Gymnast Gabby Douglas Shares $5 Self-Care Hacks and Talks Possible 2028 Olympic Comeback

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Olympic legend Gabby Douglas knows the importance of taking care of herself, both mentally and physically. In this self-care guide, Gabby reveals her go-to products and affordable essentials that help her stay grounded and healthy, from skincare staples to clever foot care solutions. She also shares a few personal hacks, favorite snacks, and even a special treat for her dog, offering a well-rounded look at how she balances her demanding schedule.

Among her tips, she reveals an amazing hack from the gymnastics community that helps combat dry hands and the wear and tear they endure—a quick solution that anyone can try at home. All you need green tea bag, calendula oil, and a non-latex glove.

In addition to her self-care routine, Gabby opens up about the possibility of competing in the 2028 Olympics, giving fans an inside look at her thoughts on a potential return. 

Her practical approach to wellness shows that staying in top form is achievable with a few simple, thoughtful choices, inspiring others to make time for self-care in their own lives.

Gabby Douglas Self-Care Guide

"I feel like foot care should be a part of our everyday regimen, just like we do with our hair, skin, and nails."

Shoppers Agree: This super hydrating foot balm has 16,700+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

Erin Andrews told E!, "Another must-have for me is this Severe Cracked Heel Balm. I put this on when I get home or get back to the hotel and need some hydration on my feet. It's essential when I haven't been able to get a pedicure. It's super easy to travel with."

Shoppers Say: "Miracle balm! I put this stuff on my heels at night and cover with some moisturizing fuzzy sleep socks. OMG! In 2 nights I went from crusty, cracked feet to considering selling feet pics online. I’ve tried everything for years to get these dry feet under control and my mind is blown at how quickly this worked!"

"I love using foot masks. They help your foot moisturize, bring out the toxins, and restore your foot."

Shoppers Agree: Gabby's foot care essential has 5,100+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

Shoppers Say: "Definitely works. This immediately works for me after allowing the required time. Feet are super soft and lasts for a couple of days."

"I have noticed when I don’t do a lot to my skin that it’s the best it’s been.  I’ll do an aloe vera cleanser."

This aloe vera cleanser calms redness and irritation.

Customers gave this highly-effective product 5,000+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

Shoppers Say: "Magical!!! My skin is so clear, soft, moisturized and pores are so small I had no idea that was even possible! I grew up thinking that the best skin care products are the high end expensive ones! WRONG! If u have dry sensitive skin like mine, try this stuff!"

"I love a peppermint toothpaste with essential oils and charcoal. I will just put charcoal powder on the toothpaste."

Shoppers Agree: "I rarely ever leave reviews, but this product is incredible! I spend the summer barefoot in the yard and at the pool, so my feet always need a little love. This worked better than most products I’ve had used on me at nail salons! I cannot recommend it enough! You can’t beat the price, it’s super easy to use, comes with an extra set of batteries, and easily removed the calluses from my feet leaving them much softer!"

"I like the charcoal. It’s working and it’s a more natural, more organic, teeth whitening."

Tips from Gabby: "I use it for brushing in the morning and at night."

More from Gabby: "I used to do whitening strips, but I didn't find those to work very well for me, and they burned my gums, so I stopped doing that."

Shoppers Agree: This charcoal powder has 12,500+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

Shoppers Say: "This was an amazing product. I used this for 4 days straight and I immediately saw a difference in my teeth and ever since my teeth have looked very white."

"I will exfoliate and do a light oil here and there, so my skin doesn’t get too dry."

This hydrating oil has 11,900+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

Shoppers Say: "I have been using this product for about three weeks and can see a significant improvement in my face for the better. I will continue using this forever."

"I love it! I don't have anything bad to say about it I use every day when doing my face care routine! I originally bought it to get rid of the dark spots underneath my chin and I think it's working really well I definitely recommend it 10/10 for me! try it and see."

"Salt and vinegar chips are my favorite, hands down."

More from Gabby: "If I’m being good, I will do a protein smoothie. If I’m bad, I will literally eat three bags of chips. I’m not even kidding. Three bags. I am a chips girly."

Shoppers Agree: Gabby's favorite chips have 56,100+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

Your Options: 8 flavors, including a variety pack if you have trouble picking just one.

"The chalk dries out my feet, so I like to come home and take care of my feet. I’m a super fan of the Dr. Scholl's Dry, Cracked Foot Repair Ultra-Hydrating Foot Cream."

Shoppers Agree: This 24-hour hydrating cream has 3,400+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

Shoppers Say: "Magic foot cream. This Dr. Scholl’s foot cream really surprised me. I could tell the difference in my feet after just one use. They felt soft and hydrated instantly and for days after using it. I’ve been using it once a week for over a month now and am still impressed by it. I will definitely continue to buy this in the future."

