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January 23, 2023

Everything is skin care—exercise included. How we move our bodies most obviously affects our physical health, but it also influences our mental, emotional, and skin health as well. It’s all connected and it’s important that we care for our bodies holistically. 

However, for so long there was a somewhat negative-tinted connection between working out and skin health. There are pervasive misconceptions about sweat causing acne or intense workouts contributing to premature aging (ever heard of runner’s face?). And while improper skin habits surrounding the workout can lead to unwanted consequences, as a whole: The benefits of moving your body regularly far outweigh anything else. 

And just in general, the intimate relationship between exercise and skin health requires a nuanced approach. So let’s talk about it! 

Physical health and your complexion are intricately connected in infinite little ways. This influence can be seen both immediately (flushing or redness right after hot yoga, for example) or in the long term (improved mental health leads to a more robust skin barrier). This means that answering how working out affects the skin isn’t straightforward, as there are many internal factors at play. Not to mention, external and lifestyle habits surrounding your workout regimen can influence your skin health—adding additional complexity to the relationship. 

Here are some things to consider:

• Movement improves circulation, which will benefit skin. Our circulatory system and blood flow bring necessary nutrients, oxygen, and minerals to the whole body, skin included1. 
• Exercise improves mitochondrial health2, too. Mitochondria are vital for skin cell function3—and as the energy source of the cells, they are integral in the collagen and elastin production process, barrier function, wound healing, and overall vitality.
• Working out improves stress and sleep management—and thanks to the brain-skin axis, that means skin will benefit long term. Chronic stress and lack of sleep results in higher levels of the hormone cortisol in the body4. Cortisol breaks down collagen and elastin, damages our skin barrier, and can lead to breakouts. A robust amount of research shows that working out helps regulate our stress response5 and improves sleep hygiene, and these benefits can be seen fairly quickly. It may take longer for it to show up in the skin, but it shouldn’t be discounted. 
• Intense workouts can lead to sallowness and sagging due to fat loss. When we think of skin’s appearance, we tend to only think of the epidermis—but what’s underneath will influence the complexion too, fat and muscles included. Having fat in our face is a good thing, as it can keep us looking plump and youthful. As part of the natural aging process, fat in the area disappears for many folks, which can exacerbate gravitational wrinkles, sagging, and sallowness. For extreme athletes (who tend to have lower overall body fat6), this can be a concern. However, for most folks, it won’t affect the face enough to cause alarm. 
• One of the most notable parts of this conversation isn’t about exercise but all about the environment in which you’re doing it. About 80% of skin aging can be attributed to UV exposure7, and for outdoor athletes the risk of exposure increases. While getting sun and spending time outdoors has immense benefits (and should be encouraged!) unprotected exposure does harm your skin. In addition, pollution and particulate matter can cause free radical damage8, increasing the opportunity for premature aging. 

1. Linking working out to breaking out. Let’s just set the record straight: “Contrary to popular belief, sweat itself does not lead to pimples,” board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., said about the common myth. Breakouts can occur from exercise, but that’s usually due to wearing pore-clogging makeup or products during the session—or improper cleansing methods post-sweat. 
2. Avoiding high-impact workouts due to “runner’s face.” As we’ve noted, fat loss in the face can lead to sagging with time. However, this is usually only in extreme cases—for most folks, workouts (even strenuous ones) won’t lead to premature aging. 
3. Not washing or overwashing. Folks tend to fall into one of two camps: Not properly washing their face before or after a workout (which can lead to clogged pores, buildup, and dullness), or overwashing (which will strip the skin barrier, and can cause irritation). 
4. Forgetting sunscreen before a long workout—and reapplying. According to a 2020 survey about nine out of 10 Americans don’t wear sunscreen daily. The good news is that that number jumps up when it comes to wearing sunscreen when the person is going to be outdoors for an extended period of time: about six out of 10 say they’ll wear sunscreen on those occasions. However, that’s still a lot of folks unprotected from UV rays. In addition, building up a sweat means you need to be more diligent about reapplication—which most folks aren’t good about. 
5. Thinking that pollution is only a problem for city dwellers. Pollution is perceived to be more prominent in major cities. However, a 2021 study found that while the size of the particulate matter was larger in urban areas, the toxicity of the pollution was more so in rural areas9, even if the molecule size was smaller. Read: Those exploring the great outdoors should still be focused on pollution protection.  
6. Not addressing relevant skin conditions. Over the long term, exercise has an overall benefit for many inflammatory skin conditions10 (as it can help reduce stress and inflammation in the body). However, in the short term, you may see flare-ups, as such is the case with rosacea. This shouldn’t deter you from working out, but it should alter the ways in which you care for your skin pre and post. 

The most important thing you can do for your skin is to protect it from damage. And given that the most egregious source of damage is environmental (the UV rays and pollution), that’s where we should start the conversation. 

You need to wear sunscreen when you’re working out outdoors, and reapply if you’re spending significant time in the sun (i.e., on a long run or hiking) or getting wet (i.e., watersports or sweating significantly). 

