Does Exercise Help with Acne? Here’s What the Experts Say

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It HelpsNegative EffectsPreventing BreakoutsCauses of AcneSkincare

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How It Helps

Negative Effects

Preventing Breakouts

Causes of Acne

Skincare

Exercise offers numerous health benefits, from improving cardiovascular health to boosting mood.But when it comes to acne, the relationship isn’t straightforward. While some aspects of exercise can benefit your skin, others might worsen breakouts. The key lies in understanding how exercise impacts your body and how you care for your skin before, during, and after physical activity. With the right approach, you can enjoy the benefits of exercise without worrying about your skin.

Ways Exercise May Help With Acne

Exercise is beneficial for your overall health and plays a significant role in improving skin health.Through various mechanisms, physical activity can help reduce inflammation, lower stress levels, and support skin repair and regeneration.

Exercise can positively influence your skin through a variety of ways:

1. Reduces Inflammation

2. Stress Reduction

Physical activity reduces cortisol levels, a stress hormone linked to increased sebum production and acne. Lower stress levels may also reduce inflammation and flare-ups.

3. Improves Blood Flow

Exercise enhances circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to skin cells.This can lead to better circulation and support skin repair and regeneration.

4. Stabilizes Blood Sugar Levels

The Negative Effects of Exercise for Acne

While exercise benefits overall health, it can sometimes exacerbate acne in some people. Physical activity leads to sweating, which can mix with dirt, oil, and bacteria on the skin, clogging pores and triggering breakouts. Some people may touch their faces during workouts or use shared gym equipment, spreading bacteria that contribute to acne. Even overwashing the skin post-exercise can strip away natural oils, causing irritation and potentially worsening acne.

Examples of how exercise can negatively affect acne include:

Tips to Prevent Breakouts From Exercise

Sweating during exercise can mix with oil, dirt, and bacteria on your skin, potentially triggering acne breakouts. The good news? You don’t need to stop working out to improve your skin. By focusing on proper hygiene at every stage of your workout—before, during, and after—you can keep your skin clear while staying active.

Here are practical ways to reduce the risk of exercise-induced acne:

Before your workout:

During your workout:

It is also essential to wear sun protection whenever you exercise outdoors, such as hats, sunglasses, sun-protective clothing, and sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. You must also reapply your sunscreen at least every two hours or after swimming or sweating.

Understanding What Causes Acne

Acne is a widespread skin condition that can affect people of any age and often results from a combination of internal and external factors. Hormonal changes, genetics, and lifestyle habits all play a role in its development. Understanding these causes is key to preventing and managing breakouts. Acne usually forms when the skin produces excess oil, does not shed dead skin cells properly, or allows bacteria to build up in the pores.

Several factors can raise your chances of developing acne:

Exercise can influence some of these factors positively or negatively, depending on your skin type and habits.

How to Take Care of Your Skin After a Workout

If you’re prone to breakouts, use an acne treatment containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide after cleansing.

Summary

Exercise can help and hinder acne, depending on individual factors and how you manage your skincare routine. The benefits include reduced stress, stabilized blood sugar, and improved circulation, while the drawbacks often stem from sweat, bacteria, and improper post-exercise skincare. With preventive measures and post-workout care, you can enjoy the health benefits of exercise without compromising your skin health.

