Skin&hair Care in a Sauna: A Guide to Healthy Results

Let’s talk saunas. After hearing Dr. Rhonda Patrick rave about how saunas can boost your health and immune system, I decided to give it a try and incorporate it into my weekly routine. At first, I started small – one session a week after the gym. Eventually, I upped it to two sessions plus a spa day for good measure. But here’s the catch: I didn’t think about how the heat might affect my hair.

Fast forward a few weeks, and my long hair was noticeably dry and damaged. That’s when it hit me – I needed to step up my hair care game. After some trial and error (and lots of research), I figured out how to turn sauna visits into a full-on beauty ritual. Now, I’m sharing all my must-have products and tips to keep your skin glowing and your hair healthy while you enjoy the heat.

Join me as I share my recommendations and some basic rules to optimize your cosmetic products bag during sauna visits and beauty routines.

My Beauty Set for Skin&Hair Care in a Sauna or SPA includes:

Makeup remover
Eye cream
Moisturizer
Face mask
Face tonic

Thermal hair protection spray
Shampoo and hair mask
Hair oil and liquid silk
Hairbrush
Body brush

Hair Care in the Sauna

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: your hair deserves serious protection in the sauna. Forgetting my hair care products (or even a towel for my hair) is a total dealbreaker – I’d rather skip the session. Here’s the routine that works for me:

1. Protect Your Hair

Before stepping into the sauna, spritz on a thermal protection spray. My personal favorite is Davines MELU Protectant Spray. Not only does it shield your hair from heat, but it smells amazing – I constantly get compliments on it! After that, wrap your hair in a towel. I’ve found this works even better than a heat cap for keeping your hair safe.

2. Treat Your Hair

A sauna is the perfect time to let a hair mask work its magic. The heat helps the mask penetrate more deeply into your hair. My current go-to is the Davines OI Butter Mask, which pairs perfectly with the sauna’s warmth. I like to wash my hair during a break, slather on the mask, and leave it on for 10-20 minutes while I enjoy another round of heat.

3. After-Sauna Care

Once you’re done, gently brush your hair and apply a leave-in treatment or hair oil for extra hydration. I highly recommend the Lanza Healing Strength Silk Se rum, which I apply on dry or towel-wet hair after a sauna, SPA, or at home on a daily basis. It makes my hair shiny, soft, and perfectly moisturized

Skin&Body Care in a Sauna

Taking care of your skin is just as important. Here’s how I keep mine healthy and hydrated:

1. Cleanse Before You Sweat

Before you even think about entering the sauna, make sure to remove your makeup to avoid clogged pores (and remember to cleanse your skin before each sauna entry after beauty treatments.) I love using basic Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water – it’s affordable and super effective. I also use a dry body brush for about five minutes to prep my skin for exfoliation.

2. Exfoliate After Steaming

Once your skin is nice and steamed after a few rounds in the sauna, it’s time to exfoliate. I spend 5-10 minutes scrubbing my body and about 1-2 minutes gently peeling my face (I stick to once a week for this). My all-time favorite is the First Aid Beauty Bump Eraser Body Scrub – a game-changer for smooth, soft skin.

3. Nourish and Hydrate

If you have a little downtime, pop on a face mask while you relax. I’m obsessed with the Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask. This mask helps nourish, calm, and rejuvenate skin. It’s been my go-to for over a year and will be 100% repurchased again, as it never disappoints. After your sauna session, follow up with your regular routine: face tonic, eye cream, moisturizer, and body lotion. Oh, and don’t forget to rehydrate! I always bring a travel cup with herbal tea, like peppermint or ginger.

Pro Tips to Keep in Mind

1.Test Products First
Before using new products in the sauna, try them out at home on a small area of your skin to avoid any allergic reactions.

2. Stick to What Works
I’ve been following this routine for almost a year, and the results speak for themselves – my skin is healthy and hydrated, my pores are clean and almost invisible, and my hair is shiny and well-moisturized.

This routine has been 100% effective for me, and I trust that it will work for you too. With the right products and a little planning, you can transform your sauna visits into a full-on beauty ritual. Your skin and hair will thank you! Let me know if you try any of these tips, and enjoy the rejuvenating power of the sauna. You’ve earned it.