While this study was done on animals it adds to research suggesting that PEMF can stimulate collagen production and help skin regeneration at the cellular level.
Think of it as advanced skincare: a strong combination that calms your system aids detoxification and helps your skin look more refreshed clear and glowing.
Want more heat and a deeper sweat PEMF session? The Holistix Soleil is the first PEMF infrared sauna blanket
Take your infrared sauna experience to the next level
To fully enjoy and maximize the benefits from your infrared experience, here are some other things you can do before and after your session to raise your sense overall well-being.
Before the Sauna
🔹 Deep breathing. Start with a few minutes of deep breathing [5]. This calms your mind, helps your body relax, and improves oxygen flow, supporting the sauna’s detox effects.
🔹 Stretching. Gentle stretches before your session loosen muscles and joints, making the heat work better to relieve tension and soreness.
after the Sauna
🔹 Resting. Take time to sit or lie down after your sauna. This helps your body return to its normal temperature and state. You can also do deep breathing exercises to relax and improve oxygen flow.
🔹 Hydrating. Besides water, choose hydrating drinks to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Check out our Sauna Drinks and Drink Recipes blog posts for simple hydration ideas.
Things to Avoid After a Sauna Session
🔹 Avoid rushing. Don’t jump into strenuous activities right after your sauna. Give your body time to recover and enjoy the calm afterward.
🔹 Skip alcohol. Drinking alcohol right after a sauna dehydrates you more and reduces the detox effects [6].
🔹 Steer clear of heavy meals. Wait before eating a heavy meal. Choose light, nutritious foods that are easy to digest and gentle on your system.
🔹 Skip harsh exfoliants. They disrupt after sauna skin care recovery.
🔹 Avoid immediate cold exposure, especially if you’re not used to it. Cooling down gradually is easier on your body. If you prefer cold showers after sauna, see our blog post Sauna and Shower: Optimal Sequence for Skin Health for more details.
Have a wellness or skincare practice? See how PEMF can help improve your clients’ results.
Effective after sauna skin care meets post-heat needs. Start with a gentle shower cleanse, then focus on hydration using moisturizers or oils. Finish with antioxidant support and sun protection if you're heading out.
Follow these steps to keep your skin healthy and glowing. Use gentle exfoliation to reveal your skin’s natural radiance.
These habits support more than appearance. They build stronger skin and a sense of well-being over time.
Your skin reflects your overall health and care. Treat it well after infrared sauna, sauna blanket, or PEMF mat sessions and it will show a natural, vibrant glow. Why wait? Begin improving your skin health and wellness today.
Saunace.com publishes reviews and usage guides for infrared and PEMF devices to help readers compare options and use them safely; see the About page to learn how we research and evaluate products.
Diane Sargent
Updated: August 2025
Want more details? Explore these blog posts.
References
1. Kristeen Cherney, Cold Shower for Anxiety: Does It Help? Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/cold-shower-for-anxiety
2. Isha Shrimanker and Sandeep Bhattarai, in StatPearls, Electrolytes, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31082167/
3. Ng JNC, Wanitphakdeedecha R, Yan C. Efficacy of home-use light-emitting diode device at 637 and 854-nm for facial rejuvenation: A split-face pilot study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020 Sep;19(9):2288-2294. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13613. Epub 2020 Jul 27. PMID: 32649063. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32649063/
4. Choi MC, Cheung KK, Li X, Cheing GL. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) promotes collagen fibre deposition associated with increased myofibroblast population in the early healing phase of diabetic wound. Arch Dermatol Res. 2016 Jan ;308(1): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26511857/
5. American Lung Association. (n.d.). Breathing exercises. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/wellness/breathing-exercises
6. Ylikahri R, Heikkonen E, Soukas A. The sauna and alcohol. Ann Clin Res. 1988;20(4):287-91. PMID: 3218903. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3218903/