Sore Muscle Soothers

No pain, no gain! Beauties, we know many of you vowed to get back into shape in 2012. If you haven’t worked out in ages, your muscles will ache as your body re-acclimates to daily exercise. There are plenty of easy methods to relieve cramps, soreness, and that next-day ouch you feel. Ice and ibuprofen (i.e. Advil) will help calm inflammation and a bath with Epsom salts will increase bloodflow and promote healing. But one of the best ways to get instant relief is to massage a warming product on the area that hurts. The naturally calming ingredients penetrate deep down to help loosen balled up muscles and prevent them from tightening up overnight. Don't worry, you don't have to deal with that medicinal Bengay odor either! We rounded up a few of our favorite au naturel soothers to make your fitness transition a little easier.

BAR:

Lush Sore Labours Massage Bar 

Rub-a-dub-dub! This massage bar ($10) includes cardamom oil and jasmine oil, which warms and relaxes stiff muscles. Apply immediately after your post-workout shower for relief from soreness. Bonus: The bar is made up of ultra-hydrating cocoa butter and shea butter so your skin will be soft too!

CREAM:

Ole Henriksen Muscle Comfort Lotion

Similar to the cult-classic Kathleen Lewis Stiff and Sore Muscle Massage Cream, this lotion ($28) is packed with a splendid blend of cramp-relieving ingredients that numb trouble spots. The cream includes peppermint, which spurs circulation, lavender oil, which heals, and seaweed extract which reduces fluid build up—especially around the ankles!

OIL:

Biologique Recherche Body Huile Jambes Lourdes

Legs feeling heavy? Take a load off! Put some pep back in your step with this luxe French oil ($104). The mix includes cypress, camphor, sage, mint and rosemary essential oils, which invigorate your limbs and rev up micro-circulation.