Benefits of Exercise for Skin Care
We all know that exercise is generally beneficial to your health and well-being, but how does it help skin care? Exercise alone is not going to give you clear skin, but the benefits of exercise can help your skin heal faster, increase the effectiveness antioxidants that combat acne, and even help prevent some of the causes of acne.
Exercise can enhance healing by increasing your blood circulation. With better circulation, your body is able to get red and white blood cells where they need to be faster, allowing for more efficient healing from wounds. The enhanced circulation also allows for vitamins and other nutrients to be delivered where they need to be faster, so that your skin cells can get essential nutrients needed to combat bacteria and other toxins when they threaten to build up. Thus, circulation largely effects you body’s “reaction time” to infection. Regular exercise can help ensure a healthy rate of circulation.
Keeping in the habit of exercising regularly is also good for your metabolism, and we know from vitamin B5 how much metabolism can effect your skin. A higher metabolism enables your body to more efficiently metabolize the skin oil (sebum) which builds up in your pores and causes most cases of acne in the first place. Again, a high metabolism may not be enough on its own (since your body still needs the “fuel” of metabolism in the form of coenzyme-A), but by having a healthy metabolism you ensure that your body is able to efficiently break down that sebum when the right nutrients are present.
Then there is the well-established link between exercise and sleep. Aerobic exercise in particular is beneficial in helping many people get to sleep easier and sleep more soundly. Why does this matter for acne sufferers? Because sleep rejuvenates your body. Much of your body’s healing processes go on during sleep, and poor sleep habits (or sleeping disorders) can cripple your ability to combat illness and infection. Lack of sleep contributes to stress and numerous other health problems, including acne. Exercise is a healthy way to improve your sleep levels and make sure your body is able to effectively prevent and heal from breakouts.
Of course, related to sleep is the direct problem of stress, which is known to contribute to acne. The role of exercise in stress relief is obvious, and the added benefits to your sleep levels also help your body to manage stress. For your skin and your overall health, it’s a good idea to do some strenuous exercise every day.
