Everyone knows exercise is good for your heart, your weight and your mood. What gets far less attention is what it does for your skin. A consistent training habit is one of the most underrated skin treatments there is, and it's free. Here's what's actually happening beneath the surface when you work out regularly.
Improved Circulation
Exercise gets your heart pumping, which in turn, improves blood circulation throughout your body, including your skin. When your skin receives more blood, it receives more oxygen and nutrients, which are essential for healthy skin. Improved circulation also helps to flush out toxins and waste products from your skin cells, leaving your skin looking brighter and healthier.
Reduced Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural response of the body to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can lead to various health problems, including skin issues such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, which can help to alleviate skin problems associated with inflammation. Exercise has been found to reduce the levels of inflammatory markers in the body, including cytokines, which are known to contribute to skin inflammation.
Reduced Stress
Stress is a common trigger for various skin conditions, including acne and eczema. Exercise is a natural stress-buster and can help to reduce stress levels in the body. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals that can help to reduce stress and anxiety. By reducing stress levels in the body, exercise can help to improve the overall health of your skin.
Improved Skin Elasticity
As we age, our skin loses elasticity, which can lead to sagging and wrinkles. Regular exercise can help to improve skin elasticity by increasing collagen production. Collagen is a protein that is essential for healthy skin and helps to keep the skin firm and supple. Exercise has been shown to increase the production of collagen in the skin, which can help to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Improved Sleep
Sleep is essential for healthy skin. During sleep, the body repairs and regenerates skin cells, and lack of sleep can lead to dull and tired-looking skin. Regular exercise has been shown to improve the quality and duration of sleep, which can help to improve the overall health of your skin. When you exercise, your body temperature rises, and when it cools down, it signals to the body that it’s time to sleep. This can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer, which can help to improve the health of your skin.
Reduced Risk of Skin Cancer
Regular exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of various types of cancer, including skin cancer. Exercise helps to boost the immune system, which can help to fight off cancer cells. Exercise also helps to reduce oxidative stress, which is a leading cause of cellular damage and cancer development. By reducing the risk of skin cancer, exercise can help to keep your skin healthy and prevent premature aging.
To sum it up
Better circulation, less inflammation, lower stress, firmer skin, deeper sleep. That's a lot of return for something you should arguably be doing anyway, and we've covered the post-workout habits that stop exercise causing breakouts separately. If motivation is the sticking point, a fitness rewards app like FitCoin pays you in wellness brand discounts for hitting your step goals, which makes the habit easier to keep.
One final note: if you train outdoors, wear sunscreen. A daily run in the sun without SPF will age your skin faster than the exercise can improve it.