Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so it stands to reason that taking care of it for optimal health is of utmost importance. But did you know that the same cardiovascular exercise that helps you maintain a healthy weight, tone your muscles, and give you more energy can also help your skin look its best? Read on to find out how aerobic workouts can give you a glowing complexion.
1. The Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise on the Skin
Physical Activity Decreases Skin Aging
Exercise can be beneficial for healthy skin. People who exercise regularly are more likely to have softer, firmer skin and less wrinkles. This is due to the increased oxygen and nutrients in the blood circulation that working out boosts. Additionally, exercising increases the production of collagen, the building block for skin structure and elasticity.
Skin Hydration.
Regular physical activity also helps to increase the hydration of the outer layers of skin, making it look healthier and preventing premature aging. Exercise promotes better circulation, which in turn helps to improve the delivery of water and oxygen to the cells in the skin. Exercise also increases the production of sweat, which can help to rid the skin of toxins that can contribute to premature skin aging.
Decreased Stress Levels.
Exercise can also help to decrease stress levels. High levels of stress can lead to an increase in cortisol levels, which has been shown to contribute to signs of aging on the skin, such as wrinkles and sagging. Exercise helps to reduce cortisol levels, helping to reduce the stresses that can cause skin aging.
- Physical activity can promote healthier skin by:
- Increasing the oxygen and nutrients in the blood circulation
- Boosting the production of collagen
- Increasing the hydration of the outer layers of skin
- Ridding the skin of toxins
- Reducing levels of cortisol
- Promoting better circulation
Exercising can help to improve the health of the skin, reducing the signs of aging. Regular physical activity can help to keep the skin hydrated and reduce levels of stress, resulting in a more youthful-looking complexion.
2. Exercise Regimens That Enhance Skin Health
Yoga: Many people may be surprised to learn that yoga can be beneficial to skin health. Exercises that focus on breathing, stretching, and mindfulness can help bring oxygen-rich blood to the face, which helps in detoxification and subsequent skin repair. These exercises also help increase circulation, which can help reduce redness and puffiness. Restorative yoga poses are especially beneficial for the face, as they require you to hold a pose for up to ten minutes while focusing on breathing and relaxation.
Cardio: While cardio is known for its many benefits for overall health, it can also benefit the skin. Cardio is thought to reduce wrinkles due to increased circulation, allowing oxygen-rich blood to flood the facial muscles. Furthermore, sweat encourages the release of toxins and can help to purify and hydrate the skin. Finally, the human growth hormone (HGH) gets released during aerobic activity and has been found to promote collagen repair. Examples of cardio include walking, jogging, biking, and swimming.
Strength Training: Strength training is another great way to improve skin health. Weightlifting is beneficial for skin by increasing the body’s circulation, as well as helping to build and repair muscle tissue. This type of training not only strengthens the body and improves posture, it can also help reduce puffiness and tone the muscles of the face. Moreover, weightlifting has been found to improve the complexion of the skin and even help keep wrinkles away. Examples of strength training exercises include calisthenics, weight lifting, and resistance training.
Unstructured Exercise: Unstructured exercises, such as playing with your kids at the park or taking part in a sports league, can be just as useful in improving skin health. This type of exercise involves much more movement, often incorporating a variety of actions such as running, jumping, and turning. Such activities can help you build strength and burn calories, while also providing mental and emotional benefits that can enhance overall skin health. Examples of unstructured exercise include playing sports, playing tag, or playing hopscotch.
Relaxation: Finally, it’s important to stress the importance of relaxation in exercise to improve skin health. By dedicating a few minutes each day to practicing yoga or meditation, you can reduce stress-related hormones, allowing your skin to work more efficiently. Additionally, relaxation can help reduce inflammation, which can give the skin a more youthful appearance and reduce puffiness.
Incorporating a mix of aerobic, strength, and unstructured exercise into your week—along with some relaxation time—can make a vast difference on the health and appearance of your skin. When done correctly, these exercise regimens can help improve complexion, reduce wrinkles, and provide a more youthful complexion.
3. How Exercising Improves Skin Elasticity
The Beauty of Moving
Regular exercising can have a direct impact on improving the elasticity of your skin. When you move your body, a number of processes take place that help to keep your skin looking youthful.
- The elevated heart rate and circulation caused by exercising can help to boost microbiome and transport valuable vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to the skin cells.
- An increase in sweat secretions during exercising can help to clear away dirt and residue build up.
- The body’s natural increase in endorphins helps to reduce the production of cortisol, a hormone linked to inflammation and unhealthy skin.
In addition to these metabolic changes, stretching and whole-body movements help to strengthen underlying muscles, impact the collagen production of the skin, and give it a more firm appearance. Yoga and pilates are great ways to keep the muscles used in facial expressions and head movements toned.
To see maximum results, include weight-bearing exercises like weightlifting, cycling, or running in your routine. Lifting weights helps to create a firm and toned appearance in the entire body, including the face, neck, and abdomen.
A well-rounded exercise plan should also include full-body exercises like squats and lunges, as these help to move essential fluids and toxins out of the body in order to prevent bloating and cellulite build up.
Eating a healthy diet also has a huge influence on the quality of skin elasticity. Eating foods full of healthy fats, omega-3s, and antioxidants are key to getting the most out of your exercise routine. So start moving and eating right today and claim your skin’s youthful elasticity!
4. The Benefits of Cardiovascular Workouts for the Skin
Cardiovascular exercises are not just beneficial for your heart, lungs and overall health – did you know that these workouts can offer tremendous benefits to your skin as well?
An increase in blood flow to the skin is the most obvious result of regular cardiovascular exercise. Far from just a superficial level of improvement, this actually enhances the way your skin looks at a cellular level.
Hydration Boost
- Getting your heart pumping will push proper blood flow to your skin, increasing the rate of hydration and nourishment.
- This increased level of hydration carries vital minerals and vitamins to the skin, providing essential nutrients that benefit metabolism and skin health.
Reduce puffiness and redness
- The increases in blood flow can help flush out any inflammation of the skin, reducing redness and puffiness.
- Carefully targeted cardiovascular exercises can also help to strengthen skin cell walls and increase the overall elasticity of your skin.
Overall health and immunity boost
- The improved blood circulation helps rid the skin of toxins and other waste materials, leaving you with a bright and glowing complexion.
- Adding to this improved overall immunity, cardiovascular exercises increase the lymphatic flow which helps to create an environment for the body’s natural healing response.
Whether you are just beginning your journey towards improved skin health or already have some good habits underway, there is no denying that a regular cardiovascular exercise plan can offer several advantages if you are looking for a strong appearance and overall health.
Working up a sweat for the sake of your overall health and skin? Preaching to the choir! By choosing to incorporate a bit of cardio into your routine and implementing a consistent and nutritious diet, you’re on your way to healthier complexion and a better you, inside and out.
