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Regular exercise helps keep your body healthy and reduces stress levels, so it's really good for anyone with acne. It increases the blood flow to the skin and gets oxygen to the cells more efficiently. This boosts your skin's health, reduces acne and stops further outbreaks. Spots and blackheads will heal faster and scars fade more quickly.

Acne can ruin people's self confidence. Becoming fit will help you feel good about yourself, and it releases endorphins which make you feel happy.

Exercise also helps regulate growth and stress hormones which irritate acne-prone skin. But don't overdo it because this can stimulate testosterone levels and increase oil production which can make acne worse. The best exercises are: cycling, rowing, swimming, jogging, brisk walking and team sports. Swimming is especially good because you're cleaning the skin inside and out. Just make sure you rinse the chlorine (or salt if you swim in the sea) off afterwards.

Before you exercise, cleanse your face using a natural tea tree oil face wash to remove bacteria and stop it being spread by sweat as you exercise. If you have acne on your back or chest, have a shower before exercising. Pat your skin dry using a clean, soft towel.

Never wear makeup during exercise. Your skin needs to breathe and makeup mixing with sweat can increase bacteria and lead to blocked pores. Always shower afterwards and change into clean, dry clothes. Wash your exercise clothes to destroy bacteria.
Karen Jessett is the author of Clear Skin, available at Acne advice

More help and advice

- Feel inspired? Have a look at our Easy exercise section
- Combat the worst of acne
- Get all the facts on acne
- Remedies for acne

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