It’s common knowledge that regular exercise is a must in order to maintain good health, but did you know that a daily walk can also bring about huge benefits for your skin too?

Increased Circulation and Blood Flow

Happy woman outdoors

The simple act of walking gives your circulation a good boost, which is something that you will feel for yourself as your heart rate goes up. Even a gentle walk is enough to kick that heart rate into action, and, in turn, this can really help your skin.

How?

Your blood is what carries oxygen and nutrients to all of the cells in your body, including those in your skin. Your skin cells need these in order to function properly.

In addition to feeding your skin cells, your blood also carries away waste products, such as free radicals and other toxins. When these stick around, they cause so much damage to the skin, some of which is irreparable, which is why you will notice an almost-instant glow to your skin once your heart begins to race.

Clearer Pores

If you suffer from acne, then you probably already know that this is down to clogged pores. Blockages in your pores lead to inflammation and the growth of bacteria, both of which can easily trigger a breakout.

Well, one way to clear out your pores is by sweating. When you sweat, your pores dilate in order to release the sweat. As the sweat expels out of your skin, it carries any trapped oil and dirt with it, freeing your pores of build-up.

However, in order for this to actually work, you need to cleanse your skin after your walk. If you don’t, then all of that dirt and oil, along with your sweat, will end up settling back into your pores, leading to a breakout that’s even more severe than you would have otherwise experienced.

Choose a cleanser based on your skin type – if you have oily, acne-prone skin, go for something that forms a rich lather, such as the 24K Mousse Cleanser. If you have dry, combination, or sensitive skin, the 24K Vitamin C Cleanser would be a better choice.

Lowered Inflammation

Here’s another way in which a walk can really help people dealing with acne, as well as those suffering from any other type of skin condition that is triggered by inflammation, meaning anything from eczema and psoriasis to rosacea…

Research shows that just a short, 20 minute walk is enough to activate a cellular response that lowers inflammation in the body. These benefits are noticed immediately, so if you suffer from an inflammatory skin condition, you will likely notice symptoms improving straight after your walk.

Increased Collagen Production

If you have ever looked into anti-aging skin care, then you probably already know how important collagen is. This is one of the main proteins that gives your skin its structure and firmness, determining just how tight or lax your skin is.

Your body produces plenty of collagen while you’re young, but the rate at which it does so declines with age. This is why, with age, the skin takes on a looser and more wrinkled appearance.

Yes, there are plenty of skin care products and ingredients out there that can help to build collagen in the skin, but another way to really get collagen synthesis going is with a regular walk.

Exercise stimulates the production of the growth hormone in your body, which is key when it comes to collagen. The circulation-enhancing benefits of exercise help with this too – the more oxygen and nutrients your skin cells receive, the better equipped they will be to produce new collagen. As collagen increases, so does the health of your skin, with a tighter and more toned appearance following soon after.

One thing to keep in mind…

The collagen-boosting effects of a regular daily walk are very real, but, unlike the improvement in circulation that exercise triggers, increased collagen production is not going to be noticed immediately. It takes about 90 days for the body to produce new, workable collagen, so this is one benefit that you will need to be patient with.

Reduced Stress

Have you been feeling particularly stressed or anxious lately?

If so, this could be the reason for some of the skin issues you are dealing with…

Stress can really play havoc on your skin, causing a number of problems to arise:

  • The stress hormone produced by feelings of stress increases oil production, leading to acne breakouts
  • Stress leads to sleep deprivation, which then causes under-eye bags and dark circles, along with increased fine lines and wrinkles, and reduced skin elasticity
  • The stress hormone interferes with the way in which your skin’s protective barrier functions, preventing it from retaining water. This then leads to dryness and dehydration
  • Stress can weaken the body’s immune system, triggering everything from eczema to psoriasis

Fortunately, exercise, even if it is just a slow walk, can help to reduce feelings of stress, which then lowers the amount of the stress hormone shooting through your body. This will help to counter any stress-induced skin issues you may be dealing with, giving you healthier and happier skin in the long run.

Woman walking in park

Stronger Immunity

The immune system is responsible for keeping the body healthy, preventing bacteria and viruses from entering in. There are plenty of immune-boosting foods out there, but something as simple as a walk can also help to strengthen your immune system.

Wondering how this relates to your skin?

Well, your immune system is directly responsible for the microorganisms that live on your skin.

When your immune system is functioning optimally, this is a great thing – it keeps your skin microbiome perfectly-balanced, meaning that skin issues become a rarity.

