Exercise and Skin Health

We’re always searching for the best skincare products and treatments to achieve healthy, glowing skin. But what if one of the most powerful ways to support your skin has nothing to do with what you apply to it?

The truth is, healthy skin isn’t just about skincare. It’s also about how you live your life.

Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and its health is influenced by what happens beneath the surface. Exercise is one of the simplest ways we can support it. Let’s explore how regular movement can benefit your skin.

Better circulation for healthy, radiant skin

When you exercise, your blood circulation increases, helping deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout your body, including your skin.

This supports normal skin function and contributes to that lovely post-workout glow!

Supporting collagen and skin structure

We often think about collagen when we start noticing fine lines or a loss of firmness. But supporting our skin’s structure before these changes become more noticeable is just as important.

Emerging research suggests that exercise may help maintain skin elasticity and structure as we age.

A small 2023 Resistance Training Skin Study involving 56 women, between the age of 41 and 59, found that both aerobic exercise and resistance training improved skin elasticity over 16 weeks. Strength training was also associated with increased dermal thickness, that’s the deeper layer of skin where collagen is found.

Although more research is needed, these findings offer an interesting insight into how looking after our bodies may also benefit our skin.

Keeping your lymphatic system moving

Your lymphatic system might not get as much attention as blood circulation, but it plays an important role in maintaining healthy tissues, including your skin. Think of it as your body’s natural drainage network.

It collects excess fluid from the spaces around your cells and transports it back into your bloodstream. Along the way, lymph passes through lymph nodes, where immune cells help identify and deal with harmful substances and microorganisms.

Unlike your blood circulation, which has the heart acting as a pump, your lymphatic system relies partly on muscle contractions and body movement to help keep fluid flowing. This is where exercise comes in.

Walking, swimming, stretching and even gentle everyday movement encourage muscle contractions, helping to support lymphatic circulation and healthy fluid balance.

So, when you move your body, you’re not just exercising your muscles. You’re also supporting an important system that helps maintain the health of your tissues.

Less stress, better sleep and healthier skin

Have you ever noticed your skin looking a little tired or experiencing more breakouts during stressful periods?

Stress and poor sleep can affect our skin, and for some people, stress may contribute to flare-ups of conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Regular exercise can help manage stress, improve sleep quality and support overall metabolic health. It’s another reminder that looking after our wellbeing can have benefits that extend all the way to our skin.

Does the type of exercise matter?

Different types of exercise offer different benefits, so a little variety can be helpful.

• Aerobic exercise: Activities such as brisk walking, cycling and swimming support cardiovascular health and circulation.
• Strength training: Using weights, resistance bands or your own body weight helps maintain muscle strength and may offer additional benefits for skin structure.

You don’t have to choose one over the other. Combining both is a lovely way to support your overall health while giving your skin some extra support along the way.

And remember, consistency matters more than intensity. The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, alongside strength exercises on two days. But if you’re just getting started, a daily walk, a swim or a dance class can be a wonderful first step. Find something you enjoy and make it part of your routine. Just like skincare, it’s the habits you maintain over time that matter.

A little skincare advice for active people

Exercise is beneficial, but sweat, friction and prolonged contact with workout clothing can sometimes contribute to irritation or breakouts.

After exercising, gently cleanse your skin and change out of sweaty clothing. Remember to drink water to replace fluids lost through sweating.

If you’re exercising outdoors, remember your SPF. Protecting your skin from UV exposure remains essential. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher and reapply as needed, particularly after heavy sweating.

Healthy skin starts with healthy habits

At Essência Skin, we believe that looking after your skin goes beyond choosing the right products or treatments.

Before discussing professional treatments and skincare routines, we take time to understand the lifestyle factors that may be influencing your skin, including nutrition, sleep, stress and physical activity.

Facials, advanced aesthetic treatments and a well-chosen skincare routine can help address specific concerns and enhance your skin’s appearance. But they’re only part of the picture.

Looking after your body provides an important foundation for maintaining healthy skin, and professional treatments can complement those efforts.

So, the next time you’re thinking about investing in your skin, remember that something as simple as going for a walk might be a lovely place to start.

Because great skin health isn’t just about what you apply to your skin. It’s also about how you care for yourself.

Essential care. Essentially you.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making significant changes to your lifestyle, particularly if you have an existing medical condition or take medication.