If you’ve ever gotten a runner’s high, or have simply felt great after a workout, you probably recognize the awesome benefits of physical activity. In addition to some of the more obvious advantages, exercise can also help boost your skin health! 

Physical activity works to improve the look and function of your skin through a number of physiological mechanisms. Here are 5 reasons to get up and get moving for the sake of your skin. 

1. Stress less

Chronic stress can result in a spike in cortisol and other stress hormones. These circulating hormones can cause inflammation within the body and increase your risk of or exacerbate skin conditions like rosacea, acne and dermatitis [1]. Physical activity is shown to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for rest and digest processes) and turns off the taps to your stress hormones [1].

By exercising regularly your body can better regulate your nervous system and in turn, reduce the harmful reaction that can cause many common skin conditions. 

2. Sweat it out

The process of sweating actually helps push dirt and bacteria from your pores. Further, minerals in your sweat can hydrate and exfoliate naturally. Just remember to shower off your sweat within an hour of working out to prevent bacterial growth. Learn more about how sweat can benefit the skin HERE. 

3. Let the glow show

Physical activity induces vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) in your muscles and skin to help carry oxygen and nutrients to the appropriate places and to encourage cooling. As a result, the skin becomes flushed as it floods with blood. This workout glow can actually help carry essential nutrients to the skin and can kickstart cell turnover. Research even shows that those who have better facial blood circulation have fewer visible signs of aging [2]. 

4. Age gracefully

There are many factors that influence skin aging. Some lifestyle choices help to preserve cellular processes that keep you young and some expedite ageing. Studies show that physical activity helps your body prevent some of the mechanisms that lead to early cell death. Exercise helps the body maintain function by balancing energy stores, reduce oxidative stress and decreases pro-inflammatory proteins. All of these physiological actions help to keep you DNA intact and can delay visible signs of aging like fine lines, decreased elasticity, and overall skin brightness. 

5. Level out a breakout

Some studies show that spikes in blood sugar can exacerbate skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, and acne [3]. A proven way to manage your blood sugar is to perform regular physical activity throughout the day. Both longer workout sessions and smaller 5 minute “exercise snacks” throughout the day, can help keep blood sugar at a more consistent level. In turn this may help decrease the instance of breakouts and other skin conditions impacted by blood sugar spikes.

So next time you want to take your regimen beyond the bottle, try working up a sweat for the sake of your skin! Then, after you work out try our Come Clean Cleansing Cloths or Natural Foaming Face Wash to refresh your skin.

References 

 [1] Jafferany, M. (2007). Psychodermatology: a guide to understanding common psychocutaneous disorders. Primary care companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry, 9(3), 203.

[2] Tsukahara K, Nagashima Y, Moriwaki S, Fujimura T, Hattori M, Takema Y. Relationship between physical parameters and blood flow in human facial skin. J Cosmet Sci. 2003 Sep-Oct;54(5):499-511. PMID: 14605691.

[3] Umbayev, B., Askarova, S., Almabayeva, A., Saliev, T., Masoud, A. R., & Bulanin, D. (2020). Galactose-Induced Skin Aging: The Role of Oxidative Stress. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2020.