The Effects of Exercise on Skin Health: Benefits, Risks, and Preventive Strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2025.47.66596Keywords
phisycal activity, Skin health, dermatology, effects of exercise on skin, photoagingAbstract
Introduction and Purpose
Physical activity has a great impact on skin health. It has been shown to improve microcirculation, enhance oxygenation, support collagen synthesis, and reduce chronic inflammation, thereby contributing to better skin condition and delayed aging. However, certain types of exercise and training environments may also expose the skin to increased risks of irritation, infections, and photoaging.
Aim of the Study
The aim of this study was to analyze and summarize the current knowledge regarding the impact of regular physical activity on skin physiology, aging processes, dermatological conditions, and associated risk factors.
Material and Methods
A review of relevant literature was conducted using sources retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar.
Conclusion
Physical activity has a predominantly positive impact on skin health. It improves circulation, reduces inflammation, enhances regeneration, and contributes to the prevention and improvement of dermatological conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. However, the skin of physically active individuals is also more prone to damage from UV radiation, infections, and mechanical stress. Proper skin care, hygiene, and photoprotection are essential for maintaining skin health in active populations.
References
Lopez-Ojeda W, Pandey A, Alhajj M, et al. Anatomy, Skin (Integument) [Updated 2022 Oct 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441980/
Simmons GH, Wong BJ, Holowatz LA, Kenney WL. Changes in the control of skin blood flow with exercise training: where do cutaneous vascular adaptations fit in? Exp Physiol. 2011 Sep;96(9):822-8. doi: 10.1113/expphysiol.2010.056176. Epub 2011 May 20. PMID: 21602295; PMCID: PMC3754812.
Michael J. Buono, Kevin P. Connolly, Increases in sweat rate during exercise: Gland recruitment versus output per gland, Journal of Thermal Biology, Volume 17, Issues 4–5,1992,Pages 267-270, ISSN 0306-4565,https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4565(92)90065-N.
Sears ME, Kerr KJ, Bray RI. Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat: a systematic review. J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:184745. doi:10.1155/2012/184745. PMID: 22505948. PMCID: PMC3312275. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/184745
Stauber JL, Florence TM. A comparative study of copper, lead, cadmium and zinc in human sweat and blood. Sci Total Environ. 1988;74:235-247. doi:10.1016/0048-9697(88)90140-4. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(88)90140-4
Lee JF, Barrett-O'Keefe Z, Garten RS, et al. Evidence of microvascular dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Heart. 2016;102(4):278-284. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308403. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308403
Knottnerus ILH, Ten Cate H, Lodder J, Kessels F, van Oostenbrugge RJ. Endothelial dysfunction in lacunar stroke: a systematic review. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2009;27(5):519–526. doi:10.1159/000212672. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1159/000212672
Sörensen BM, van der Heide FCT, Houben AJHM, et al. Higher levels of daily physical activity are associated with better skin microvascular function in type 2 diabetes—The Maastricht Study. Microcirculation. 2020;27(4):e12611. doi:10.1111/micc.12611. PMID: 31997430. PMCID: PMC7317394. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/micc.12611
Scarfò G, Daniele S, Chelucci E, et al. Regular exercise delays microvascular endothelial dysfunction by regulating antioxidant capacity and cellular metabolism. Sci Rep. 2023;13:17671. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-44928-4. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44928-4
Scarfò, G., Daniele, S., Chelucci, E. et al. Regular exercise delays microvascular endothelial dysfunction by regulating antioxidant capacity and cellular metabolism. Sci Rep 13, 17671 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44928-4
Gary A. Tew, J.M. Saxton, G.J. Hodges,Exercise training and the control of skin blood flow in older adults,The Journal of nutrition, health and aging, Volume 16, Issue 3, 2012, Pages 237-241, ISSN 1279-7707, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-011-0156-8.
Lenasi, Helena. (2014). Physical exercise and skin microcirculation. Periodicum Biologorum. 116. 21-28.
