Go To The Gym to Workout Your Skin

People usually workout with a very specific goal in mind: to chisel their abs, drop 15 pounds by the reunion, or just firm up for bikini season. But, when was the last time you heard someone say they were heading to the gym to clear up their acne or improve their wrinkles?

Most people don’t realize that working out benefits your skin just as much as your body.

As a board-certified dermatologist and the creator of ZO Skin Health, Dr. Obagi formulates anti-aging products with potent ingredients that combat wrinkles and fine lines. But the battle doesn’t stop there. He tells his patients all the time that products and procedures do most of the work; the rest is up to them.

You’ve probably noticed that many anti-aging products claim to boost collagen—that stuff youthful skin has a lot of and aging skin doesn’t. But guess what else boosts collagen? Yep, exercise.

A great cardio workout kicks your blood flow into motion. When that happens, your skin cells get a healthy delivery of oxygen and nutrients—the picture-perfect setting for natural collagen production. And how does that benefit your skin? You’ll see fewer dry patches, firmer skin, and fewer wrinkles.

For those who are acne-prone, the reasons to workout are even more attractive. Regular exercise improves blood circulation, which makes it easier for your pores to get rid of the toxins in your body that can lead to blemishes.

On top of this, stress levels drop. It’s no coincidence that pimples show up when they’re least welcome—right before big events. You’ve likely had a lot of headache-inducing planning prior to such events, which brings on a mountain of stress. Exercise balances out the hormones that go into overdrive when stress revs up. It may not produce an immediate difference in skin, but you’ll definitely take note of the absent flare-ups during your next big event.

It doesn’t stop here. Cellulite can improve, the elasticity in your face can bounce back, and a nice rosy glow often results from regular workouts, too. So, the next time someone asks what you’re trying to accomplish at the gym, tell them you’re toning and tightening—your skin.