It’s the New Year and who has a resolution to work out more? Ok, it’s cliché but I definitely have to raise my hand on that one. Exercising is one of those things we all know is great for our bodies but sometimes hard to motivate to do. So I began thinking (as a way to delay / avoid working out) – how about the skin – is exercising good for our skin? Well the answer is yes as long as you follow these simple tips.
Workout Glow
As much as I fight it – after I work out I feel great and my skin actually glows.
So what happens to our skin right after we work out? According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Edidiong Kaminska this glow is created by:
“an increase of blood flow to all organs, including our largest one, the skin. “This provides oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells and clears impurities from the skin, creating a post-workout glow.”
I wish I could replicate this look all the time!
What other skin care benefits does a good fitness session provide? Well, exercising also improves our skin’s appearance through stress management and sleep regulation. And According to the American Academy of Dermatology when you work out you burn calories which can help reduce anxiety which helps your skin look its best:
“it can decrease the likelihood or severity of skin conditions like acne, eczema, or psoriasis, since stress can play a role in those conditions. And when you stick to a manageable workout schedule, you tend to sleep better. Plus, with more hours of shut eye, those pesky dark eye circles are less common too.”
Yes there are so many benefits to exercising – I should just do it more 
.
Clean that Sweat
There are some possible negative effects to your skin – but these can easily be sidestepped. It all has to do with your sweat. Sweating is a good release but it can clog pores, causing acne and other skin issues especially if wearing makeup or other breakout causing products. But it’s not hard to alleviate.
So here’s a few other simple tips to keep your skin looking great when you work out:
- Wash Your Face – or shower to clear the skin of sweat, oils, and bacteria after exercising.
- Skip the Makeup – according to Dr. Kaminska “sweat mixed in with makeup is much more damaging to skin, because your pores are "clogged" before the workout even begins.” So clean your face with a cleanser before you hit the gym.
- Don’t Skip the Sunscreen – if you’re heading outdoors to train, make sure you apply sunscreen and practice other sun protection measures. For example maybe run at sunrise or sunset when the sun is not as strong. Don’t forget your hat and sunglasses. Protecting your skin from the sun will prevent a whole host of problems like sun damage, skin aging, and skin cancer.
These small things can make a big difference for your skin in the long run.
Skin Care Smarts
So now is the perfect time of year to start a new workout regimen, just make sure you think about your skin before and after. For even more skin care recommendations check out our Skin Care series.
