Lead Photo By Gorodenkoff - stock.adobe.com
For a long time, my approach to beauty looked very different than it does today. Early in my career, like many women, I believed more was better—heavier foundations, aggressive exfoliation, constant product switching, and trying to “out-matte” sweat instead of working with my skin. The goal was always to look polished, even if it came at the cost of irritation, breakouts, or discomfort.
As I spent more time working in the beauty industry—and more time in the gym—that approach stopped making sense. Training hard, lifting heavy, sweating regularly, and caring about long-term health forced me to rethink beauty entirely. What I learned is simple: routines that don’t support recovery, barrier health, and performance eventually fail active women.
That realization is what led me to redefine what I now call “the new athlete glow,” a smarter, more intentional way of caring for skin, hair, and body that works with strength training, not against it.
“Beauty routines that don’t support recovery, barrier health, and performance eventually fail active women.”
What It Is (and What It Isn’t)
The old-school beauty mindset focused on controlling the skin: stripping oil, mattifying shine, exfoliating constantly, and masking “imperfections” with heavy coverage. While that approach may have worked temporarily, it often led to compromised skin barriers, sensitivity, and accelerated aging—especially for women who sweat frequently.
This new approach shifts the focus from control to support. Glow comes from circulation, hydration, barrier integrity, and recovery. Sweat isn’t the enemy—chronic inflammation and overprocessing are. When skin is supported properly, it regulates itself more efficiently and looks healthier, with less effort.
Skin Built for Strength
Previously, exfoliation was seen as the solution to almost every skin concern. Scrubs, acids, and brushes were used daily in the pursuit of smoothness. For active women, this often resulted in redness, stinging, and compromised skin that reacted poorly to sweat.
Barrier-first skincare has replaced that outdated mindset. Ingredients that reinforce the skin—such as ceramides, peptides, and gentle humectants—allow skin to withstand sweat, cleansing, and environmental stress more effectively. Even during winter training months, daily sun protection remains essential, as cumulative exposure still contributes to aging and skin damage.
Product Pick
Paula’s Choice RESIST Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 is a great option to protect your skin, day in and day out.
$39, paulaschoice.com
Workout-Friendly Makeup
Traditional long-wear makeup formulas were designed to resist oil, not sweat. Heavy matte foundations, baking powders, and setting sprays can clog pores and may break down unevenly during your workouts.
Through experience working with clients, I’ve found that lightweight, flexible formulas perform far better for active skin. Cream-based products move with facial expressions and perspiration, while sheer tints allow skin to breathe. Makeup should enhance skin, not suffocate it!
Product Pick
Try MERIT The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick to smooth out your skin’s color and tone, even at your sweatiest.
$32, meritbeauty.com
The Needs of Women Who Lift
Strength training creates a unique environment for skin and hair. Increased cortisol, repeated friction, frequent cleansing, and hormonal fluctuations all impact how beauty products perform.
In the past, many active women relied on harsh foaming cleansers, alcohol-based toners, and oil-free moisturizers to stay looking “clean.” These products often stripped the skin’s natural defenses, leading to dryness, breakouts, and sensitivity. Today, we understand that maintaining the skin’s microbiome and barrier function is essential—especially when training multiple times per week.
Product Pick
Skinfix Foaming Oil Cleanser is a great option for barrier-first skincare.
$30, skinfix.com
Recovery Is Beauty
One of the biggest shifts in modern beauty is recognizing recovery as part of the routine. Previously, beauty ended at the sink. Today, it extends into body care, circulation support, and stress reduction.
Many people today swear by techniques like lymphatic massage, magnesium-based body care, and other intentional post-training rituals that claim to help reduce inflammation and support skin from the inside out. When recovery improves, the results show—in skin tone, texture, and overall vitality.
Product Pick
Lymphatic drainage wood paddles and dry skin brushes can be found at almost every major beauty and health retailer.
Sets from $18.99, amazon.com
Don't Ignore the Scalp
Hair care for active women was once limited to frequent washings and dry shampoo. Tight ponytails, repeated heat styling, and daily, harsh cleansing were considered all but unavoidable.
Over time, the industry realized that scalp health directly impacts hair strength and growth. Sweat buildup, friction, and over-cleansing disrupt the scalp microbiome, leading to irritation and breakage. Weekly scalp treatments and gentler cleansing routines have helped improve hair resilience in my clients who train regularly.
Product Pick
Beauty From Bees Hair + Scalp Hydr’A’tion is not just another addition to your beauty routine; it’s a commitment to the health and vitality of your hair.
$28, beautyfrombees.us
What’s Next
The new athlete glow isn’t about perfection—it’s about longevity, performance, and confidence. As women continue to prioritize strength and health, beauty must evolve alongside them.
This article is the first in a continuing beauty series for STRONG. In upcoming issues, I’ll be diving deeper into each of these topics—from skin barrier repair and workout-friendly makeup to hair, scalp, and body care and the role hormones play in your beauty routine during your thirties and beyond.
Consider this your foundation. There’s much more to come!
Lori's Non-Negotiables to Get That Athletic Glow
• A gentle, nonstripping cleanser
• Barrier-supporting skincare
• Lightweight, sweat-friendly makeup
• Daily sun protection
• Consistent scalp care
• Intentional recovery rituals
Written by Lori Fabrizio
Lori Photo by Paul Buceta
