The Connection Between Exercise and Skin Health: Is Working Out Good for Your Skin?

Do you ever wonder if all of that time working out is really paying off? Aside from the obvious health benefits, it turns out that there’s a pretty amazing connection between exercise and skincare. Believe it or not, regularly breaking a sweat can have some serious benefits for your skin. So if you’re looking for ways to keep your skin looking its best, you definitely need to add exercise to the mix! Here are just a few of the ways that working out can help improve your skin health. 

How does exercise help your skin?

Improves oxygen flow to your skin

When you exercise, your body’s oxygen levels increase. This is beneficial for your skin because it helps to improve its overall elasticity. Additionally, the increased oxygen flow helps to flush out toxins and impurities that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Namely, oxygen and nutrients are essential for healthy skin cells, so by increasing the amount of oxygen that your body is getting, you’re essentially giving your skin a major health boost.

Reduces stress levels

We all know that stress can wreak havoc on our skin. From breakouts to dullness, there are plenty of ways that stress can take a toll. So it’s no surprise that reducing stress levels can have a major impact on your skin’s appearance. Exercise is a great way to reduce the stress hormone cortisol because it helps to increase endorphins, aka the “happy hormones.” By helping to improve your mood, regular exercise can indirectly lead to better skin.

Boosts collagen production

Collagen is a protein that’s essential for skin health. It helps to keep skin looking plump and youthful, and it also aids in wound healing. Unfortunately, collagen production starts to decline as we age, which can lead to wrinkles and other signs of aging. But here’s where exercise comes in. Namely, one of the benefits of working out is that it helps to boost collagen production. So not only can exercise help to reduce the appearance of existing wrinkles, but it can also help to prevent new ones from forming.

Improves skin tone

In addition to improving collagen production, exercise can also help to improve your skin’s overall tone and texture. This is because regular physical activity helps to increase blood flow and circulation, which in turn helps bring more nutrients and oxygen to the skin. This can help keep your skin looking healthy and radiant, and can even help reduce inflammation and blemishes. [caption id="attachment_12780" align="aligncenter" width="1033"]  If you prefer exercising outside, then during your sweating, you need to check out sunscreens' waterproof properties to apply it more frequently than usual.[/caption]

Promotes cell growth

Finally, exercise also helps to promote cell growth. This is beneficial for your skin because it helps to replace old and damaged skin cells with new, healthy ones. As a result, regular exercise can help improve your skin’s overall appearance and texture. And of all types of exercises, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and endurance exercise have been shown to have an anti-aging effect by increasing telomerase activity. It's an enzyme responsible for protecting our DNA leading to better cell growth and replication.

Gives you a "post-workout glow"

If you've ever noticed that your skin has a certain glow after working out, you're not imagining things. It's actually a real phenomenon, and it's due to the increased blood flow that we mentioned earlier. When you exercise, your heart rate increases, and your blood vessels dilate, which allows for better blood circulation. This gives your skin a temporary flush that can last for up to several hours after you finish working out. So, if you want glowing skin, an exercise routine is definitely something you should add to your beauty regime.

Can exercise be harmful to your skin?

In some cases, yes, it can be harmful. For example, if you exercise outside. In this case, you need to be careful of the amount of sun exposure you’re getting. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to skin damage, so it’s important to make sure you’re using sunscreen if you’re going to be spending a lot of time outdoors. Also, during your sweating, you might need to check out sunscreens' waterproof properties to apply it more frequently than usual.

Working out might exacerbate rosacea

Exercise can trigger rosacea symptoms and causes redness in the skin, swelling, and irritability. Several treatment options are currently available for rosacea, which can be taken with oral medications, topical creams, or laser therapy. If you have post-workout flareups and want to prevent the recurrence of these conditions, you should take anti-inflammatory meds such as anti-inflammatory meds and anti-aging products, which may help reduce redness in your skin. https://www.foreo.com/mysa/rosacea-and-psoriasis-treatments/

Acne and working out

Working out may also cause acne, pimples and papules on your skin, especially if you have acne-prone skin. Sweat glands are located near hair follicles and when you sweat, the sebum mixes with dead skin cells and dirt, clogging pores. This can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or papules. If you have acne-prone skin, it is important to clean your face immediately after working out to prevent further breakouts. You should also avoid touching your face during your workout, as this can transfer bacteria and dirt from your hands to your face.

Hives, swelling, rashes

If you have sensitive skin, exercise may cause redness, itching, burning, or stinging sensations. In some cases, people with sensitive skin may also experience hives, swelling or rashes, or similar skin problems. If you have sensitive skin, it is important to choose gentle cleansers and moisturizers and avoid harsh scrubs or exfoliants. You should also always test new products on a small area of skin before using them all over your body. Also, if you have any concerns about how exercise might be affecting your skin, it’s best to consult with a dermatologist.

Working out in shared spaces

Working out in shared spaces can be very tricky if you are not careful enough. Shared spaces, such as gyms, yoga studios, and swimming pools, are breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi. These microorganisms can cause skin infections, such as athlete’s foot, fungal nails, and ringworm. If you share any workout equipment with others, be sure to wipe it down before and after use. You should also wear proper shoes to avoid coming into contact with these organisms. https://www.foreo.com/mysa/fitness-playlist-top-twenty-workout-songs/ It’s also important to shower as soon as possible after working out in a shared space. This will help remove any sweat, bacteria, or dirt that may be on your skin. You should also wear clean clothes to avoid re-infection.

Makeup and exercising

If you wear makeup, it’s important to make sure that it is non-comedogenic and won’t clog your pores. You should also avoid working out immediately after applying makeup, as this can cause your pores to become clogged. Instead, wait at least 30 minutes after applying makeup before starting your workout. In addition, be sure to remove all your makeup before working out, as sweat and dirt can mix with your makeup and cause breakouts.

Post-workout skincare

If you really want to experience the maximum and the best of exercising, especially when it comes to that famous "post-workout glow", taking care of your skin after training is one of the most important steps. After working out, it’s important to cleanse your skin to remove sweat, dirt, and bacteria. You should also use a light moisturizer to hydrate your skin and help prevent any irritation. [caption id="attachment_12779" align="aligncenter" width="904"] LUNA 3 plus is perfect as a tool for post-workout skincare because it delivers oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, eliminating toxins for a healthier complexion.[/caption] One of the best things you can do regarding proper post-workout cleansing is to try FOREO LUNA 3 plus. It’s the only beauty tech in the world that features thermo-cleansing and targeted microcurrent in one device. The ultra-soft silicone touchpoints remove 99.5% of impurities and are 35x more hygienic than nylon brushes. Cleanse, firm, and tighten your skin in a single routine. LUNA 3 plus features T-Sonic pulsations that gently massage the face to boost microcirculation. This delivers oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, eliminating toxins for a healthier complexion. 100% of users report more radiant skin, with 98% claiming their skin looks better.

Exercise!

After all, exercising has more benefits than just good-looking skin. It helps to improve your overall health, including your cardiovascular system, weight, sleep, and mental health. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start working out!

Get your LUNA 3 plus now!