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Benefits of exercise.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How your workout can effect your skin.Acne.org.How exercise might help with acne.Lancaster GI, Febbraio MA.Exercise and the immune system: implications for elite athletes and the general population.ImmunolCell Biol.2016;94(2):115-116. doi:10.1038/icb.2015.103De Nys L, Anderson K, Ofosu EF, Ryde GC, Connelly J, Whittaker AC.The effects of physical activity on cortisol and sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2022;143:105843. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105843Borzyszkowska D, Niedzielska M, Kozłowski M, et al.Evaluation of hormonal factors in acne vulgaris and the course of acne vulgaris treatment with contraceptive-based therapies in young adult women.Cells. 2022;11(24):4078. doi:10.3390/cells11244078Oizumi R, Sugimoto Y, Aibara H.The association between activity levels and skin moisturising function in adults.Dermatology Reports. 2021;13(1). doi:10.4081/dr.2021.8811Sadowska-Przytocka A, Gruszczyńska M, Ostałowska A, et al.Insulin resistance in the course of acne – literature review.Adv Dermatol Allergol. 2021;39(2):231-238. doi:10.5114/ada.2021.107101American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is your workout causing your acne?National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Benefits of exercise.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How your workout can effect your skin.Acne.org.How exercise might help with acne.Lancaster GI, Febbraio MA.Exercise and the immune system: implications for elite athletes and the general population.ImmunolCell Biol.2016;94(2):115-116. doi:10.1038/icb.2015.103De Nys L, Anderson K, Ofosu EF, Ryde GC, Connelly J, Whittaker AC.The effects of physical activity on cortisol and sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2022;143:105843. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105843Borzyszkowska D, Niedzielska M, Kozłowski M, et al.Evaluation of hormonal factors in acne vulgaris and the course of acne vulgaris treatment with contraceptive-based therapies in young adult women.Cells. 2022;11(24):4078. doi:10.3390/cells11244078Oizumi R, Sugimoto Y, Aibara H.The association between activity levels and skin moisturising function in adults.Dermatology Reports. 2021;13(1). doi:10.4081/dr.2021.8811Sadowska-Przytocka A, Gruszczyńska M, Ostałowska A, et al.Insulin resistance in the course of acne – literature review.Adv Dermatol Allergol. 2021;39(2):231-238. doi:10.5114/ada.2021.107101American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is your workout causing your acne?National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

MedlinePlus.Benefits of exercise.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How your workout can effect your skin.Acne.org.How exercise might help with acne.Lancaster GI, Febbraio MA.Exercise and the immune system: implications for elite athletes and the general population.ImmunolCell Biol.2016;94(2):115-116. doi:10.1038/icb.2015.103De Nys L, Anderson K, Ofosu EF, Ryde GC, Connelly J, Whittaker AC.The effects of physical activity on cortisol and sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2022;143:105843. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105843Borzyszkowska D, Niedzielska M, Kozłowski M, et al.Evaluation of hormonal factors in acne vulgaris and the course of acne vulgaris treatment with contraceptive-based therapies in young adult women.Cells. 2022;11(24):4078. doi:10.3390/cells11244078Oizumi R, Sugimoto Y, Aibara H.The association between activity levels and skin moisturising function in adults.Dermatology Reports. 2021;13(1). doi:10.4081/dr.2021.8811Sadowska-Przytocka A, Gruszczyńska M, Ostałowska A, et al.Insulin resistance in the course of acne – literature review.Adv Dermatol Allergol. 2021;39(2):231-238. doi:10.5114/ada.2021.107101American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is your workout causing your acne?National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.

MedlinePlus.Benefits of exercise.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.How your workout can effect your skin.

Acne.org.How exercise might help with acne.

Lancaster GI, Febbraio MA.Exercise and the immune system: implications for elite athletes and the general population.ImmunolCell Biol.2016;94(2):115-116. doi:10.1038/icb.2015.103

De Nys L, Anderson K, Ofosu EF, Ryde GC, Connelly J, Whittaker AC.The effects of physical activity on cortisol and sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2022;143:105843. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105843

Borzyszkowska D, Niedzielska M, Kozłowski M, et al.Evaluation of hormonal factors in acne vulgaris and the course of acne vulgaris treatment with contraceptive-based therapies in young adult women.Cells. 2022;11(24):4078. doi:10.3390/cells11244078

Oizumi R, Sugimoto Y, Aibara H.The association between activity levels and skin moisturising function in adults.Dermatology Reports. 2021;13(1). doi:10.4081/dr.2021.8811

Sadowska-Przytocka A, Gruszczyńska M, Ostałowska A, et al.Insulin resistance in the course of acne – literature review.Adv Dermatol Allergol. 2021;39(2):231-238. doi:10.5114/ada.2021.107101

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is your workout causing your acne?

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.

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