Moreover, you should be incorporating antioxidants into your skin care routine to help your skin fight against free radicals and oxidative stress from environmental stressors. “Skin photoaging is a result of the oxidative stress from UV radiation,” explains board-certified dermatologist Kautilya Shaurya, M.D. “Your skin naturally produces antioxidants; however, as your skin ages, these antioxidant levels often decrease.”

With your wash schedule, balance is key. Washing your face too often—especially with sudsy, stripping cleansers that are often found at gyms and fitness studios—can lead to inflammation, dryness, and flare-ups. However, not adequately washing your face can mean breakouts, clogged pores, and irritation. 

So, what’s the appropriate cleansing routine? Well, it really depends on when you’re working out. Here’s what to know:

• If you workout in the morning, skip the face wash entirely as you won’t have any makeup or product to remove. As board-certified dermatologist Ellen Marmur, M.D., tells us: “Sweat is the best facial cleanser.” After your session, a quick rinse with water will do—followed by your normal skin care routine.
• If you work out in the evenings, you’ll want to remove makeup and debris from the day prior to your sweat session. “When you exercise, your body heats up and your pores open. Makeup can settle in your pores and contribute to clogging them,” says board-certified dermatologist Keira Barr, M.D. After, gently rinse with water and continue with your nighttime routine.

3.

Use calming ingredients post-sweat. 

Good general advice for any skin type to follow is to avoid harsh ingredients immediately following a workout. “Your skin may be more vulnerable to irritation shortly after a workout, as your pores are open,” says Barr. Read: Save the AHA serums and enzyme peels for another time. 

However, those with sensitive or reactive skin should go a step further and look for calming ingredients and formulas: 

Both your body and skin need a diverse, nutrient-dense diet to thrive. You can’t properly exercise or build muscle without sustained energy and fuel; your skin can’t support itself without the tools to rejuvenate. And it turns out, many of the nutrients you’re told to consume for fitness can also benefit the skin as well. (Win-win!) 

To start, proteins always rank at the top of the list for building muscle and supporting energy levels. (There’s a lot more to know about how much protein to consume for fitness support, so check out this guide.) But protein is also essential for your complexion. Proteins are made up of amino acids, so consuming them can supply your body with the building blocks it needs to build collagen, elastin, and keratin. In fact, brand-new research even shows that not consuming enough protein can lead to clogged pores11, discoloration, and even signs of premature aging. To up your intake of amino acids, check out these sources, or perhaps consider a collagen supplement. 

That’s not the only one: “Another macronutrient you shouldn’t neglect after working out is fat. Healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats increase HDL ‘good’ cholesterol levels, which can increase growth hormone production12 and create more amino acids for building muscle tissue,” writes certified holistic nutritionist Adam Meyer about foods to consume post-workout. Healthy fats are also critical for skin function—notably polyunsaturated fats13, which play important roles in both the epidermis and dermis.  

You should also be mindful of hydration. Staying hydrated is essential for a meaningful workout and can help your skin remain moisturized in the long run. No, chugging water isn’t going to reverse the clock by a decade, but doing so consistently does improve the appearance of the skin. In fact, studies have shown that getting the recommended amount of water for your body increases the dermal layer14, thereby making your skin more hydrated. 

5.

Utilize workouts that reduce stress.

Stress does a number on the skin. While stress-skin connection warrants its own library of literature, here’s an abridged rundown of the side effects: Cortisol depletes collagen and elastin (and can even inhibit the production of the proteins), damages the barrier, causes inflammation, and gets in the way of wound healing.  

The best workout to reduce stress is one that you enjoy. However, if you’re looking for practices that have been shown to regulate the stress response, “cortisol-conscious” workouts can be incredibly beneficial for many folks, notes naturopathic doctor Marissa Castello, N.D. A few examples of what she means: 

• Hatha yoga: She notes that one study found that a single hatha yoga session helped participants manage their stress levels15 compared to a control group. 
• Working out with your circadian rhythm: We should all strive to work with our sleep schedules to make the most out of our days—workouts included! “Exercising at the right time for your body has been shown16 to minimize post-workout cortisol spikes,” she writes. So how do you find a time that’s right for you? Honestly, you probably already know: Those who identify as morning people should do the a.m., and night people should exercise in the evening. Simple as that. 
• Mindful movement: Many workouts can be mindful if you pay attention to how your mind and body are working together throughout the process—you just need to be present in your body. And a meta-analysis found that mindfulness practices can help mediate the physiological markers of stress17. 

• Work out your face muscles. Like your body, you can strength-train the muscles in your face. This is important because facial muscles can help your skin remain firm and lifted as you age. There are a few ways to do this, but the most popular of late is through microcurrent devices. Micocurrents work by stimulating the facial muscles to help lift, tone, and contour the face—as well as promoting energy production in the cells. 
• Join an all-in-one wellness community. Spaces are emerging all over the country as one-stop centers for all your beauty and well-being needs. Come for a facial; stay for the yoga classes and meditation sessions. Read more (and check out a few spots!) here.