Grip Gel: How and When to Use It on Your Yoga Mat

Quick answer

Use grip gel only when your hands or feet slide on a clean mat, especially during hot yoga or if you have sweaty palms. Apply a pea-sized amount to dry hands, rub until tacky, and reapply as needed. It is not a substitute for cleaning your mat or for a towel on a soaked surface.

Grip gel is a temporary tackifier for your hands and feet, not a product you apply to the mat itself. It helps when sweat breaks down your natural traction, but it will not fix a dirty mat, a worn-out surface, or a poor match between your body and your mat.

This guide walks through exactly how to use grip gel, when it makes sense, and the mistakes that leave people stickier than before. You will also see which Yoga Design Lab mats pair well with grip gel and when a towel or a different mat is the better answer.

What grip gel does and does not do

Grip gel adds a thin, tacky layer to your skin so your hands and feet resist sliding on the mat surface. It is most useful when your palms sweat faster than your mat can absorb or wick moisture. It does not absorb sweat, clean your mat, or restore a slick, worn-out surface.

If your mat is already moisture-activated, like the Combo Yoga Mat - Pearl, sweat actually improves grip. In that case, grip gel is usually unnecessary. If your mat is cork, like the Cork Yoga Mat - Natural Balance, the surface also grips better as it becomes damp. Grip gel is for the moments when your skin is the problem, not the mat.

• Use grip gel on your skin, not on the mat.
• A clean mat is still the foundation of good grip.

When to use grip gel (and when to skip it)

Reach for grip gel when you are practicing hot yoga, when your hands slide in downward dog despite a clean mat, or when you are borrowing a studio mat and want a quick grip boost. It is also helpful for poses that rely on hand traction, like arm balances, if sweat is your main obstacle.

Skip grip gel if your mat is dirty or oily, if the surface is physically worn smooth, or if you are already using a towel that covers the slippery area. Also skip it if you have sensitive skin or open cuts, since repeated application can cause irritation. Grip gel is a targeted fix, not a daily habit for every practice.

• Try cleaning your mat first; many grip issues are just residue.
• If a towel solves the slip, you do not need grip gel.

How to apply grip gel step by step

Start with clean, dry hands. Squeeze a pea-sized amount onto one palm and rub your palms together for 10 to 15 seconds until the gel feels tacky rather than wet. Press your hands onto the mat and test a downward dog or plank. If you still slide, add a smaller amount rather than a large blob.

For feet, apply a thin layer to the soles and let it set for a few seconds before stepping onto the mat. Reapply only to the areas that need it. Over-application creates a slippery film, which is the opposite of what you want. Wash your hands after practice to remove residue.

• Less is more: start with a pea-sized amount.
• Test grip in a plank before committing to a full flow.

Mat compatibility: which surfaces work best

Grip gel works on most closed-cell and open-cell mats, but it performs differently depending on the surface. On a moisture-activated microfiber surface, like the Combo Yoga Mat - Jungle Harmony, the mat itself already responds to sweat, so grip gel can be redundant. On a natural rubber base with a cork top, like the Cork Yoga Mat - Natural Balance, the cork grips better as it dampens, so gel is rarely needed.

If you practice on a travel mat such as the Travel Combo Yoga Mat - Rose, its 1.5mm profile gives you less cushioning but the sweat-activated surface still handles moisture well. Grip gel can help on very smooth studio mats or older mats that have lost their texture. Always test a small area first to avoid staining or residue.

• Test grip gel on a small corner before using it in class.
• Moisture-activated and cork surfaces often need no gel at all.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The biggest mistake is applying grip gel to the mat instead of your skin. That creates a sticky patch that attracts dust and can ruin the surface. Another mistake is using too much; a thick layer feels wet and reduces friction. Third, applying to dirty hands traps oil and grime against the mat.

Also avoid using grip gel as a substitute for cleaning. If your mat smells or feels oily, wash it with a mat wash first. And if you have sensitive skin, do a patch test on a small area of your wrist before applying it to your palms. If irritation occurs, stop using it.

• Never apply grip gel directly to the mat surface.
• Patch-test on your wrist if you have sensitive skin.

Grip gel application steps

1. Clean your mat and hands: Wipe your mat with a mat wash and wash your hands with soap and water. Dry both completely. Checkpoint: if your mat still feels oily, clean it again before applying anything.
2. Apply a pea-sized amount to your palms: Squeeze a small amount onto one palm and rub your hands together for 10–15 seconds until tacky, not wet. Mistake to avoid: using too much gel creates a slippery film.
3. Test grip in a plank or downward dog: Press your hands into the mat and shift weight forward. If you still slide, add a smaller amount rather than a large blob. Checkpoint: you should feel resistance, not stickiness.
4. Apply to feet only if needed: If your feet slide in poses like warrior or balance poses, apply a thin layer to the soles and let it set for a few seconds. Mistake to avoid: applying to feet before they are dry.
5. Reapply sparingly during practice: If sweat breaks down the gel, pat your hands dry and reapply a tiny amount. Do not layer it over wet skin. Checkpoint: if you need to reapply more than twice, consider a towel instead.
6. Wash hands after practice: Rinse your hands with warm water and soap to remove any residue. Wipe your mat if you touched it with gel-covered hands. Next step: store grip gel in your bag for hot classes only.

Yoga Design Lab mats and grip gel

• Combo Yoga Mat - Pearl: This mat fuses a natural rubber base with a moisture-activated microfiber surface for unmatched grip. Because sweat activates the grip, you likely do not need grip gel on this mat; save it for when your hands are dry and slick.
• Cork Yoga Mat - Natural Balance: The moisture-activated cork surface ensures non-slip support through every pose. Cork grips better as it becomes damp, so grip gel is usually unnecessary unless you are dealing with dry, smooth skin on a cold day.
• Travel Combo Yoga Mat - Rose: This 1.5mm mat blends a sweat-activated microfiber towel surface and a natural rubber base for superior grip. Its sweat-activated surface handles moisture well, but the thin profile means you may still want grip gel for extra confidence in arm balances.

Grip gel is a small, targeted tool for sweaty hands and slippery moments, not a replacement for a clean mat or the right surface. Use it sparingly on your skin, test it first, and lean on your mat's own moisture-activated grip when you can. If you are still slipping after that, it may be time to clean your mat or try a different surface.