If you want to add some inner glow to your exterior beauty routine, why not adopt a regular yoga practice? This ancient exercise and meditation form has multiple benefits — including for your complexion.
You don’t have to go on a retreat to reap the perks, either. A few minutes a day is all you need to produce results. Here are five benefits of yoga for your skin and why you should unroll your mat today.
1. It Encourages Hyaluronic Acid Production
If you see a dermatologist for injectable treatments, you might be familiar with those containing hyaluronic acid. You’ll also see this skin-savvy ingredient in over-the-counter and prescription medications. What is it? It’s an essential substance in your skin that gives it suppleness and bounce. As you age, you produce less of it.
However, you can bolster production with a relaxing, ooey-gooey yin yoga session. This slow form of yoga, which involves holding poses for anywhere from three to five minutes, inspires your body to ramp up output.
This substance can help ease the ache of creaky joints if you have arthritis. However, that’s not the only benefit. Increased levels of this substance also improve the overall elasticity of your skin, giving you a more youthful appearance.
2. It Increases Blood Flow to Your Skin
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and it requires blood flow to function at its best like any other tissue. Yoga is one way to get this vital liquid moving to your dermal surface, where it can whisk away impurities and deliver essential nutrients to cells.
You don’t need much knowledge at all to get started with your practice at home, even if you have never set foot in a studio before. Asanas like crescent and warrior II seem simple but work multiple muscles at the same time. You can find scores of instructional videos on YouTube to help you on your journey — for free.
3. It Can Reduce Inflammation
Holistic medicine practitioners have long advised a regular yoga practice for easing the aches of chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Science supports its use in reducing these painful disorders. Participants in a two-month yoga retreat increased levels of anti-inflammatory markers while simultaneously decreasing pro-inflammatory markers. They also tripled their BDNF levels, a critical molecule related to learning and memory.
The anti-inflammatory benefits of this ancient practice could help clear your skin if you suffer from conditions such as rosacea and psoriatic arthritis. Some dermatologists recommend adding daily yoga and meditation sessions to your beauty routine. Use caution around essential oils in the studio if you have sensitive skin. Exposure to some types may increase inflammation.
4. It Helps Balance Unruly Hormones
Do you notice that pimples invariably strike at the same time each month? The problem is likely a slight change in reproductive hormone levels. Yoga can help keep these in balance.
Your sex hormones aren’t the only culprits behind less-than-perfect skin. Cortisol is another bad boy that can wreak havoc on your complexion, spurring increased oil production that can clog pores. The result is acne. However, you can lower levels of this stress hormone through a routine yoga practice.
5. It Helps You Sweat Out Impurities
Scientists disagree on the value of things such as saunas in removing impurities. Your sweat is 99% water, but tests show that you also remove trace levels of toxins such as BPA, a chemical found in many plastics. The problem lies with conducting a large enough study to definitively prove that releasing tiny amounts of these impurities through the skin, as opposed to the kidneys and liver, has any noticeable health effect.
However, you can see the difference in your appearance. To maximize the benefits, wash your face immediately after your yoga session to remove any lingering toxins you sweated out through exercise. Drink plenty of water to help your body release any additional impurities.
Any physical activity gives you an instant rosy glow. Why not do an asana or two before your next date night? You won’t need blush to put the apples in your cheeks.
Reap the Benefits of Yoga for Your Skin
If you’re seeking a way to improve the appearance or health of your skin, why not reap the benefits of yoga for your skin? Adding this ancient practice to your beauty routine provides substantial perks!
