Fitness Boom's Surprising Impact on Skincare Industry Growth
The modern fitness movement has created ripple effects far beyond gym memberships. One notable beneficiary has been the skincare industry, which has experienced substantial growth as fitness enthusiasts discover new needs for their workout-stressed skin.
The Workout-to-Skincare Pipeline
Exercise can cause various skin issues like excessive sweating, increased oil production and clogged pores. "Equipment such as helmets, heavy clothing and athletic gear can cause friction against the skin leading to irritation and acne breakouts in susceptible individuals," explains Dr. Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
In Fort Myers, Florida dermani MEDSPA® franchise owner, Michael Stark, said he has definitely seen a rise in people seeking post- and pre-workout care. "The fitness craze is probably why we are seeing more men than ever before," Stark added.
The Social Media Multiplier
Fitness influencers also have become powerful skincare advocates as they share complete fitness-to-wellness regimens-- including medispa visits. The visual nature of platforms like Instagram and TikTok has accelerated this trend, with hashtags like #WorkoutSkincare generating millions of views.
This visibility has normalized specialized skincare routines for active people and introduced these services to demographics that traditional skincare marketing might miss.
Athleisure Effect
The "athleisure" fashion trend has extended into what industry insiders now call "athleisure beauty" – products designed to look good during workouts while providing skincare benefits. Tinted sunscreens, hydrating face mists, and lightweight moisturizers have become gym bag essentials.
According to Sarah Jindal, Associate Director of Global Beauty Innovation at Mintel: "We're seeing a rise in products designed specifically for use during and after workouts. The athleisure trend has expanded into beauty, with consumers seeking skincare formulations that address workout-specific concerns."
The MediSpa Revolution
The fitness-skincare connection has fueled significant growth in the medical spa industry. One significant development has been the introduction of IV drip therapies specifically formulated for fitness enthusiasts, delivering hydration, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids directly into the bloodstream.
Popular treatments for fitness enthusiasts at Stark’s dermani MEDSPA® location in Florida now include:
- Vital Flow Awakening – advanced hydration treatment designed to help recover from marathon workouts, heat exhaustion and fatigue.
- Vital Flow Fit – for weekend warriors, gym enthusiasts and marathoners who need a boost of energy, hydration and muscle recovery.
- Vital Flow Complete – an all-in-one treatment that supplies the body with a proprietary combination of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, copper, glutathione, B12, and B5 to optimize your body's natural healing response to reduce chronic fatigue and pain, improve immunity, support energy production and maintain skin health.
- Vitamin C – 15,000mg or 25,000mg dose to stimulate the production and function of white blood cells while enhancing the body's immune system to fight infections—often a concern in crowded gyms and locker rooms.
In addition to IV Therapies, Stark's dermani MEDSPA® offers individual vitamin injections of Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3 or Alpha Lipoic Acid which are popular among fitness enthusiasts because they are associated with potential benefits many are seeking. Such as, Vitamin B12, linked with energy production to reduce fatigue. Vitamin D3 supports muscle strength and bone health which may improve exercise capacity. Alpha lipoic acid, an antioxidant, may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially accelerating recovery from intense exercise.
Looking Ahead: The Integration Continues
"As we eagerly step into the next stage of beauty evolution with the expansion of these highly requested services, our main focus remains the same – creating an affordable space with effective restorative therapies," said Stark, reflecting the mission of the award-winning franchise that has been providing premier skincare services since 2013. "By expanding our service portfolio, we can provide our clients with the ability to enhance athletic performance, combat inflammation and accelerate the body's natural recovery time."
The Fort Myers location was granted permission by the franchisor dermani MEDSPA® to expand its offerings in keeping with the company’s mission as a leading beauty brand renowned for its expertise in evidence-based aesthetic age management treatments. This initiative introduced a suite of six different therapy IV drips and three medical-grade vitamin injections to boost cellular production, reduce inflammation, provide illness recovery support and improve energy.
As these athleisure sectors continue their mutually beneficial relationship, franchisees can expect more innovative solutions that support both their fitness-centric clientele and their growth aspirations.
About the Author
Robyn Deering is a franchise consultant supporting both franchisees and franchisors throughout Florida's Gulf coast region. Proud member of The Veterans Franchise Council. Contact Robyn at Robyn@TheFranchiseConsultingCompany.com.







