An active lifestyle promotes fitness, lowers the risk of lifestyle diseases, and brings down stress levels. Did you know it could spruce up your complexion too? Regular exercise not only is good for your health but also has the power to ease your acne concerns.
How exercise solves your acne problem
If you’re stuck with blemished skin, incorporating exercise into your everyday routine could keep pimples away. Here’s how exercise helps with acne:
- Exercise improves blood circulation. Working out gets the heart pumping, ensuring blood supply to even the tiny blood vessels of the skin. Better circulation boosts immunity, gives the skin a rosy glow, and speeds up the healing of acne lesions.
- Exercise ups your oxygen levels. While exercising, you breathe in more air. That means more oxygen for the body, leading to better circulation and improved blood pressure, both of which support skin health.
- Exercise controls blood sugar. Too much sugar raises insulin counts, which increases androgen levels. Androgens are hormones that stimulate the oil glands, and too much oil may lead to acne. Working out balances blood sugar levels, thereby preventing acne flares.
(Hormones can batter your skin if you have PCOS.)
- Exercise is a stress-buster. Any kind of physical activity brings down the
levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Lower cortisol levels promote relaxation and reduce the inflammation associated with acne and pimples.
Which exercises are good for the skin?
The best exercise is anything that you enjoy enough to do every day. Here are three options that you could consider.
- Outdoor activities: Running, cycling, and playing sports like tennis and football are great for improving blood circulation and getting fresh air.
- High-intensity interval training (HIIT): A vigorous HIIT routine burns calories, boosts metabolism and blood circulation, and leaves your skin looking flushed and healthy.
- Low-intensity workouts: Gentle yoga routines promote relaxation and reduce inflammation, helping minimize the occurrence of pimples due to stress.
5 yoga poses to reduce acne and pimples
Consistent exercise holds the key to beautiful skin. But you could also look at some targeted yoga poses for acne care.
1. Matsyasana (fish pose): This yoga pose features a reclining backbend. Start by lying on the back and then slowly lift the heart while resting on the elbows. At the final stage of matsyasana, draw back the shoulders, elongate the neck, and point the head towards the floor.
Since the fish pose calms the body and mind, it helps minimize acne during times of stress.
2. Bhujangasana (cobra pose): A simple pose for beginners, bhujangasana mimics the movement of a cobra. Lay flat on your stomach and place your palms flat on the floor beneath the shoulders. As you inhale, slowly raise the head, chest, and abdomen as a snake would. Hold the pose for a few breaths while arching the back and turning the gaze upwards.
The cobra pose is said to detoxify the body and promote skin cell turnover. Thus, it supports the healing of acne and helps reduce scars and dark spots.
3. Halasana (plough pose): An advanced yoga pose, halasana begins with a shoulder stand. The practitioner then moves the arms and legs overhead until the fingertips touch the toes. Next, the arms move into a vertical position before finally being stretched out in the opposite direction to the legs.
The plough pose offers relief from constipation and increases blood flow to the head, which may encourage the quick healing of acne lesions.
4. Chakrasana (wheel pose): This pose features a backbend that may be entered in different ways. Advanced practitioners may arch backwards from either a standing pose or a lying down position. Intermediate practitioners may enter chakrasana via the bridge pose.
The wheel pose eases digestive ailments and constipation. It also improves blood circulation to the head and facial region. (Discover how gut health affects acne.)
5. Padmasana (lotus position): Anybody can attempt this yoga pose. Sit cross-legged and place one foot on the other thigh, with both soles facing upwards. Now, focus on pranayama, a breathing technique featuring three stages: inhalation, retention, and exhalation.
The lotus position helps centre the mind and control racing thoughts. It also supports digestion and the absorption of nutrients. By calming the mind and settling bodily imbalances, padmasana may ease acne symptoms.
Boost the effects of exercise with effective skincare
Even as you turn to yoga poses for acne, take steps to upgrade your twice-daily skincare regimen. Wash your face with Clearica Anti-Acne Cleanser, follow up with toner, massage in a tiny bit of Clearica Anti-Acne Cream, and end the routine with some moisturizer.
Always remember that pimple care does not have to be complicated. With a daily fitness regimen and the right anti-pimple tools at your disposal, you can wave goodbye to acne without any fuss.
Disclaimer: This page is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a recommendation or for diagnostic purposes. Please consult your dermatologist or doctor before acting on any of the information provided here.