Ricard-Blum S. The collagen family. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2011;3(1):a004978. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a004978. PMID: 21421911. PMCID: PMC3003457. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a004978
Nishikori S, Yasuda J, Murata K, et al. Resistance training rejuvenates aging skin by reducing circulating inflammatory factors and enhancing dermal extracellular matrices. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):10214. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-37207-9. PMID: 37353523. PMCID: PMC10290068. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37207-9
Perera PY, Lichy JH, Waldmann TA, Perera LP. The role of interleukin-15 in inflammation and immune responses to infection: implications for its therapeutic use. Microbes Infect. 2012;14(3):247-261. doi:10.1016/j.micinf.2011.10.006. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micinf.2011.10.006
Perera PY, Lichy JH, Waldmann TA, Perera LP. The role of interleukin-15 in inflammation and immune responses to infection: implications for its therapeutic use. Microbes Infect. 2012;14(3):247-261. doi:10.1016/j.micinf.2011.10.006. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micinf.2011.10.006
Crane JD, MacNeil LG, Lally JS, et al. Exercise-stimulated interleukin-15 is controlled by AMPK and regulates skin metabolism and aging. Aging Cell. 2015;14(4):625-634. doi:10.1111/acel.12341. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.12341
Yasuda K, Nakanishi K, Tsutsui H. Interleukin-18 in health and disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(3):649. doi:10.3390/ijms20030649. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20030649
Liang L, Ding H, Zhang Y, Li L, Qian Y. Anti-skin aging effects of aerobic and resistance exercise via IL-18/IL-18R pathway in SAMP8 mice: 2749. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2024;56(10S):1022. doi:10.1249/01.mss.0001061392.96305.06. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0001061392.96305.06
Pence BD, Woods JA. Exercise, obesity, and cutaneous wound healing: evidence from rodent and human studies. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2014;3(1):71-79. doi:10.1089/wound.2012.0377. PMID: 24761347. PMCID: PMC3900100. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1089/wound.2012.0377
Berrueta L, Muskaj I, Olenich S, et al. Stretching impacts inflammation resolution in connective tissue. J Cell Physiol.2016;231(7):1621-1627. doi:10.1002/jcp.25263. PMID: 26588184. PMCID: PMC5222602. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.25263
Hachenberger J, Teuber Z, Li YM, et al. Investigating associations between physical activity, stress experience, and affective wellbeing during an examination period using experience sampling and accelerometry. Sci Rep. 2023;13:8808. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-35987-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35987-8
Harvard Health. (2020, July 7). Exercising to relax. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax
Thau L, Gandhi J, Sharma S. Physiology, Cortisol. [Updated 2023 Aug 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/
Pujos M, Chamayou-Robert C, Parat M, et al. Impact of chronic moderate psychological stress on skin aging: exploratory clinical study and cellular functioning. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(1):e16634. doi:10.1111/jocd.16634. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16634
De Nys L, Anderson K, Ofosu EF, Ryde GC, Connelly J, Whittaker AC. The effects of physical activity on cortisol and sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2022;143:105843. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105843. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105843
Margaret Altemus, Babar Rao, Firdaus S. Dhabhar, Wanhong Ding, Richard D. Granstein, Stress-Induced Changes in Skin Barrier Function in Healthy Women, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Volume 117, Issue 2, 2001, Pages 309-317, ISSN 0022-202X, https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1747.2001.01373.x.
Yeroushalmi S, Hakimi M, Chung M, et al. Psoriasis and exercise: a review. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2022;12:189-197. doi:10.2147/PTT.S349791. PMID: 35813078. PMCID: PMC9258800. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2147/PTT.S349791
Zheng Q, Sun XY, Miao X, et al. Association between physical activity and risk of prevalent psoriasis: a MOOSE-compliant meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(27):e11394. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000011394. PMID: 29979432. PMCID: PMC6076093. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000011394
Afvari S, Beck TC, Kazlouskaya M, Afrahim R, Valdebran M. Diet, sleep, and exercise in inflammatory skin diseases. Our Dermatol Online. 2023;14(4):430-435. doi:10.7241/ourd.20234.21. PMID: 38161767. PMCID: PMC10755759. Available from: https://doi.org/10.7241/ourd.20234.21
Guerra KC, Toncar A, Krishnamurthy K. Miliaria. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. Updated 2024 Sep 1. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537176/
Takahagi S, Tanaka A, Hide M. Sweat allergy. Allergol Int. 2018;67(4):435-441. doi:10.1016/j.alit.2018.07.002. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alit.2018.07.002
Lanzi GL. Facial injuries in sports, soft tissue injuries (abrasions, contusions, lacerations). Clin Sports Med.2017;36(2):287-298. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2016.11.008. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csm.2016.11.008
Mills OH Jr, Kligman A. Acne mechanica. Arch Dermatol. 1975;111(4):481-483.
