When we talk about daily movement and exercise, it’s often in the sense of heart health, weight loss, and other internal health reasons. And movement IS great for our health, but do you know what it’s also great for? Our skin!

Exercising or just getting your body moving helps your largest organ (your skin) to be healthier by creating natural lymphatic detoxification, circulation + oxygen flow, and structural support. After reading this article, you’ll be adding daily movement to your skincare routine. Let me break it down for you!

Remember, movement should feel good! If something feels too intense, slow down or modify. And before starting any new fitness or wellness routine, it’s always smart to check with your doctor to make sure it’s right for you.

scrub me secret: There are so many ways to exercise and move your body! Try everything out and see what you like and what you don’t like. Maybe you try running or bike riding, and you hate it, try a dance class or a HIIT class. Maybe yoga is your thing. In the last section i’ll talk more about ways we can move. My favorites? Cycling, biking, and weight-lifting

The Connection Between Movement & Radiant Skin

So, how can exercise actually make your skin glow? Daily movement improves skin appearance naturally by driving nutrients to skin cells and tissues via oxygen flow and circulation. More oxygen and nutrient flow equals youthful, glowing skin; skin that stays bouncier, more radiant, and healthier for longer. Yes please!

And here’s another connection between fitness and clear, healthy skin: movement and regular physical activity help your lymphatic system work its best. When your lymphatic system is functioning properly, it creates detoxification that helps keep your complexion clear by reducing some breakouts and redness that comes from inflammation.

scrub me secret: our lymphatic system does not have its own “pumping system” as our heart does for pumping blood throughout the body. That’s why we need movement or massage to help our lymphatic system to flow and function properly.

How Exercise Improves Circulation & Oxygen Flow to The Skin

Exercise increases blood flow to the skin by raising your body temperature (even if it’s slightly). When body temp is increased, blood vessels in the skin dilate to help release heat, resulting in an oxygen as well as circulation boost. Oxygen and circulation benefit skin health by keeping muscles, tissues, and cells happy, strong, and alive.

Collagen and elastin cells, which are responsible for keeping skin firm and smooth, are important proteins depleted over our lifetime, and that is what leads to wrinkles and sagging skin. Circulation and oxygen flow keep collagen and elastin alive and support other skin functions.

scrub me secret: does working out improve skin tone? Exercise that improves muscle tone (like weightlifting, pilates, and body weight exercises, just to name a few) makes skin appear firmer and smoother, creating an overall toning. There are also studies that show that these types of exercise can increase dermal thickness and improve collagen and elastin strength.

Movement & Lymphatic Drainage: Your Body’s Natural Detox System

The lymphatic system is like your body’s inner drainage network, helping flush out toxins and keep things flowing smoothly. It supports immunity, balances fluids, and moves waste out of your tissues. Lymph fluid travels alongside blood flow, passing through lymph vessels (separate from blood vessels) and then through lymph nodes, where it's filtered. Eventually, the clean lymph drains into the bloodstream near the heart, at the subclavian veins. This is important for clearer skin and overall detoxification in the body.

Movement helps lymphatic flow, and on the contrary, a lack of movement results in stagnant lymphatic fluid where toxins build up. This toxin buildup oftentimes results in acne, inflammation, and puffiness. Improved lymphatic drainage reduces acne naturally.

Gentle exercises like simple squatting and standing up can boost lymph flow for glowing skin and less puffiness. Yoga and stretching improve lymphatic flow for skin health as well. This is because you’re bending in places that stimulate major lymphatic drainage points, like behind your knees, underarms, and groin area. It’s natural lymphatic detox!

Reducing Stress Hormones For Clearer Skin

Stress affects your skin clarity by creating inflammation throughout the body that can result in some skin issues like breakouts, hives, or ruddy skin tone. Exercise and movement reduce stress levels and help your body fight inflammation. This is another way that daily movement and finding types of exercise you love can improve your overall skin health and beauty.

scrub me secret: Did you ever think there would be a link between mental health and glowing skin? Well there is! And it’s science proves it. Less stress equals less inflammation in the body, and that means clearer, glowing skin.

Simple Movement Habits for Better Skin Health

Daily movement doesn’t have to mean exercise! I’m a firm believer in finding ways to better your health and skin health that don’t seem like torture or daunting tasks. Finding ways to improve your health that feel enjoyable to you is the key to sticking with them and forming new habits.

Here are a few simple daily movements you can do that will help your skin to be more youthful, healthy, and clear. These are for the days that you can’t stand the thought of exercising but need to find some movement (and no judgment if that’s everyday for you 😉 )

Best low-impact exercises for radiant skin:

sometimes it’s as simple as stopping to squat down on a walk

Simply squatting up and down: you can modify by sitting down in a chair and then standing up again, then raising your arms above your head when standing. Do this for a couple of minutes.

Lay flat on your back, bend your arms at the elbow joints, then bend your knees, hugging them into your chest if that feels good for your body. Sit up gently, then roll your head in a circle, and circle in the opposite direction.

Walking, as fast or slow as you want. Move your arms as you walk.

If you have access to a swimming pool, any movement in the water is very low impact. Great for anyone with injuries.

scrub me secret: do you know what you could also try? Dance like no one is watching! And that’s a big mood booster too.

Are you interested in more daily habits for natural anti-aging and skin glow? My blog posts like Hot Drinks for Major Skin & Health Benefits, Hot/Cold Shower Routine, Elevate Your Lifestyle with My Top 9 Wellness Rituals for Mindful Living, and Relaxation & Meditation Tools. It’s so cool how we can heal our skin in other ways other than just applying skincare (even though I adore a great product). I love it all!

The Surprising Link Between Daily Movement and Healthy, Youthful Skin