Does Exercise Help Cure Acne?

The topic, whether exercise helps cure acne or not is quite debated upon in health circles. While some suggest that exercise actually causes acne, another group strongly denies this and states that exercise, in fact, helps to cure it. The former feel that sweat can cause acne because exercise can cause a person to perspire profusely which can clog the pores and result in skin inflammation, eventually causing an acne breakout. So who is right? Well, exercise actually helps to cure acne. It's the conditions you exercise in and the improper post-exercise regimen that most people follow that sees a rise in acne. Acne is caused when the sebaceous glands go into overdrive, releasing more oil, which collects on the surface of the skin. This can lead to skin inflammation, and acne can develop. A certain type of bacteria that resides in the hair follicles, which mixes and dissolves with the oily secretion from the sebaceous glands also contributes to acne. An upcoming theory suggests that acne might be hereditary. Moreover, depression and stress also cause acne.

How Exercise Helps Acne
We all know that exercise is very important for our well-being. Exercise never harms anyone! So how can it be damaging for our skin? In fact, given below are a few points which will highlight how exercise can actually help our body to fight off acne.

• Indulging in regular exercise improves the blood circulation, and that helps the body receive cleaner oxygen.
• Vigorous workouts make you sweat. All that sweat is actually carrying out the toxins that build up inside your body, purifying it.
• It regulates the hormones. It also releases endorphins into the body. Endorphins are neurochemicals that affect a person's mood, making him feel better and more cheerful. That reduces stress, which in turn reduces acne.
• Regular exercise boosts your lymphatic and immune systems, and that helps to keep disease-causing germs at bay. It also helps in discarding harmful toxins from your body.

Follow the Right Post-exercise Regimen
Acne can be controlled by using the right workout equipment and clothing. Where you exercise also plays a role so you need to be careful about all these aspects.

• Exercising and sweat go hand in hand. So after a workout session, preferably take a shower. If that is not possible, wipe your face clean and get rid of the grime and dirt as much as possible. Do not rub in the towel too vigorously, lightly dab your face clean.
• Avoid the use of makeup when you exercise. Oil-based cosmetics can obstruct your skin's pores, making it prone to acne. If at all you have to put on makeup, use oil-free cosmetics, but even then, you must shower or thoroughly clean your face afterward. If you are outdoors and need to use sunscreen, use oil-free sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher.
• Clothing is a very important factor. Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes. Never wear synthetic, nylon, or Lycra garments. These fabrics do not breathe, and hence the perspiration can get trapped and make your skin clammy and serve as the perfect breeding ground for germs. Get out of wet clothes as quickly as possible after a workout session.
• The exercise equipment you use should always be clean, especially if you work out in a gym. If you use a helmet, line the inside with a soft cloth that can absorb all the sweat. Or after you finish exercising, wipe the insides of the helmet clean so it's germ-free and ready to be used again.
• Keep your body hydrated. Drink plenty of water. The more you sweat, the more water your body loses. You need the water to keep your skin supple and also to flush out all the toxic substances from your body.

Make exercise a part of your daily life. The healthier you are, the healthier your skin is, and that makes it less prone to acne. Just be careful about your post-workout regimen which can act as a trigger for acne, as described above. So stop worrying and continue with your exercises, and notice the marked difference it has on your health!