At the risk of sounding, eh hem, rude, eh hem, none of us are special. Most of us are not running a marathon before breakfast or scaling a mountain at lunch, we’re just regular people living our everyday lives. Which is pretty great, because in our opinion being normal is underrated. Still, that doesn’t mean your body isn’t performing…and hard. From early meetings and late-night workouts to last-minute dates and long-haul travel, your skin, hair and sweat glands are always on the clock. That’s where high-performance grooming products come in.
Designed to go the distance, these multitasking body care essentials do more than just look and smell good. They are deodorants that neutralize odor and wick away moisture for 48 hours, body scrubs that exfoliate and re-energize your skin, hand sanitizers that cleanse without drying you out—this is skincare that keeps pace with you. High-performance means formulated with intent: long-lasting efficacy, smarter ingredients and formulas that target specific needs like muscle recovery, scalp buildup or post-workout grime.
Anyone can benefit from these products, but they shine brightest when your lifestyle demands more than a head-to-toe soap routine. After the gym, between meetings, post-commute or before a night out, they’re made for every part of your day. And many infuse do-good ingredients to get you there. There’s eucalyptus and menthol for cooling relief for sore muscles. Charcoal detoxifies and absorbs sweat and oil. Salicylic acid keeps pores clear, while hyaluronic acid helps hydrate. Natural oils, like tea tree, peppermint, lavender or sandalwood not only smell clean, but deliver antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. Whether you’re sweating through a HIIT class or just trying to survive a sweltering subway ride, body performance products are built to keep you feeling fresh, focused and comfortable. Here are seven of our favourites to try now.
AXE x Toronto Raptors 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Body Wash
$6.47 for 473 ml, available at Walmart
This body wash is built to perform. Infused with menthol, it delivers a cooling, post-workout cleanse that reinvigorates tired skin. Glycerin helps lock in moisture for all-day hydration, while lactic acid gently exfoliates to smooth and refresh your skin after intense activity. Formulated with 100 per cent plant-based moisturizers and free from parabens, it’s tough on sweat and odor, but gentle where it counts. With a clean, energizing scent of crushed mint and rosemary and 12-hour odor protection, this dermatologist-tested wash keeps up with you, whether you’re heading into a meeting or out of the gym.
Dove Men+Care Whole Body Deodorant For Pits, Privates, Feet, & More
From $15.99 for 113, ml, available at Shoppers Drug Mart
Whether you’re powering through your day or winding down before bed, this aluminum-free formula delivers long-lasting odor defense that’s tough where it needs to be and gentle everywhere else. And you can use it everywhere. Literally. From underarms to feet, including your more sensitive zones, it’s safe and enriched with vitamin E to soothe, glycerin to hydrate and niacinamide to support skin health. Solid stick or spray format, zinc neodecanoate works to neutralize odor, while the warm blend of “Shea butter & Cedarwood” or “Marine & Blue Cypress” keeps you smelling clean. Dermatologist-tested, PETA-certified vegan and versatile enough to move with you, this is next-level deodorant for use when you expect more from your routine.
Garnier Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum
$8.99 for 150 ml, available at Shoppers Drug Mart
Combat frizz and add shine, even when you’re in high humidity outside and sweating through a game of pick-up basketball. With its formula of sustainably sourced argan oil from Morocco, Garnier’s exclusive Kera-System+ technology and a blend of smoothing and shine agents, the lightweight, leave-in serum penetrates frizzy, dry, unmanageable hair to provide lasting smoothness and shine for up to 72 hours. Even in 97 per cent humidity. With nary a paraben or phthalate and with approval from Cruelty Free International under the Leaping Bunny Program, your hair and scalp with be well cared for. Simply apply it to damp or dry hair, focusing on the lengths and ends.
LUSH The Old Songs Are Waking Limited Edition Body Scrub
$32 for 290 ml, available at LUSH
Time travel in the shower? Maybe not, but this exfoliator will certainly transform your scrub and lather time time into a sensory experience you’ll definitely want to repeat. The product’s sugar-based formula gently buffs away dead skin cells, revealing smoother, brighter skin without harsh abrasives. And its formula is enriched with fair trade organic cocoa butter, babassu oil and extra virgin coconut oil, to not only exfoliates but also deeply moisturize, leaving your skin soft and hydrated. The scrub’s scent is a delectable too with a sweet, gourmand blend of vanilla absolute, tonka and bergamot, to give you a warm, comforting aroma that lingers post-shower.
Po Athletic Post Workout Athletic Wipes
$24.99 for 30 wipes, available at www.poathletic.com
This Canadian brand specializes in creating products for athletes, so you know your needs are in good hands. Designed for a quick, effective way to cleanse and refresh after physical activity, these biodegradable and compostable wipes are a convenient solution to remove sweat, grime and sunscreen without the need for water, making them ideal for use after a run, bike ride or intense meeting with your boss. They’re fuelled with witch hazel leaf extract and peppermint oil to provide a cooling and soothing effect to calm the skin. Caffeine and rosemary leaf oil invigorate, while glycerin and oat kernel extract offer hydration and nourishment. Additionally, zinc PCA helps control excess oil and green tea leaf extract delivers antioxidant benefits. Plus, they’re packaged for convenience, so you can take them anywhere.
The Peace Labs Peace Balm Muscle Relief Roll-on
$45 for 50 ml, available online at www.thepeacelabs.com
A high-performance topical solution designed to address your everyday discomforts with a “rolling” natural approach. Its rollerball application makes targeting sore muscles easy so that you can use it one your neck, shoulders, temples and lower abdomen and back, anytime and anywhere. The formulation includes 10 per cent L-menthol and 3 per cent camphor to provide a cooling sensation, stimulating circulation to alleviate muscle soreness and tension. The balm also incorporates peony root extract, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and cornsilk, which contributes to the product’s smooth texture. With three calm-inducing aromatherapy scents to choose from: “Cedar Mist,” “Eucalyptus” and “Fresh Rain,” you’ll smell and feel great.
Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer
$14 for 30 ml, available at Sephora
Not your average antibacterial spray, this fast-absorbing mist combines high-performance sanitation with skincare benefits and aesthetic appeal. Each spritz delivers 67 per cent ethyl alcohol to kill 99.9 per cent of germs and all while moisturizing your hands with ingredients like aloe vera and essential oils. Tough on bacteria, it’s a must-have for commuting, post workout and hours of hand shaking at your next conference. Thanks to its sleek, travel-friendly flat bottle packaging, you can effortlessly slip it into a pocket or carry-on bag too. And possibly the best part, it comes in six scents—from “Blue Sandalwoodd,” “Berry Bliss” and “Wild Watermelon” to “Pure Lavender,” “Beach Coco” and “Rainwater”—that each spray on with evenly with each pump, drying quickly so that all you’re left with is clean, smooth, germ free and lightly fragranced hands.
