How does exercise help to keep my skin healthy?

Ben Kaminsky

Dermatology

Moderate exercise boosts circulation and delivery of nutrients to skin cells, helping to detoxify the body. Exercise also boosts oxygen and other nutrients to the skin, helping to increase collagen fiber regeneration.

The benefits of exercise for your skin continue after you stop moving—the increased relaxation you feel after exercise shows on the face with lessened muscle tension and fewer worry lines. The skin color is also improved after exercise because of the increase in blood flow to the skin.

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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD

Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease)

Exercise promotes healthy skin in several ways. For starters, getting your heart beating faster by taking a brisk walk or playing tennis increases your circulation. That means your blood is delivering a greater amount of oxygen and nutrients to your skin. A hard workout also makes you sweat, which helps unclog pores and may make you less likely to develop acne. Regular exercise can help you to feel more at ease and relaxed; being stressed out produces hormones that cause acne breakouts. Just be sure to wash with soap and water soon after exercising, since lingering sweat on the skin can make acne worse.

RealAge

Working out improves circulation and blood flow, which gives skin a healthy glow. "When exercise turns you pink, you're dilating all the blood vessels in your skin and washing the area with nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood," explains Ellen Marmur, MD, associate professor of dermatology and genetics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Plus, research suggests exercise helps skin repair itself and may even protect against skin cancer. Dr. Marmur's prescription: 30 minutes of aerobic activity three or four times a week. Just be sure to wear sunscreen if you do your workouts outdoors.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Healthy Skin

Staying out of the sun and away from tanning beds is the easiest way to get great-looking skin. The suns UVB and UVA rays cause skin damage, which is prematurely aging, and skin cancer. Every day you should wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which blocks UVB and UVA rays, with an SPF of 15 or higher. Reapply at least every two hours while outdoors. For a dewy glow, use skin-care products with 10 ingredients or less to reduce irritation, use moisturizer and feed your skin from within. Dark chocolate and antioxidant-rich foods such as cantaloupe, citrus fruits, blueberries and leafy greens improve the skin’s appearance.

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