It is no secret that acne is a skin condition that can sometimes baffle people. Seemingly super-healthy individuals start experiencing uncontrollable breakouts, your skin all of a sudden making you look unhealthy and affecting self-confidence. It is important to always treat your acne before it gets worse, leaving lifelong skin damage. What if we said that one way you can help your skin stay clear is through exercise? Here are some ways how exercise can help prevent acne:
1.) Stress Breakouts
In a stressful state, your body produces high quantities of a stress hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol causes body inflammation. When it is in elevated levels, cortisol suppresses the immune system making your body vulnerable to skin diseases. Furthermore, high cortisol levels cause acne because your body has to get rid of pathogens in other ways when the immune system is suppressed.
Physical exercise is known to reduce stress. Exercise produces endorphins. The brain produces these chemicals. They improve the ability to sleep and consequently reduce stress. Reduced stress means reduced cortisol levels. Low cortisol levels mean a working immune system. A working immune system results in the healing and balancing the body.
2.) Sweat It Out!
It is obvious that during exercise, most of our bodies are bound to sweat. Sweat is a form of temperature regulation. During exercise, your body temperatures increase, which triggers the sweat glands to keep our body temperature stable. The brain’s hypothalamus goes off, triggering the glands to release sweat. Sweat is a salty mixture of sodium chloride and water. As the sweat leaves the skin’s pores, it takes with it body heat as it evaporates. Consequently, body temperature is regulated.
Sweating opens up the skin’s pores, allowing some of the dirt and oil congested in them to escape and wash out. This can help prevent breakouts that may result from clogged pores. However, it is important to ensure that you shower immediately after your exercise to wash away debris left on our skin. Waiting too long can re-clogs your pores increasing your acne rather than reducing it. Wear cotton clothing and this is also the perfect time to apply your acne skincare products.
3.) Circulate to Oxygenate and Rejuvenate.
Exercise causes the blood vessels to dilate which increases blood flow. Since the blood is the main conduit for transportation of nutrients in your body, the more the blood circulates, the more nutrients and oxygen reach your skin cells. Furthermore, blood circulation carries away metabolic wastes, toxins, and pathogens for elimination from the body.
Exercise increases blood circulation which in turn increases detoxification and helps heals the skin of acne.
4.) Excess Weight Wreaks Havoc on the Hormones
Every change in life is associated with hormonal changes. With an influx of hormones, your skin can break out. Exercise regulates your weight and in turn, hormonal side effects can be reduced.
Even with exercise, it is important to maintain proper hygiene and follow a healthy skincare regime. Failing to do so will cause an accumulation of dirt and toxins on your skin’s pores which ultimately allows acne bacteria to flourish.
With these tips to take charge of your health and well-being, you may have found a surefire way to help your acne improve 100%.