Skin Workouts
Ever wonder why your skin glows long after a good sweat sesh? Hey, it's Sarah here and this is a topic that makes me so excited- Fitness & Skincare. When Im not grabbing coffee’s or booking your appointments here at PHI, I'm teaching barre classes over at Barre Belle. Anyways, we all know exercise is essential for a healthy body & mind, but here is one more reason to get on that bike or hit the barre.....It is good for your skin too!!!
Your skin is the body's largest organ and it can actually be a good reflection of what is going on inside of you. Ever notice after a big sugar binge, you have a break out? Or stressed about your job or that mid-term and notice an eczema flare up? Again no coincidence! Why not do something great for your skin, your body and mind? Exercise can have such a positive impact on your well being, mood, physical health and as I explain further here; your skin. When your heart rate goes up, your blood vessels begin to expand (vasodilation) to pump more blood around your body. When you work out, your blood is pumping more, which improves the circulation of oxygen and nutrients throughout your body and your skin, which ultimately leads to that post-workout glow. These nutrients all help repair sun damage and free radical build up (free radicals are harmful particles from the environment that can accelerate the appearance of aging). For further protection from these try Skin Medica’s TNS Essential Serum.
According to Vogue Australia, all those jumping jacks and fast jogs also promote the production of fibroblasts, the skin cells responsible for collagen. Collagen is an amazing protein that is often associated with glowing, plump, gorgeous skin. It provides strong, yet flexible framework to your skin and gives it that bounce back effect. If you don’t like to work out, this alone should be a convincing factor to finally go hit the pavement for that hour jog. In case you are still not convinced, exercise even reduces stress and inflammation in the body. It does this by lowering the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol can cause skin conditions such as acne and eczema because the excess cortisol encourages sebum production, which in turn causes blockages in the pores and collagen destruction. However, you need to find that work/rest balance as too much stress can actually have the opposite effect. I always have the best sleeps when my body is physically exhausted. Exercise can lead to a better nights sleep and the more you sleep, the better your skin can repair and rebuild cells over night.
Sweat is not a bad thing for your skin either because it helps get rid of the dirt and oil residing in your pores. As we start to exercise, our pores dilate and the sweat flushes out those acne and black head causing irritants. Just remember to wash your face right after your work out so that dirt and oil do not get trapped in your pores all over again. It is also helpful to wash your face prior to a workout, as no one wants foundation sinking into those open pores! If a sink to wash up is not available, I like using micellar water wipes I just keep in my gym bag or even ZO Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads do the trick.
Now always remember your ZO Skin Health sunscreen when exercising outdoors and to rehydrate with water during and after you workout. Healthy, glowing skin loves lots of water. Hope to see you in the gym or at the barre soon!