It’s no secret that exercise is essential for good health on many levels, but you might not know that it can also help improve your skin. While some people with inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, might worry about post-workout flare-ups, regular exercise regulates the body’s stress response and can help calm your skin. Whether you have chronic skin issues or none, regular workouts are an important part of your men’s skincare routine and overall self-care plan. That said, make sure to check with your doctor if you’re starting a new exercise routine with any kind of pre-existing skin or health condition. 

If you’re in an exercise rut and need a boost of motivation, know that committing to regular workouts can help you meet your skincare goals. There are no quick fixes when it comes to lasting health and better skin, but making powerful, meaningful changes each day will help you move closer to the results you want most. A healthy diet plus exercise, hydration, and a daily skincare routine can transform how you feel both inside and out. Read on to learn more about how exercise and sweating can help improve the look and feel of your skin. 

Blood Flow + That Post-Workout Glow

The beneficial link between exercise and skin has everything to do with circulation. 

Working out helps pump your blood through your body more powerfully, boosting nourishment and detoxification throughout your skin cells. Plus, research shows that regular workouts have a profound anti-aging effect on the skin, causing it to sag and crease much more slowly than the skin of people who don’t exercise. 

How Sweating Is A Bonus For Healthy Skin Goals

Sweating is how the body cools down during and after exertion. Some research suggests that sweating during exercise may have detoxifying effects for the body overall, and it may also offer unique benefits for your skin. 

Sweating cools and moisturizes the skin, and it may also help kill harmful bacteria on the skin’s surface while promoting anti-aging effects. Building up a sweat each time you exercise not only boosts your cardiovascular health, it can also help revitalize the look and feel of your skin. 

Make sure to shower and wash your face as soon as you finish working out to avoid clogged pores and breakouts––you don’t want all that bacteria and grime sitting on your skin for too long. Further, sweat contains sodium, urea, and ammonia that can irritate your skin and exacerbate eczema, so scrub your skin post workout ASAP.

A Caveat for Outdoor Workout Enthusiasts

While exercise does wonders in terms of oxygen flow to the skin, collagen production, cell growth, and overall anti-aging, too much sun exposure causes skin damage, full stop. 

Even if you jog in December in Brooklyn, you still need sunblock every day of the year to protect your skin. Apply sunblock liberally after cleansing your face 15 minutes before heading outside, and reapply every two hours when you sweat for maximum protection. 

Also, remember that since your body loses fluids when you sweat, it’s important to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workouts. If you’re not sure how much water you need, aim to drink half of your body weight in ounces every day to keep your body and skin well hydrated.