Is Sweat Good for Your Skin & Does Sweating Help Clear the Face?
Sweat. We all do it. Most people find it a bit gross. But, have you ever considered why we sweat? And more importantly, have you ever asked yourself or your dermatologist "is sweat good for your skin?"
There are various reasons why we sweat. And the act of sweating is usually good for the skin, as long as we care for our complexion correctly between periods of exertion.
In this article, our experts take a deeper look at the effects of sweating on the skin. Let's dive in...
Sweat Glands: How Do They Work?
There are two types of sweat glands: apocrine sweat glands and eccrine sweat glands.
Apocrine glands are most prevalent in areas with hair, some of which include the groin, armpits, and scalp. The eccrine glands, on the other hand, can be found virtually everywhere on the body and they open up directly onto the surface of the skin.
The sweat glands are controlled by the nervous system and hormones. They help cool the body by secreting a clear substance made up of electrolytes and water, as well as minerals like sodium, and chloride, via the pores of the skin.
Sweating: The Skin Benefits
When it comes to exercise, we often focus on the benefits for our mood, sleep, and overall health. But, what about the skin? That's right, doing a workout can hugely benefit your skin too! Let's take a closer look:
A Good Sweat Sess Supports Regulation of Body Temperature
One of the biggest reason we sweat, and therefore, one of the biggest health benefits of sweating, is that it helps regulate our body temperature.
When our body temperature rises, we secrete sweat, or perspiration. This evaporates which helps reduce our body's overall temperature. This loss of fluids is why it is so important to drink plenty of water when doing a workout or when in a hot climate.
Sweating Helps Train the Brain
Weird, right? Let us explain. When you sweat it's normally because your body is under stress. Your heart rate is up, your body heat rises, and your stress hormone, cortisol, is pumping.
Working out helps train the brain to deal with stressful situations. While you don't want your cortisol levels to stay high for long periods of time, exercise can provide you with just the right amount of stress so that your brain stays sharp when unpredicted stressors appear.
Sweat Helps Kill Harmful Bacteria on the Skin
You may have heard this from your dermatologist already but sweat can act as a natural antibiotic for the skin. That's because when the body sweats, it excretes antimicrobial peptides which help kill harmful germs.
Sweating, whether through physical activity or an infrared sauna session helps rid the body of toxins, while also killing impurities and bacteria that are often the cause of skin irritation and issues like acne. But, there is a sweet spot when it comes to sweating and bacteria so keep reading to find out!
Boost Your Skin Health With French Pine Bark
Now, you can protect and preserve your skin and body's overall health with LAC Masquelier's French Pine Bark OPC. This patented, clinically-proven french pine bark formula offers the body and dermis three-way protection thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.
With Masquelier's potent supplement, you'll naturally protect and enhance your cardiovascular system while also neutralizing free radicals in the body, thus supporting your overall skin health.
Sweat Acts as a Natural Skin Exfoliant
When we workout, our body heat rises and we sweat. This leads us to excrete minerals and salt which can act as a natural exfoliant on the skin. This helps clear the pores of dirt and other impurities. This is especially helpful for people with dry skin and those with allergies.
Sweat Makes Your Skin Glow Thanks to Proper Blood Flow
One of the main health benefits of sweating is that it helps give the skin that healthy glow we all know and love.
Getting in a good sweat session raises our heart rate and body heat which gets the blood circulating. And, when our core temperature rises, our blood vessels dilate, which in turn, increases the flow of blood to the skin. This increase in blood flow helps to circulate more nutrients and oxygen to our body's cells, supporting our hair, nails, organs, and of course, our skin.
But, it's not just exercise that can provide you with these benefits of sweating. Similarly to a workout, steam rooms and infrared saunas also help rise the body's core temperature which supports blood flow, circulation, thus cleansing the skin and leaving us looking radiant.
The Disadvantages of Sweat for the Skin
While sweating can have positive effects on the skin, it also has its downfalls.
Impurities From Sweat on the Skin Can Cause Irritation & Acne
Yes, sweating helps excrete antimicrobial peptides via the pores, helping to kill bacteria and other impurities. But, if you don't take a shower soon after and let the sweat sit on the surface of your skin, it can actually have the opposite effect.
