Post-Run Recovery & Skincare – How to Soothe and Repair the Skin After Long Runs
By Randall Cooper, Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist, Founder of Premax
Long runs feel great – physically, mentally, emotionally. But your skin can cop a hiding.
Sweat, salt, friction, UV exposure, chafing, windburn… the list of skin stressors isn’t short. And while most runners are great at managing their muscles post-run – with hydration, nutrition, and stretching – many forget that the skin is our largest organ, and it needs recovery too.
Here’s how to properly care for your skin after a long run – and how Premax Recovery Cream for Skin can slot straight into your routine.
1. Start With a Proper Wash Down
Don’t wait hours before showering. Sweat is full of salt, bacteria, and other by-products of exercise. Letting it sit on your skin for too long can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, irritation, or infections like folliculitis.
- Use lukewarm water and a mild, non-drying cleanser.
- Avoid harsh scrubbing – especially if your skin is already chafed or windburnt.
- Pat dry – don’t rub.
2. Assess the Damage: Chafing, Dryness, Redness
Post-run, check the usual suspects:
- Underarms, bra lines, thighs, nipples – common chafe zones
- Nose and cheeks – prone to windburn and sun exposure
- Ankles and feet – often dry, cracked, or blistered
3. Apply Recovery Cream – Specifically for Skin
This is where most runners just slap on moisturiser and hope for the best.
Instead, use a formula designed for active, post-exercise skin. Premax Recovery Cream for Skin isn’t your everyday moisturiser – it’s engineered for runners and athletes.
Key ingredients:
- Sour Cherry Extract – antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- Arnica – used to support bruised, irritated or damaged skin
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) – calms, brightens, and repairs the skin barrier
- Allantoin – soothes and promotes surface-level healing
It’s lightweight, non-greasy, smells fresh (not floral), and absorbs fast – so you’re not left sticky or waiting to get dressed.
Apply it generously post-shower to anywhere your skin feels irritated, tight, or dry. Most women I work with keep one in their gym bag, car, or bathroom shelf – it’s become part of their ritual.
4. Don’t Forget Your Face
The face takes the brunt of outdoor running. Apply Premax Recovery Cream gently to the face if it’s been exposed to cold wind, dry air, or UV. For everyday protection, use our Weather Defence Cream before runs – but after, your face needs soothing too.
5. Repeat Tomorrow
Skin recovery doesn’t end on the day of your run. If your skin’s been irritated, chafed, or damaged, keep applying a recovery cream twice daily until it settles. Just like you wouldn’t skip stretching after a marathon, don’t skip skincare – especially when you’re in a high-load training block.
Final Word
Taking care of your skin post-run isn’t vanity – it’s smart recovery.
It’s the same logic you apply to foam rolling or protein intake: reduce damage, speed up repair, and be ready to go again. If your skin’s constantly dry, chafed, or inflamed, your running suffers too.
Add Premax Recovery Cream for Skin to your routine. Your skin will thank you.
You can find it here: Premax Recovery Cream for Skin
Happy running,
Randall
Keep Running, Pain-Free
To find out more about their products, head to : Premax
And remember they are also an RMA brand partner, so don’t forget to use your member discount found online when logged in on our RMA website.
