Introduction
Acne is an inflammation of the skin and it is universal civilization which normally is prominent in adolescence and young adulthood. There is a wealth of things that cause acne, including genes, hormones, and diet, but recent evidence reveals that exercising is either a contributing factor to the condition, or an effective method of preventing or treating the problem. However, as with any aspect of health, the impact that exercise has on the skin is not universal, and is instead rather multifaceted.
In this blog post, I will be explaining whether working out can help acne, how exercise affects the skin and most importantly how to ensure that your workouts are not causing you more acne related issues.
How Does Acne Form?
To go straight to how exercise maybe affect acne, it is important first to illustrate the causes of acne. Acne is primarily caused by four factors:
- Overproduction of Sebum (Oil): Sebum, is oily matter excreted on the skin and is a natural by-product of the body. However, when produced in large amount, it will combine with the dead skin cells, which will block the skin pores.
- Clogged Pores: When there is accumulation of percentage of both dead skin and sebum this clogs the pores and cause bacteria to be produced hence the acne.
- Bacterial Growth: C acne (formerly known as Propionibacterium acnes) bacteria that are resident in the skin pores become active to form pimples as a result of the congestion of the skin follicles.
- Inflammation: It is due to inflammation of the skin caused by immune response to the bacteria as well as blocked skin pore.
The Connection Between Exercise and Acne
There are number of ways that can support the thinking that exercise can in fact help acne and this is because of the following changes that occur in the body as a result of exercise. Here are some key factors to consider:
1. Improved Blood Circulation
This is because during the exercise, circulation of blood is increased and the skin cells receive all the nutrients they need for survival. blood circulation brings increased oxygen and nutrition to the dermal layer and helps in wiping off of waste products. This is considered to assist in a gradually improving complexion since the skin’s original hue will appear after elimination of toxins.
2. Reduced Stress Levels
Stress is considered one of the most common causes of acne because it leads to an increase of cortisol production, known as the stress hormone. High cortisol can cause skin to produce more oil and that oil may build up and block the pores.” Physical activity should also be effective in reducing cortisol levels because during exercise endorphins – positive mood regulating hormones – are also released into the bloodstream. This is because many people find that exercising can help to dramatically reduce stress-related breakouts.
3. Sweat and Skin Detoxification
The first of these is sweat, with it people believe that if we must sweat when working out it was to expel toxins from our skin hence giving it a natural glow. Sweating can be helpful in evacuating the pores of debris but it is very important to wash the skin afterward to avoid clogging of the pores through the forming of a mixture between sweat, dirt and oil which are likely to cause acne.
4. Regulating Hormonal Balance
Testosterones cause an increase in sebum secretion and thus leads to formation of pimples that are associated with acne. There are many studies that show that exercise has its regulative effect on hormones as it is responsible for overall hormonal balance. Which can be very helpful to women with hormonal acne, in general, which worsens at certain phases of the menstrual cycle.
Does Exercise Ever Worsen Acne?
While exercise has many potential benefits for the skin, certain aspects of working out can aggravate acne if not managed properly:
1. Excessive Sweating
Sweating can get rid of blockages in pores, yet, if the sweat stays on the skin for a long time, it combines with bacteria and oils that cause skin breakouts. To avoid this, it is important to wash the skin after exercising
2. Friction and Pressure (Acne Mechanica)
Scratching caused by movement against tight wear, such as Lycra form-fitting athletic wear, head bands, or bicycle helmets can lead to Acne mechanica. This is fus in athletes especially one who wears uniforms that confine sweat and chafe against the skin.
3. Not Cleansing Properly Post-Workout
Failure to apply, wash or tone your skin immediately after your workout triggers accumulation of sweat, dirt and oils on your skin which may block the pores. It is particularly important to make sure that the skin is clean after training so they do not aggravate acne.
4. Overdoing It
Another factor that can lead to the increase in the production of cortisol is exercising beyond your body’s capacity or straining your body in any way since it increases cortisol level and this leads to breakouts. Just like every coin has its head and tail, it is also advisable to take a break but not too much to flex your body muscles again.
How to Prevent Post-Workout Acne
If you’re prone to acne and worried that exercise might trigger more breakouts, follow these tips to ensure your fitness routine supports your skin health:
1. Wear Breathable, Loose-Fitting Clothes
Wear comfortable loose fitting clothes material which can be synthetic material or any material that can absorb the moisture during exercise. Wearing fitted clothes also drags sweat and bacteria on the skin and hence results in rashes and acne.
2. Wash Your Face Before and After Workouts
Removing make-up and oils in advance of exercising prevents a combination of sweat, oil, and dead skin cells from clogging the pores of the face. Then to minimize the accumulation of bacteria into your skin, cleanse once again after you have worked up a sweat.
3. Avoid Touching Your Face
People tend to pleasure themselves by using their hands or a towel during exercise but this spreads bacteria on the skin. In its place, use clean, soft cloth and be very gentle on the face of your skin.
4. Shower Immediately After Exercise
Ideally, practicing showering right after you are through with aerobic exercises, there is a way to remove sweat, oils and bacteria. This is particularly so if you perspire a lot or if you have oily skin and are susceptible to acne.
5. Choose Non-Comedogenic Products
For skin care creams and lotions, one should prefer the non-acnegenic or non-comedogenic products which should not block the skin pore. This is especially the case when following skincare after working out, as you do not want to disrupt your skin with products containing chemical on fresh skin.
The Best Types of Exercise for Acne-Prone Skin
Certain types of exercise may be more beneficial for managing acne than others:
1. Cardiovascular Exercise
Cardiac exercise includes cardiovascular aerobics, running, cycling and swimming because these exercises stimulate the blood and oxygen supply to the skin cells. This assists in ridding the skin of toxins and keeps the skin looking bright and healthy.
2. Yoga and Meditation
All these practices are perfect for managing stress, which turns out to be the primary cause of acne. Yoga, in particular, influences hormone levels, and meditation teaches people to stay calm and stress-free.
3. Strength Training
Although strength training is favorable in abetting the building of muscles, one needs to be careful so that they don’t cause carry over friction from weights or gym equipment. To avoid acne mechanica it’s advised to use clean towels, and one should wipe the gym gear frequently.
Real-Life Experiences: Does Working Out Help Acne?
A lot of individuals have given personal experiences with regard to the effects of exercise on skin health or acne. Some of the benefits of the programme include; this means stress and blood circulation on the skin is improved. In other cases, such a performance of skincare results in breakouts for some people due to post-workout regime scalp trouble.
For instance, a study carried out in the Journal of Dermatology showed that people who had moderate exercise got fewer breakouts compared to those who exercised infrequently. But if they failed to wash their face after the exercises, many of them noticed their skin worsen.
Conclusion: Keep Moving, But Cleanse Properly
It is therefore prudent to engage in some form of exercise regime with the knowledge that in as much as it helps in dealing with acne, skin has to be well protected. The secret is to wash regularly, stick to fabrics that let the skin breathe, and wash your skin once you are sweating. If done right, exercising is achievable without having to worry about worsening acne conditions all over your body.