Does Exercise Make Your Skin Glow? Answered By Experts

Radiant skin. Something that almost all of us want. 

While good nutrition, adequate rest, and proper skin care are all essential for healthy skin, there’s one thing that can’t be ignored. And that is exercise.

In this blog, we’ll tell you exactly how exercise makes your skin glow.

6 Ways Exercise Affects The Skin

Here’s how exercise makes your skin glow.

1. Increases oxygen flow

Exercise causes an increase in your heart rate meaning your blood gets pumped around your body faster. This in turn leads to the dilation of your blood vessels resulting in oxygen and nutrient-rich blood rushing to your skin.

Now you know why you get rosy-red after your workout!

2. Increases Collagen production 

Know what collagen is? It’s a type of protein that provides structure and strength to various tissues in our bodies, including the skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Think of it as a scaffold that supports the structure and elasticity of our skin, making it firm and youthful-looking. 

As we age, we start losing collagen and end up looking like this 😝

Lucky for us, research shows that aerobic exercise such as cycling can help increase collagen levels in the skin matrix, thus reducing wrinkles and making our skin appear tighter.

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3. Improves mitochondrial health

Every cell in our body has these tiny energy-producing structures called mitochondria that produce a chemical called ATP.

Apart from being the primary fuel for all cellular activities, ATP is crucial for your skin as it helps repair skin damage and make collagen. But as we age, our mitochondria start producing less ATP.

But it’s not all bad news.

A 2019 study published in the Annual Review of Physiology suggests that exercise could help in reversing these changes and maintain mitochondrial health!!

4. Removes toxins

Does sweating make your skin glow? Definitely. 

Exercise leads to sweating which makes your skin more permeable, allowing toxins to be released through the sweat glands and onto the skin's surface. 

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5. Pumps up endorphins

Another way exercise makes your skin glow? Endorphins!

Yep, these happy hormones that flood your blood right after your workout not only put you in a great mood but are amazing for your skin too.

How? 

Endorphins help counteract cortisol (stress hormone) and adrenaline, thus reducing your stress levels that have been shown to aggravate skin disorders including psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis, etc.

Cortisol is also known to increase your blood sugar levels which leads to skin aging (due to the sugar damaging the collagen by binding to it).

6. Promotes better sleep

Exercise also helps you sleep better. Better sleep equals more time for your body to repair your damaged skin cells and produce new ones.

Better sleep also means lower inflammation levels and thus a reduction in skin issues such as acne and eczema.

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How long does it take for exercise to improve skin?

Even 30 minutes of aerobic activity a day can lead to healthier, younger-looking skin.

Best types of exercise for glowing skin

Cardiovascular exercises

All forms of cardio exercises can improve your skin complexion by helping increase the blood flow to your skin. Pick from any cardio activity such as running, cycling, dancing, HIIT, etc. 

Resistance training

Research suggests that resistance and endurance training are the best ways to improve your cells’ mitochondrial function and thus allow for collagen production. Strength training can also help tone and firm the muscles underneath the skin, giving it a more lifted and toned appearance.

Yoga

Yoga helps reduce stress, increase relaxation, and promote better sleep, which can all have a positive impact on the health of your skin. 

Exercise tips for glowing skin

1. Do not exercise outdoors in the hot sun as this could lead to premature aging, sunburn, and skin cancer. 
2. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when exercising outdoors.
3. Avoid wearing makeup while exercising as it can mix with sweat and oil, leading to clogged pores.
4. Take a bath around 20 minutes after your workout to get rid of sweat and other dirt on your skin.

If you have pre-existing skin conditions take the following special precautions when exercising.

1. If you suffer from rosacea, try to keep your body temperature steady while exercising to prevent the aggravation of pimples. Avoid exercising outdoors in the heat.
2. Don’t stay in your sweaty clothes for a long time after your workout. This can cause skin conditions such as acne and eczema to flare up. 

Conclusion

We hope you now have one more good reason to exercise. 

Start exercising today and watch your skin sparkle!