Everyone wants to retain vital, glowing skin as the years pass. Almost all of us know that a good skincare routine is essential to keeping skin healthy and youthful. What fewer people are aware of is how exercise and good skin health relate to each other. Working out can have both good and bad effects on your skin.
Increased heart rate means more oxygen to the skin.
On the positive side of the ledger, working out raises your heart rate, sending more blood coursing through your blood vessels. This results in your skin getting more oxygen and nutrients, both of which are critical to skin health in the long-term. In the short-term, an increased heart rate will temporarily give you skin that glowing, healthy look. Finally, exercise is an amazing way to relieve stress. Stress can contribute to skin problems such as breakouts.
Sweating can irritate sensitive skin.
However, it’s not all good news. While working out is generally fantastic for you, it can have some negative effect on your skin. Sweating and an increased body temperature can easily irritate your skin. People with sensitive skin, such as anyone who has eczema, or anyone with acne problems, are particularly likely to face problems.
That’s why having a good skincare routine for both before and after your workout session is important. Prior to exercise, you should remove your makeup. Sweating opens up your pores. When combined with makeup, the result is clogged pores. If you are exercising outdoors during the day, you should apply sunscreen. The sun’s UV rays are terrible for your skin and increase risk for skin cancer.
After a workout, you need to get rid of the sweat on your skin. Sweat can clog pores and cause skin irritation, and is a particular problem for anyone prone to acne or any other skin sensitivity issue. Gently wash your face to remove the sweat covering your skin. Only afterwards should you reapply your makeup.
Everyone wants to look their best, and having good skin is vital to looking and feeling good. That’s why it’s important to understand the relationship between exercise and skin health. While exercise can potentially have some bad effect on your skin, it doesn’t take much to avoid these ill effects. With a little care, you can ensure your workouts are only beneficial for your skin.