Exercise can help beat teenage acne
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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floss, about 1 year
i'm 14 and i have had acne for about 3 years. i've tried everything. ive been to my dermatologist loads of times and she's given me all different pills and creams and face washes but its hasnt really worked well. during summer they often get better cos the sun dries them out. its really hard cos ive had it for ages now and my family are always telling me to try harder to get rid of it, but surely its just hormonal?
Report this commentAmber, about 1 year
I am a 15year old girl with seriously bad acne! i went to my local gp and they sent me to the dermotoligest nearest to me and they gave me loads of things to use but none of it worked i went to my boots store and was advised to use Quinaderm cream worked fantastically id tell any1 to use it! and it only cost's around £3!
Report this commentOlivia, about 1 year
Hi im 14 and i have a few spots. Can i just say that i do lots and lots of excersise and I still have spots :( do you have any other ideas? i put clearacil on my face and it made it worse :( Im a confident girl but this is really starting to affect me. Could you help?
Report this commenteimear, about 1 year
neva put oil on your spots or blackheads make up is full of oil try to use it sparingly!
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Andrew, about 1 year
i have a few spots around my eyes and i don't really mind about it. spots r normal
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