Nigam PK, Syed HA, Saleh D. Tinea Pedis. [Updated 2023 Oct 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470421/
Leung AK, Barankin B, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL. Tinea pedis: an updated review. Drugs Context. 2023;12:2023-5-1. doi:10.7573/dic.2023-5-1. PMID: 37415917. PMCID: PMC10321471. Available from: https://doi.org/10.7573/dic.2023-5-1
Sedgwick PE, Dexter WW, Smith CT. Bacterial dermatoses in sports. Clin Sports Med. 2007;26(3):383-396. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2007.04.008. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csm.2007.04.008
Brancaccio M, Mennitti C, Laneri S, et al. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: risk for general infection and endocarditis among athletes. Antibiotics (Basel). 2020;9(6):332. doi:10.3390/antibiotics9060332. PMID: 32570705. PMCID: PMC7345113. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9060332
Karanika S, Kinamon T, Grigoras C, Mylonakis E. Colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and risk for infection among asymptomatic athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Infect Dis. 2016;63(2):195-204. doi:10.1093/cid/ciw240. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciw240
Tertipi, N.; Kefala, V.; Papageorgiou, E.; Rallis, E. Prevalence of Common Viral Skin Infections in Beach Volleyball Athletes. Viruses 2021, 13, 2107. https://doi.org/10.3390/v13112107
Adams BB. Which skin infections are transmitted between athletes? West J Med. 2001;174(5):352-353. PMCID: PMC1071398. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1071398/
Amaro-Ortiz A, Yan B, D'Orazio JA. Ultraviolet radiation, aging and the skin: prevention of damage by topical cAMP manipulation. Molecules. 2014;19(5):6202-6219. doi:10.3390/molecules19056202. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules19056202
Gromkowska-Kępka KJ, Puścion-Jakubik A, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Socha K. The impact of ultraviolet radiation on skin photoaging: review of in vitro studies. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021;20(11):3427-3431. doi:10.1111/jocd.14033. PMID: 33655657. PMCID: PMC8597149. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14033
Orestes G, Hash MG, Trias T, et al. Endurance athletes and skin aging: mechanisms, risks, and protective strategies. Dermatol Open J. 2025;10.35702/Derm.10032. doi:10.35702/Derm.10032. Available from: https://doi.org/10.35702/Derm.10032
Harrison SC, Bergfeld WF. Ultraviolet light and skin cancer in athletes. Sports Health. 2009;1(4):335-340. doi:10.1177/1941738109338923. PMID: 23015891. PMCID: PMC3445124. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738109338923
Kliniec, K.; Tota, M.; Zalesińska, A.; Łyko, M.; Jankowska-Konsur, A. Skin Cancer Risk, Sun-Protection Knowledge and Behavior in Athletes—A Narrative Review. Cancers 2023, 15, 3281. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15133281
Gilaberte, Y., Trullàs, C., Granger, C. et al. Photoprotection in Outdoor Sports: A Review of the Literature and Recommendations to Reduce Risk Among Athletes. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 12, 329–343 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-021-00671-0
Ventura MT, Dagnello M, Matino MG, Di Corato R, Giuliano G, Tursi A. Contact dermatitis in students practicing sports: incidence of rubber sensitisation. Br J Sports Med. 2001;35(2):100-102. doi:10.1136/bjsm.35.2.100. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.35.2.100
Ventura MT, Dagnello M, Matino MG, Di Corato R, Giuliano G, Tursi A. Contact dermatitis in students practicing sports: incidence of rubber sensitisation. Br J Sports Med. 2001;35(2):100-102. doi:10.1136/bjsm.35.2.100. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.35.2.100
Brooks, C.D., Kujawska, A. & Patel, D. Cutaneous Allergic Reactions Induced by Sporting Activities. Sports Med 33, 699–708 (2003). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200333090-00005
Pujalte GGA, Costa LMC, Clapp AD, Presutti RJ, Sluzevich JC. More than skin deep: dermatologic conditions in athletes. Sports Health. 2023;15(1):74-85. doi:10.1177/19417381211065026. PMID: 35034516. PMCID: PMC9808835. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/19417381211065026
Brooks C, Kujawska A, Patel D. Cutaneous allergic reactions induced by sporting activities. Sports Med. 2003;33(9):699-708. doi:10.2165/00007256-200333090-00005. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200333090-00005
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Aleksandra Walendzik, Joanna Duda, Jakub Kędzia, Alicja Obcowska, Paweł Racisz, Kinga Racisz, Łukasz Sencerek

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 140
Number of citations: 0