Fast Legs Skincare Review | Essential Skincare for Cyclists

I was approached by Australian skincare company Fast Legs about featuring their new range of products in the magazine. Being an elder millennial, my Gen Alpha daughter has a 10-step skincare routine morning and night while I wash my face and moisturise at best. Hence, I probably look far more fossilised than I need to. So ‘what the heck’ I thought, let’s give it a go. 

The Melbourne-based brand was developed by dedicated cyclists to address the chafing, saddle sores and rash that plague many athletes dedicated to hours on the bike. 

I tested out the Fast Legs Essentials pack, retailing at $120, which consists of four products discussed more below.

Anti-Chafing and Chamois Cream (RRP $29)

Chamois cream is a mainstay of dedicated cyclists’ skincare, with which most long-distance riders will be well acquainted. It reduces the friction of the skin on and around your sensitive parts to reduce chafing and abrasion. I have used many options for chamois cream before, but not for every ride. However, if I am doing a stage race, a big bike holiday, or a 20-hour training week, then I will be digging deep into the chamois cream.

What I really liked about the Fast Legs Chamois creme was that it wasn’t thick and goopy: some brands I have used have a texture more like body butter. The Fast Legs Chamois Cream is a much thinner option. Though thinner, it effectively reduces friction without needing to reapply. The best part? The chamois cream comes in a hygienic pump pack, meaning a cycling couple or family doesn’t have to worry about the ick of the double dip.

Anti-Bacterial Body Wash (RRP $29)

The idea behind the anti-bacterial body wash is twofold: prophylactically cleanse your sensitive areas using the antibacterial properties of tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil and aloe while addressing any budding areas of concern. It has a strong tea tree and eucalyptus scent that could be a deal breaker for some, but I found it reminded me of a beach holiday. This product works really well to maintain the integrity of skin, especially when chafe or abrasion was just starting to emerge. This is again a great product for daily use, but perhaps especially when you’re up for a few big days on the bike, whether it be a bike pack or a week at Thredbo.

Face Clean (RRP $39)

Many people will already use a facial cleanser. The Fast Legs Face Clean is designed to clean your face after a ride and also acts as a makeup remover without drying the skin too much. To my chagrin, many cleansers I have used through the years cause chaos for my sensitive skin, often drying it excessively or leading to rashy reactions. I was pleasantly surprised that the Fast Legs Face Clean did neither; in fact, it left my skin feeling smooth and not excessively dry, which is a win. With the key ingredients AHA lactic acid and aloe, I wouldn’t expect it to leave a greasy residue with an oilier skin type.

For the blokes out there, many of you may not even use a facial cleanser, and this option is a great gateway into looking after your skin a bit better. 

Recovery Face Gel ($39)

Recovery face gel is a bit of a surprise. I would usually use a moisturiser after a cleanser, and this product effectively replaces that. A very viscous product, you only need a tiny amount of Recovery Face Gel; hence, the small bottle will last a long time. This product was designed to deal with the extra wear and tear our faces feel in the sun, rain, and wind on the bike. With B3 and B5 hyaluronic acid, the Recovery Face Gel offers deep moisture; I used this mainly if I had inadvertently gotten too much sun or my skin was extra dry. 

For everyday use, I would stick with a lighter moisturiser but would reach for this after some big days in the elements. 

Overall, the Fast Legs products represent a great option for the everyday cyclist to address many concerns only present when spending a lot of time on the bike. I think the Essentials Pack I tested would be a perfect gift to yourself or a cycling friend, especially for use on an active holiday, bike packing trip, or with a heavy training load. Perhaps the Fast Legs product is a great way to help an elder millennial with their skincare!