Maintaining a regular exercise or physical activity routine provides many benefits that are well-known and reiterated at large, both in and outside fitness circles. The reiteration is meant to motivate many more to embark on a journey of healthy living. However, a lesser-spoken benefit of exercising is the positive impact it has on your skin.
Most of us would have noticed, without giving it much thought, how the skin glows after a workout session. From boosting circulation to flushing out toxins, exercise has both direct and indirect effects on the skin.
The skin reflects the state of the body and mind, says Dr Smriti Naswa Singh, consultant dermatologist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai. “Regular exercise promotes overall health, which can be evident on the skin,” she adds.
Blood circulation and skin health
Exercise elevates blood circulation; the blood vessels dilate while working out, increasing their flexibility and boosting the heart’s efficiency. The increased blood circulation positively impacts the skin as well. “Your body needs blood circulation to remove toxins, just like every other organ that depends on it for oxygen,” says Dr Singh. “Higher blood circulation leads to better skin turnover — the process by which new, healthy skin cells replace the old, damaged ones, allowing the skin’s outermost layer to rejuvenate regularly.”
Improved blood circulation helps deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells more effectively. The antioxidants (primarily derived from the nutrients), which reach the skin through the blood, help protect the cells from damage caused by free radicals generated during circulation.
According to a review published in the journal Pharmacognosy Review, free radical damage can be prevented with sufficient antioxidant defense. Free radicals have a significant impact on aging, and consuming the right amount of antioxidant-rich foods may improve one’s quality of life.
Detoxifying benefits of sweat during exercise
The gut system, along with the kidneys, lungs and excretory organs, are responsible for eliminating waste from the body. However, the skin also plays a crucial role in this process. “It is common for people with diabetes or obesity to get pustules on their skin. It will not occur if you exercise regularly because exercising causes the skin to expel toxins,” elaborates Dr Singh.
Some people often complain about the amount and odor of their sweat. As per Dr Singh, a sedentary lifestyle combined with an unhealthy diet are the main reasons for this problem. Those who are inactive are more likely to have bacteria accumulate in their body folds, which can generate an unpleasant odor when they sweat. “You will not have bad odor while sweating if you exercise frequently and eat a well-balanced diet. This indicates that your sweat is helping in the removal of toxins. On the other hand, sweat will smell bad if you are inactive and overweight,” she explains.
The stress and skin health connection
According to a research paper published in the journal Clinics in Dermatology, skin conditions, especially the more prevalent ones like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (eczema) and alopecia areata (hair loss), are frequently related to psychological issues like anxiety and mood disorders. Stress is usually regarded as the most common cause for the onset, aggravation and recurrence of several skin disorders.
Neurotransmitters such as endorphins and enkephalins, the feel-good hormones, are released during physical activities and regular exercise. Along with reducing stress levels, exercise also reduces the possibility of stress-induced skin ailments.
Balancing hormones to prevent skin conditions
Hormonal imbalances are a primary cause of many skin-related problems. “Hormonal imbalance leads to issues like early balding, hirsutism [excessive growth of male-pattern hair in women after puberty], stubborn acne, early graying of hair, etc. Exercise regularizes the hormone levels by controlling body fat and increasing lean muscle mass,” shares Dr Singh. “Regular exercise either prevents these skin conditions from happening or, in the event that they do, accelerates the healing process.”
Managing skin issues triggered by other conditions
People who have diabetes may develop pustules or recurrent boils on their skin. Obesity causes stretch marks, while acanthosis nigricans — a condition where the underarms or neck turns black — is caused by insulin resistance. Lifestyle disorders like these can manifest as skin conditions. “Once you manage such disorders through a healthy lifestyle and exercise, it, in turn, prevents you from getting skin issues associated with them,” says Dr Singh.
Takeaways
- Exercise promotes better blood circulation, subsequently enhancing skin turnover. Additionally, antioxidants present in the blood also shield skin cells from harm caused by free radicals produced during circulation.
- Exercise induces sweating and aids in the body’s removal of toxins.
- While stress causes skin problems, exercise releases feel-good neurotransmitters like enkephalins and endorphins, which counteract the risk of developing stress-induced skin ailments.
- By regularizing hormone levels and managing lifestyle disorders, regular exercise helps keep skin conditions at bay.
