Tag Archives: skin health

Why Sweating is Good for Your Skin

is-sweating-good-for-your-skin

“A sweaty body is a healthy body.” 

Whether or not that statement is actually true, physical education teachers around the world have shouted it to thousands of kids as they’ve run laps over the decades. And while the claim is not at all specific in how sweat might help the skin, it just feels right. But is it? 

Turns out, sweating is good for the skin in primary and secondary ways. We’ll start with the secondary. Most of us sweat profusely when we exercise. And exercise, it has been shown, stimulates the skin to grow in more healthy ways, particularly in the ways that the effects of aging accumulate over time. This is due to many causes not directly related to sweat, but because sweat is so closely associated with vigorous exercise. We can at least affirm that the old saying of “a sweaty body is a healthy body” is at least partially correct. 

So exercise is healthy for the skin – no surprise there. But in what ways might sweating be directly healthy for our skin? For this insight, we’ll look to the book “The Beauty of Dirty Skin: The Surprising Science of Looking and Feeling Radiant from the Inside Out” by doctor Whitney Bowe, a dermatologist. Dr. Bowe says: 

“Sweat contains natural alternatives to antibiotics called antimicrobial peptides. The specific antimicrobial peptide in sweat, dermcidin, is pumped onto the skin via the sweat glands and coats the skin, thereby providing protection against infection from other microbes and harmful germs.”

Microbes and germs, another study reminds us, are responsible for numerous skin problems, including pimples, boils, impetigo, and folliculitis. We learn from Dr. Bowe that by sweating with regularity, we can counteract some of the effects that these natural microbes have on our skin’s health. 

Perhaps this is one of the reasons that saunas have been so popular for centuries. Although the notion of “sweating out toxins,” Dr. Bowe reminds us, is for the most part a myth. 

So sweat is good, but is too much sweat a bad thing? Dr. Bowe has information for us once again. She says, “If sweat sits on the skin too long, it can irritate the skin. Specifically, the ammonia and urea in sweat can cause irritation and inflammation if left on skin too long. The sodium in sweat can dehydrate skin if left too long on the surface, and the evaporation of sweat from skin can aggravate people prone to eczema.”

So there you have it. Sweating is good, and you should do it in dedicated workouts regularly. But also make sure that you hit the showers after working out at the gym. 

Of course, there are some skin challenges that go along with sweating. Because you’re likely not going to the gym right now because of Covid-19, you may be forced to work out outside. Outdoor workouts mean fending with the elements: the sun, the cold, the wind, and the dry (or excessively humid) air. Any of these factors can damage your skin. Fortunately, there are ways to give back what the stress of any workout takes from our skin. 

Cosmesis Healing Vitamin K Cream from Life Extension , Jade Facial Travel Kit – Normal to Dry Skin from Jadience Herbal Formulas, and Balancing Day Lotion will each have a restorative effect on your skin, whether you’re recovering from a workout, or are merely wishing to moisturize after a cleansing shower. Whatever the case, we hope you find that sweat helps your skin, and that you find a way to get sweaty that works perfectly for your situation.

Daily Tips That Make Skin Care for Acne and Anti-Aging Easy

skin care for acne and anti-aging

Skin care is a hobby and preoccupation for a growing number of people. Whether we’re fighting skin blemishes or trying to preserve the health and appearance of our skin as we grow older, skin care is a challenging and rewarding process that we all can take part in. 

Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and careful observation of its appearance will reveal that it’s never exactly the same at any given time. Your complexion fluctuates, dry patches come and go, and the appearance of health and vitality can be there one minute and gone the next. So whether you’re trying to clear your skin from troublesome acne, or simply trying to maintain your epidermis’ youthful glow, here are some means and methods with which to address acne and anti-aging. 

Stabilize Your Diet and Nutrition

Diet and nutrition have almost as much to do with skin health as any other factor. Micronutrients like vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids are integral for the health and attractive appearance of your skin. All of these and more can be found in a widely varied diet of high quality whole foods, with plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. Processed foods should be kept to a minimum, as should any foods that include ingredients or preservatives that you can’t easily pronounce when reading the side of the container. When at all possible, make your own meals from scratch. 

In addition to your meals, consider supplements that can go beyond the nutrition found on your dinner plate. Moringa, Jojoba, & Rose Hip Oil by Desert Essence and Gentle Cleansing Wash by MyChelle Dermaceuticals are perfect examples. The former can soothe skin irritations, such as acne, as well as prime and preserve healthy skin. The latter can gently remove harmful oils and other impurities which inflame the skin during acne breakouts, or can simply work as a makeup remover or general cleanser for all kinds of skin types. 

Providing nutrition directly to the skin surface, as in these two examples, can work faster at improving skin health than generalized nutrition taken in through diet. However, you should probably do both!

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is important for the health of your skin, because water makes up most of the weight of our skin. It’s water that allows nutrition to reach skin cells, through the blood in the capillaries, and water composes part of the barrier found around the body of cells that make up your epidermis. Simply put, without water your skin can’t be healthy, so make sure you drink plenty of it! 

Hydration is especially important when it’s very cold or very hot, or when the air is dry. Hydration is also necessary before, during, and after exercise, or any other time your temperature is elevated. You can hydrate your skin from the outside with a high-quality lotion made of natural ingredients, as needed, but especially right before bed. This is a great tip for general skin care, as well as acne and anti-aging.

Wear Sunscreen

Protecting your skin from the sun will work wonders for its appearance. Wrinkles and fine lines are most often the result of damage that ages the skin, causing it to lose its softness and elasticity. Sun damage is the worst culprit for many of us. Even if you go outside in the sun for only a few minutes each day, this time adds up! You should strongly consider getting in the habit of applying sunscreen to your face, at least, whenever you go outdoors during the day. 

All of these methods will help you improve your skin quality, especially if you have chronic conditions like acne. For those without acne, these techniques will help you improve the health and appearance of your skin, reducing the signs of aging for life.