However, a compromised immune system can cause a number of skin problems to arise:

  • Breakouts – since your immune system will be working overtime to protect your body from other viruses and bacteria, it doesn’t focus quite as much on the acne-causing bacteria in your pores, leading to breakouts
  • Bacterial infections – an increase in bad bacteria can spell disaster for those suffering from eczema, but it can also lead to fungal infections developing in just about anyone
  • Slower wound healing – your immune system helps your skin to heal after dealing with a wound or a blemish, meaning that a sluggish immune system leads to much slower skin healing
  • Hypersensitivity – a hyperactive immune system can cause your skin to become overly-sensitive to just about everything – even dust or pollen could cause severe redness, swelling, and itching

Keeping your immune system in good shape is one of the best ways to care for your skin from within, allowing your skin cells to thrive without interference.

Improved Sleep

The term “beauty sleep” isn’t just a cute little saying – sleep really does play such a significant role in your appearance.

How?

To begin with, the time during which you are asleep is when your body produces the most collagen, which, as you already know, is key to preventing fine lines and wrinkles from forming. Studies show that people who get five hours of sleep each night are likely to experience double the amount of wrinkles as those who get seven hours of sleep each night.

A lack of sleep also interferes with blood flow, decreasing the amount of blood that enters and exits the skin on your face. This leads to an overall dullness that no amount of makeup will be able to brighten.

You have probably also experienced the puffy eyes and dark circles that come from a lack of sleep. While these may not last for very long, chronic sleep deprivation can cause them to stick around, making them much harder to clear.

If all of that was not enough, a lack of sleep will also make you look more tired in general. You are much more likely to frown and furrow your brow more through the day, which not only exacerbates wrinkles, but will also make you look so much older.

How is sleep related to walking?

The two are connected in quite an important way – the more physical activity you do, the better and deeper you will sleep that night. Not only does exercise improve quality of sleep, but it will also increase quantity. This is simply down to the fact that you have expelled more energy during the day, which allows your body to better rest at night.

Research shows that regular exercise, meaning that you would need to walk daily, is even better, making these benefits much more noticeable.

Don’t forget – you can also enhance how your skin functions while you sleep at night with the use of a quality night cream. Look for one that is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, such as the 24K Overnight Cream.

Better Self-Confidence

Ever heard the saying “beauty comes from within”?

There is quite a bit of truth to this – a person that radiates energy and self-confidence is likely to be perceived as more beautiful than someone who doesn’t.

Studies have shown that exercise has a direct impact on a person’s self-esteem. Not only does it enhance your mood, placing your mind into a much more positive state, but it also helps a person to feel better about their body, which is another huge confidence-booster. However, even before the physical benefits are noticed, you will begin to experience the way in which a daily walk really boosts your self-confidence and feelings of self-worth.

This will give your skin a gorgeous glow from within – something that no product or treatment would be able to achieve.

How to Walk Your Way to Glowing Skin

As mentioned, regular exercise is the way to go if you want to truly improve your complexion. While a sporadic walk every now and again will still bring you a few benefits, the long-term effects will only be experienced by those who incorporate walking into their regular routine. If you are able to dedicate between 20 to 30 minutes each day to walking, this is ideal.

A slow walk is better than no walk, but try to keep your pace as brisk as possible. This is key when it comes to boosting circulation, as well as all of the other benefits listed above. The exception lies with those who are dealing with certain skin conditions, such as rosacea or eczema – too much exercise can exacerbate symptoms, so start off slow and gradually increase your pace, until you have worked out just how much your skin can tolerate.

Mixing up your walking routes is also a good idea – this will add so much more variety and interest to your walk, meaning that you will likely notice more mental health benefits in addition to your new skin improvements.

Protecting Your Skin While Walking Outdoors

No matter the time of year, it’s important to keep your skin protected while walking outdoors, making sunscreen a must. The sun’s rays can still cause plenty of damage in the winter, and even on cloudy days too, which is why an SPF 30 is always recommended whenever you plan on spending time outdoors.

Keep forgetting to wear sunscreen?

Go for a moisturizer that also contains SPF. This way, once you apply your moisturizer in the morning, you will be covered when it comes to sun protection for the next few hours. The 24K Skin Tone SPF 30 is a good way to go – this formula has been designed to be lightweight and non-greasy, meaning that re-applying it several times a day is not going to weigh down your skin.

Walking may seem simple, but a daily walk can really work wonders on your skin. From helping to counter inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, to preventing the visible signs of aging from showing up on your face, taking the time to walk every day will definitely pay off in the long run.