Jan 11th 2021
The new year is officially upon us, and with it come the new years’ resolutions. If you’re like many of us, you’re ushering in 2021 with a resolve to spend more time exercising. We may not be able to spend time at the gym just yet, but thanks to at-home workouts and fitness gear, incorporating exercise into your routine is easier than ever. Plus, your skin will thank you for it.
It’s no secret that exercise is good for you. Regular exercise is not only beneficial to your cardiovascular system, but it gives your mental health the much-needed boost it often craves. But that’s not all. Scientists and physicians suggest that a regular exercise routine promotes healthy circulation and helps keep skin healthy.
The increase in blood flow experienced during exercise provides a great deal of benefits to your body. In addition to carrying oxygen throughout the body to nourish cells (including skin cells), blood flow helps remove waste products and free radicals. Think of a good run as a way of “washing your skin from the inside,” says Dr. Ellen Marmur of Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Another benefit is that the endorphins released by exercise can relieve stress, improving stress-related skin conditions such as eczema and acne. Increased sweat can still trigger flare-ups, though, so be sure to apply moisturizer to serve as barrier to protect your skin.
Clearly, exercise is beneficial in a lot of ways. But don’t go thinking your workout is a one-way ticket to perfect skin. It’s still important to maintain your regular skincare regimen in addition to your fitness routine. If your exercise takes you outside, make sure you’re wearing sunscreen especially during peak sun exposure time.
So change out of your “stay-at-home” yoga pants and into some actual yoga pants, because it’s time to whip yourself, and your skin, into shape.