From the products that celebs rely on for expensive-looking skin to the face exfoliator that actual supermodels swear by, there are plenty of beauty products out there that can create the effect of better skin—even on days when your complexion might not be playing ball. Between facial tools and cult moisturisers, you're likely to be able to find a hack to calm redness or disguise a breakout pretty easily. But what can we do about genuinely improving the condition of our skin permanently?
Unfortunately, for an exercise-phobe like myself, it turns out that working out might just be the key to achieving better skin.
In a report commissioned by beauty brand Foreo and written by Anita Sturnham, a GP specialising in dermatology, it was discovered that certain exercises can promote good skin health with a positive impact on everything from cellular ageing to radiance to acne (assuming you're working out in the right way).
"We all know how important it is for our health that we exercise regularly, but the impact of exercise on your skin is something that has been little documented, until now," said Sturnham. "It has been fascinating to delve deeper into the relationship between the two, and I hope that this work done by Foreo will encourage others to consider certain types of exercise as a beneficial element to our skincare regimes."
Related: 7 Bikini Trends You'll See on Every Beach This Summer
The intensity levels of exercise, the length of session, and even the time of day and physical environment play a role on the health and appearance of our skin, but the study found that there are certain types of workouts that will benefit specific skin concerns.
Keep scrolling to find out exactly what workout you should be doing for your best skin ever.
To Boost Radiance
Resistance training paired with yoga is the best workout combination for boosting radiance in your skin. I'm no gym bunny, but I could be tempted to lift some cans of beans at home and find a yoga routine on YouTube if I can expect some extra glow.
To Reduce Breakouts
For combating breakouts and calming acne, the report claims that moderate intensity workouts like cycling are recommended. (Hurrah!) Moderate is about the level of exercise that I can cope with, so my blemish-prone skin will definitely give this a try.
To Plump Skin
When it comes to plumping and firming skin, it's time to bring out the big guns. The workout suggests that high-intensity interval workouts like HIIT appear to be best for reducing free radical damage and boosting collagen in the skin.
"If you are choosing to tailor your workout to also benefit your skin, then it’s important to remember that caring for it topically is also of paramount importance, explained Sturnam. "However you exercise, sweating is inevitable, and while this is an important bodily function for removing toxins and impurities, leaving it on the skin can result in clogged pores and dehydration. If you’re not removing the sweat from the skin, then all the hard work you have done in your skin boosting exercise regime becomes redundant."
Keep scrolling for the best workout beauty buys to keep that glowing skin intact.
A first of its kind, you actually apply this skincare stick to your face before your exercise. The harder you work out, the more the motion-activated formula produces better results for your skin. This one is designed to supercharge that post-workout glow.
This electric cleansing tool uses sonic pulsations to deeply cleanse skin and unclog pores. Use it before and after your workout to keep your skin healthy.
Related: This £29 Beauty Tool Completely Changed My Skincare Routine for the Better
A skin-refreshing blend of hyaluronic acid, coconut water, eucalyptus and mint that you can use during or after exercise (or as a pick-me-up during particularly busy days).
If you're exercising outdoors, then it's super important to wear an SPF to protect your skin from the sun. This lightweight foundation provides a little coverage with a matte finish, alongside SPF 40, so your skin will be covered.
An uplifting blend of essential oils to help you calm and de-stress (and therefore promote happier skin). My kind of a workout.
Next: VB, Kim K and Meghan Markle Never Get on a Plane Without These Products
