Is Exercise Good for Acne?

By Yarixa Ferrao

There was a time when I had terrible acne. And I felt embarrassed to the point where I didn’t want to show my face without wearing makeup or a hat. I thought for sure it had something to do with how much I exercised, because it seemed to get worse when I worked out.

There was definitely a reason behind it, but exercising wasn’t really it. I found this out through simple observations of myself, and then research backed it up.

In fact, research shows that exercise improves the look of your skin by:

• Increasing blood flow to the skin
• Renewing cells
• Flushing toxins out of the skin through sweat
• Improving digestion and bowel movements, and improving kidney and liver function, which decreases toxins in the body
• Decreasing stress and the production of stress hormones such as DHEA and DHT, which are part of acne flare up

So, if you’re breaking out when you exercise, what’s causing it?

It’s more than likely from one of these 5 problems:

You’re wearing makeup when you exercise.

I used to wear makeup all the time! As a woman, I do understand the pressures of always looking our best. But wearing makeup will clog your pores, especially when you’re mixing it up with sweat and oils that are being secreted by your skin when exercising. It doesn’t even matter if it’s mineral or not, it will still block your pores. So, if you’re wearing makeup, wash your face before you work out and pat dry. And if you still want to feel “pretty” while working out, just wear a bit of mascara and some lip hydration, and you’re good to go.

You aren’t washing your face or showering after your workout.

This is a must! Even though sweat unclogs pores, it leaves behind a salt residue which can clog pores again. In addition, cells are being renewed… so, if you don’t wash your face and body, the dead skin cells may also clog your pores. I like to use mild tea tree oil soap so it doesn’t dry out my skin too much. In addition, depending on your skin, applying a good moisturizer that doesn’t clog the pores will help keep your skin balanced and reduce the secretion of too much oil.

You aren’t drinking enough water.

If you don’t drink enough water, you will be dehydrated. Dehydration doesn’t allow the body to optimally circulate nutrients, vitamins, minerals, or antioxidants. While at the same time, you’ll probably retain water, which will not only have you sweat out all the toxins, but also will add a few more pounds to your weight. And I’m sure you don’t want that to happen. Please don’t forget: Clean, filtered water is best. The fewer toxins you have to get rid of, the better.

You’re eating too many carbohydrates or processed foods.

I found that when I reduced the amount of grains in my diet and increased my protein and fats, it certainly helped. I noticed that when feeling my face with my hand, it felt less “bumpy.” Interestingly enough, in my research I found that cultures who eat more grains and stray away from their native diets have crooked teeth and acne. Also, just recently I found a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology to support what I thought was a heck of a good theory:

Professor Mann, along with Robyn Smith, PhD, and Royal Melbourne Hospital, divided 43 males, between the ages of 15 and 25, into two groups. One group was given foods with a low-glycemic index, such as whole grain breads and pasta, legumes, and high-protein foods. The second group was fed a more “typical” teenage diet consisting of white bread, potatoes, and sugary drinks and snacks.

After 12 weeks, the boys in the high-protein, low-glycemic-index group showed a 50% reduction of acne.

You’re not getting enough antioxidants or greens daily.

Yep, back when I was breaking out, I certainly wasn’t eating enough veggies. Now I incorporate at least 1- 2 servings of veggies in my day. But even better, I found a really quick and easy way that you, too, can get these rich greens into your body. Get the greens in powder form and mix it with water. I do 1-2 drinks a day. One tip though… since it may take a few times to get used to the taste: Add a bit of cranberry juice to it or blend the water and ice in something like a Magic Bullet. My skin has dramatically improved because of this. It looks more glowing, super hydrated, and more radiant than it has ever been.

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Yarixa Ferrao (aka Coach Yari) is a Certified Personal Trainer and an expert in functional training, fat loss, sports performance, and cellulite. She is the founder of Get Fit in 6, a 6-week life transformation program for both men and women in Delray Beach, Fla. You can visit her at www.getfitin6.com.