As we dive deeper into our New Year, New You Blog Series, it’s important to realize the role our habits play in skin health. Today’s post discusses the impact that exercise has on the skin. Many people make big resolutions regarding exercise with a focus on losing weight. Perhaps you fall into that category. If so, awesome! If not, keep reading anyway; perhaps by the end you’ll be in that category too.
Before we get started, here’s a brief video to explain the types of exercise you can engage in on a regular basis:
Whether you do weight training, cardio training or interval training doesn’t matter. What does matter: Exercise (regardless of type) can give you beautiful skin. It does this through a variety things that happens in your body during a workout.
1. Sweating Out Toxins
The body has a few ways of ridding itself of toxins. Processes that happen in the kidneys and liver go unseen. However, the skin also plays a vital part in the natural detoxification system of the body. When you engage in physical activity, your body responds by sweating. This mechanism is a way to rid your skin of breakout-causing toxins. Just remember: wash your face after you workout or those toxins may stick around and cause a breakout anyway.
2. Skin Receives More Oxygen and Blood Flow
Want to get the blood flowing? Give exercise a try. That increased blood flow carries oxygen and nutrients to the skin that improve your its overall health. This works as a great support system by helping the moisturizers and other skincare products you use bring optimal results.
3. Reduce Stress, Reduce Flareups
Studies have shown that stress not only worsens acne, but it can also trigger flare-ups of psoriasis. Stress suppresses the body’s natural healing ability and skyrockets hormone production, which is a recipe for skin health disaster. Fortunately, stress has a strong reputation in its ability to keep your stress at a minimum. Keep your stress-related breakouts away by hitting the gym a few times a week this upcoming year.
4. Get that Beautiful, Natural Glow
Natural oils produced by your skin give you a supple, healthy glow. When you exercise, your skin begins to produce more of these oils. An increased production gives your skin a natural glow all year around. So, it doesn’t matter if you live in a cold part of your country, a bit of exercise can having you glowing beautifully in no time.
So, now that you know there are benefits other than losing a few inches around the waist, are you inclined to workout more this year? If so, comment below with how you plan on incorporating a workout routine into your life this year.