"I do a lot of stick diffusers and candles. I like a good vanilla."

Your Options: 16 scents and 6 flowers

Shoppers Agree: This reed diffuser set has 12,200+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

Shoppers Say: "This diffuser is not only stylish but also fills my home with a delightful fragrance. It complements my decor perfectly and adds a touch of elegance to any room. The scent is pleasant and long-lasting, creating a cozy atmosphere that I enjoy coming home to."

"This is going to sound really weird, but I like a men's cologne type of candle."

Shoppers Agree: This candle is reminiscent of men's cologne and it has 2,300+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

Shoppers Say: "This candle quite simply smells like a man fresh out the shower and he reached over and sprayed his cologne a few times and it hits your nose. I’m joking but I’m also serious."

"Best candle I've ever bought! Gives off a great cologne scent that isn't too overbearing. Also lasts a long time!!"

"Depending on how dry my feet are and if there are callouses, I use the callus remover."

Shoppers Agree: "I rarely ever leave reviews, but this product is incredible! I spend the summer barefoot in the yard and at the pool, so my feet always need a little love. This worked better than most products I’ve had used on me at nail salons! I cannot recommend it enough! You can’t beat the price, it’s super easy to use, comes with an extra set of batteries, and easily removed the calluses from my feet leaving them much softer!"

"Coola’s sunscreen out of the bottle is great. Many sunscreens leave my skin white and ashy. I don’t like that."

Shoppers Agree: This sunscreen has 2,400+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

Shoppers Say: "This facial sunscreen is lightweight unscented, non-sticky, and rubs in clear without a white cast."

"Coola is a very light sunscreen, in my opinion, and I like it."

Gabby Douglas' Dry Hands Hack, Straight from the Gymnastics Community

What You Need:

• Calendula Oil
• Green Tea Bags
• Non-Latex Gloves

Gabby says, "My hands get totally ripped up. If I have a rip in my hands, and I often have so many, it’s important for me to keep it moisturized. I use a green tea bag, oil, and a non-latex glove. I learned about it through the gymnastics community. It keeps my hands moisturized and heals those rips very quickly."

"I like calendula oil. I will do the calendula oil, then green tea, and then the glove."

Shoppers Agree: This hydrating oil has 6,200+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

Shoppers Say: "Game changer for dry hands & cuticles. My nail tech uses this on all her clients, and recommended I use 2x a day to help with cuticle & hand care."

"I get a green tea bag and make it as if I’m having tea. Then, I put the bag on my hand and a glove, just a regular glove."

Shoppers Agree: This green tea has 4,000+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

"I do just a normal glove, but no latex."

Tips from Gabby: "I think it’s better to have a glove you can throw away so you don’t have to worry about using a dirty glove or cleaning it like you would with cotton."

Size Range: These gloves are available in sizes ranging from small to XL. 

Shoppers Agree: These gloves have 7,600+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

Gabby Douglas' Dog Training Hack 

Gabby says, "I have a husky. There’s no sense of training that dog. He just has his own personality. He knows better though, obviously. He is actually doing very well and he has a strong personality. I don’t buy him toys because he’ll just rip everything up."

"He just chews on a rawhide bone. That’s what keeps him in line, nothing else does the trick. It’s like a kid on their tablet."

More from Gabby: "Something more natural works best for him, like a rawhide bone. He loves those."

Shoppers Agree: These bones have 1,600+ 5-star Amazon reviews.

Gabby Douglas Updates & Helpful Advice

E!: What advice do you have for people who struggle to make time for self-care?
GD:  I would say, put that first, because it's definitely needed. A lot of times we put others before us, which is fine, but I think, at the end of the day, it's important to put yourself first as well. 

E!: What are some things we can do to focus on self-care and treat ourselves?
GD: I would say to start now with skincare and hair care when you can make the time. My friend's mom said, "I wish I would have put myself first more. I wish I prioritized skincare when I was younger. Now I have to play catch up with self-care."

So, I would say, do it now, while you still can. Start now while you have the elasticity, the collagen, and all that. Keep that up.

E!: An injury derailed your path to the 2024 Olympics. Are you training with the 2028 Olympics in mind?
GD: Before championships, I had a spill on the beam and I hurt my ankle. It’s just getting back to normal healing at this point. So, I’m just taking it one day at a time and it’s off-season, so I’m just getting back into it.

Right now, I’m playing around with my skills and my routines. I’ll take it from there, we’ll see, but obviously ‘28 is the goal, but I’m trying not to get super overwhelmed. It’s also four years out and we can see where things go from here.

If you want to do more Olympic-inspired shopping, you'll love these picks from Team USA gymnast Leanne Wong.