Q I have heard that exercise is good for the skin. What kind of exercise is recommended?
A Aerobic exercise promotes blood circulation, supplying oxygen and nutrients to the skin and improving skin elasticity. However, leaving sweat on the skin after exercise can cause bacterial growth and clogged pores leading to breakouts, so washing your face immediately after exercise is important. Excessively high-intensity exercise can elevate cortisol and worsen skin inflammation, so moderate, consistent exercise is recommended.
Detailed Answer
Moderate aerobic exercise (walking, jogging, swimming, cycling) increases blood flow, boosting oxygen and nutrient delivery to skin cells, and promotes lymph circulation to reduce skin puffiness and help detoxification. As body temperature rises during exercise and sweat glands activate, impurities inside pores can also be expelled. However, if cleansing and moisturizing are not completed within 30 minutes after exercise, sweat + sebum + pollutants clog pores and cause breakouts.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, exercise is the act of moving Qi (氣) and harmonizing Blood (血). For Taeeum (太陰人) types, sufficient aerobic exercise directly helps skin radiance. For Soeum (少陰人) types, excessive exercise can worsen Qi deficiency (氣虛), so light exercise such as walking or yoga is appropriate. For Soyang (少陽人) types, care should be taken not to discharge too much heat.
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