Exercise and Acne: Does Exercise Help Acne?

Exercise is good for you body, but can it help acne too? There's some evidence that regular exercise helps to reduce the number of acne flare-ups and the severity of ones that do occur. How are exercise and acne related?

Exercise and Acne: Does Exercise Help Acne?

Acne is caused by the overproduction of an oily substance called sebum by the skin's sebaceous glands. Bacteria love to feed on sebum, and when they do, it sets up an inflammatory reaction that causes the red bumps and pustules people with acne have to deal with. The sebaceous glands start to produce more sebum during puberty under the influence of hormones such as testosterone. This is why acne is so common among adolescents and teens.

So how does this relate to exercise? Exercise may help acne by taming hormones like testosterone that cause excess sebum to be made. One hormone linked with acne is cortisol produced by the adrenal gland just above the kidney. Cortisol is known as the "stress hormone", because more of it is made when a person is under stress, starving or sleep-deprived. Cortisol also contributes to acne.

The good news is exercise, especially lower intensity exercise reduces cortisol levels, which is one way exercise helps acne. Some people get acne outbreaks when they're under stress. Stress brings on acne flare-ups in some people due to the powerful effects of cortisol, which stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. Exercise can help to tame cortisol levels if it's done in moderation. High-intensity exercise and very long sessions of exercising, like running 12 miles at a stretch, can actually increase cortisol production because it stresses the body.

A Word of Warning

Exercise helps acne, but if you wear tight clothing around an area prone to acne or a headband if you have acne around your face, it could make it worse. Put on loose clothing and tie your hair back when you exercise so sweat won't be trapped against your skin.

Exercise and Acne: The Bottom Line?

Moderate exercise such as thirty minutes of brisk walking or slow jogging several times a week may help acne by normalizing the hormones that contribute to those ugly bumps and pustules. If you're prone towards acne, exercise may be just what you need to get clearer skin.

References:

Web MD. "Exercise Your Body - and Your Skin"