You can generally tell how healthy someone is by looking at their skin. A lot of that bright complexion everyone wants is the product of good blood flow.
Skin is the human body’s largest organ and there are several things that can contrinute to skin aging, including inflammation and stress.Stress is known to trigger and exacerbate acne and excema, compromising the skin’s barrier and making it dry and sensitive, leading to aged-looking skin.
Anything that combats inflammation and protects collagen helps skin age better. Exercise can help decrease the level of the stress hormone, cortisol, and keep the body’s organs (including your skin) in fighting form. Exercise also strengthens the skin’s ability to defend against conditions like psoriasis and more .
When working to increase blood flow through physical activity, skin cells are nourished and revitalized. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to working cells throughout the body, including the skin. Blood flow also helps to carry away waste products, such as free radicals, a common source of inflammation.
Sweating not only feels good, but it also opens up your pores and works to help release impurities. Soon after your workout, be sure to cleanse! Sweat itself doesn’t cause acne, but if you don’t wash, bacteria on the skin can start fermenting and you may clog and irritate the pores.
And when exercising outdoors, apply a sweatproof sunscreen. You’ll be helping your skin in more ways than one!
Enjoy the benefits of exercise for your mind, body and skin.