STEP ONE: Wash your face. Not to disparage good old soap and water, but soap often blocks your pores and dries out your skin. There is a better way to cleanse your face after you've done your cooldown, stretched and guzzled that protein shake. Using a foamy cleanser will remove the sweat and dirt that's piled up yet won't turn your face into the Sahara. Our pick? Facewash by Este'e Lauder ($17-50), a light, nongirlie gel cleanser with a clear bluish hue.

STEP TWO: Lather up. There's a dizzying array of soaps and shower gels at your disposal, but a high-performance player isn't so easy to find. It might seem weird to rub-a-dub with a green-tea-filled soap, but Tea Thymes by The Thymes Limited ($6.50) is rich in antioxidants (which help fight premature aging) and ginkgo leaves (extra helpful for dry skin). Alternatively, Calming Body Cleanser by Aveda ($9) can be used as a body gel or shampoo; its aromatic scents could relax even the most tense.

STEP THREE: Scrub your scalp. Sweating can be good for your hair, making it feel luxuriant; look for a shampoo that cleans without stripping out the hair's natural oils, according to Nancy Belli, spa manager at Trump International Hotel & Tower's in New York City. A post-workout shower is also a perfect time to more energy on your scalp: massagin it as you shampoo could enhance hair growth, says Sean Jahanbigloo, creative director of Juan Juan Salon in Beverly Hills, California. For that mix of hardworking cleaning action and performance, we suggest Healthy Hair Revitalising Shampoo by Molton Brown ($18). This spicy cleanser is loaded with amino acids to nourish your roots and protect against dandruff. Alternative Shampoo by KMS ($6.95) is another favorite for its lustrous consistency and minimal fruity smell.

STEP FOUR: Rehydrate. It may sound crazy to lube your skin after showering, but your mission is to seal in moisture. "When you work out more, you shower more, leaving your skin more vulnerable to dryness," says Marila Iliopoulos, director of cosmetics at Crunch Fitness in New York City. " In the long term, that dryness will contribute to a duller overall look." That makes moisturizing a critical step before you leave the locker room. You won't feel like a greasy seal - if you pick the right product. To hydrate and replenish the skin we suggest Vitamin Enriched Body Lotion by Hilfiger Athletics ($16). Or if you're self-conscious about the tube you use, plain old Lubriderm ($6.99) works wonders too. Don't forget your face, either, since men tend to have oilier skin than women. To the rescue: Skin Fitness+ by Callaway Golf/Nordstrom ($22.50). Enriched with SPF 25, which you'll need if you're heading outside for some after-workout face time, this moisturizer also boasts vitamins and botanicals to protect your mug.

STEP FIVE. Quick pit stop. The final act: underarm patrol. For long-lasting action, we suggest M, the subtly citrus-scented antiperspirant/deodorant by Banana Republic ($10). And there's always old faithful: Speed Stick Ultimate by Mennen ($2) now claims 24-hour protection, which should be sufficient to carry you through until your next shower-or workout.