When we workout, the sweat that comes from our pores also pushes out oil (also known as sebum), dead skin cells, urea, and ammonia, as well as other impurities. If you don't wash and cleanse the skin, the pores can get blocked, leading to irritation.
Strengthen Your Dermis and Reduce Acne Breakouts With Collagen
At Taut, we believe in helping women achieve glowing, plump, and blemish-free skin which is why we designed our Taut Advanced Collagen Formula. This liquid collagen provides a 13,000mg dose of pure marine collagen peptides sourced from wild-caught Red Snapper from the Indian Ocean.
But, that's not all. We have combined our potent collagen with six skin-loving ingredients that work synergistically to provide your skin with maximum rejuvenation and a significant reduction in skin imperfections.
With our collagen drink, you'll enjoy a potent dose of elastin peptides, hyaluronic acid, grapeseed extract, ceramide, vitamin B6, and vitamin C, a co-factor of collagen known for its wound healing properties.
Sweat Can Make Your Skin Smell Bad After Exercise
Ever finished an exercise session to realize that you smell terrible? That's because of all of the urea, ammonia, dead skin cells, and other nasties that your pores have sweat out.
The smell typically comes from areas with apocrine glands and is a sign that there may be an overgrowth of bacteria. Keeping skin clean and sticking to a healthy diet can help reduce your body's odor.
If you are already practicing good skin hygiene and are following RenewSkin, Inc.'s diet for clear skin, low in processed ingredients, consult with a dermatologist if your symptoms don't go away as this can be a sign of an underlying condition.
Exercise Aftercare for Skin
There are positive changes you can make to your daily skincare routine in order to enjoy the full benefits of sweating without any of the disadvantages.
Wash the Sweat Off Your Skin After Exercise
When you complete a workout, it's essential that you wash your skin in the shower straight away. The longer you leave the sweat, excess oil, dirt, and bacteria on your skin, the more likely you are to suffer from breakouts and irritation.
Follow a Healthy Diet
Following a nutritious diet can have a positive impact on your health, not only because you'll maintain a healthy weight, but also because you won't be sweating out so many impurities during your workout routine.
By following a skin detox diet packed with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, you'll enjoy all of the nutrients you need for a healthy, glowing complexion. A balanced diet also helps reduce bad body odor, specifically when doing exercise.
Cut Back on the Alcohol
Have you ever noticed that your body odor is particularly intense after a night of drinking? That's because alcohol is packed with toxins and, when you workout, your body is working double as hard to push out pollutants from your system.
Cutting back on alcohol and doing a regular liver cleanse will support your skin health so that you can enjoy red carpet radiance, no matter what your age.
Quit Smoking
Similarly to alcohol, cigarettes are also packed with toxins that our bodies work very hard to rid themselves of. And, in many cases, this shows in the skin. Think about it. Have you ever seen a heavy smoker with a grey-ish skin tone? That's because smoking negatively impacts the skin, taking away that dewy glow and leaving you with a lackluster complexion.
Optimal blood flow allows nutrients and oxygen to nourish our skin. When our lungs and immune system are not working at 100% capacity, bacteria, pollutants, and chemicals build up in the body, leading to skin issues. And, a bad odor when sweating is often a sign that their is an overgrowth of bacteria and toxins in our system.
Achieve a Natural Glow With Taut
Ready to let your skin glow, no matter how much exercise and perspiration you throw its way? That's where out Taut Collagen Anti Oxy Foxy transformation program comes in.
Designed to help you restore and preserve youthful, healthy skin no matter what your age, this bundle combines our Taut Advanced Liquid Collagen Formula with Masquelier's French Pine Bark Extract.
Within just 21 days, you'll enjoy a plumper, more even skin tone with fewer skin imperfections. And, the powerful antioxidants and antibacterial properties from the french pine bark will strengthen your blood vessels and improve your circulation to minimize the appearance of varicose veins.
Want to save 15% on your next order? Check out RenwSkin, Inc.'s skin care subscription boxes and you'll never miss out on your favorite products!
