Professor Caitriona Ryan on Newstalk Moncrieff: Exercise and Your Skin

Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist and Co-Founder of the Institute of Dermatologists, joined Fionnuala Jones on Newstalk's Moncrieff show to discuss one of the most common questions she hears in clinic: does exercise affect your skin, and if so, how?

The short answer is yes, and almost entirely for the better.

Why exercise is good for your skin

Exercise has a direct and positive impact on skin health. It increases blood flow and oxygenation to the skin, supports collagen and hyaluronic acid production, and improves dermal thickness. It also reduces inflammation throughout the body, which includes the skin.

Indirectly, exercise improves sleep quality and reduces stress levels, both of which have a significant impact on overall skin health and condition.

The evidence is clear. Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your skin, alongside daily SPF and a good skincare routine.

Red cheeks after exercise: is it normal?

Yes. Flushing during exercise is a sign that your cardiovascular system is working well, distributing oxygen and nutrients efficiently around the body.

For people with rosacea, the face may flush more easily and more visibly than others. This is due to the way blood vessels in rosacea-prone skin react to heat, exertion and other triggers. It will settle after exercise and is not harmful.

If redness during outdoor exercise is something you are self-conscious about, a tinted mineral SPF can help. Professor Ryan wears EltaMD UV Clear Tinted when exercising outdoors.

Acne and exercise: what you need to know

A common concern Professor Ryan hears is that exercise will make acne worse. In most cases, the opposite is true. Exercise helps reduce inflammation in the body, which can have a positive effect on acne-prone skin.

The key is cleansing properly after exercise. Leaving sweat, oil and makeup on the skin for extended periods can contribute to breakouts, but the exercise itself is not the cause.

Wearing makeup to the gym is also fine. Modern formulations are largely non-comedogenic, meaning they do not block pores. The important step is thorough cleansing after your workout.

Bacne and body breakouts

If you experience breakouts on your back, chest or scalp, the most common cause is not the exercise itself but what happens afterwards.

Staying in warm, sweaty gym clothes for too long after a workout creates an environment where bacteria on the skin surface can multiply. Professor Ryan's advice is simple: shower as soon as possible after exercise, particularly if you are prone to this type of breakout.

Gym clothing also matters. Synthetic fabrics that trap sweat against the skin can contribute to breakouts. Choosing sweat-absorbent fabrics and washing gym kit regularly makes a real difference.

Other things worth checking:

• Headbands and hair accessories worn repeatedly without washing

• Helmet linings for cyclists or those playing contact sports

• Any item that sits against the skin for extended periods during exercise

Professor Ryan regularly sees forehead breakouts in young patients who play hurling or camogie, caused by the occlusive effect of a helmet worn repeatedly without cleaning.

Swimming and skin health

Swimming is excellent exercise, but chlorine can be drying and irritating, particularly for those with sensitive, eczema-prone or psoriasis-prone skin.

A few practical steps make a significant difference:

• Apply moisturiser before getting into the pool to protect the skin barrier

• Shower immediately after swimming using a gentle, moisturising wash to remove chlorine from the skin

• For children or adults with very sensitive skin, a soap substitute such as Elave or aqueous cream cleanses while also moisturising

If you have psoriasis and have noticed flaring after swimming, the chlorine may be drying the affected areas rather than triggering the psoriasis itself. Moisturising consistently and rinsing off thoroughly after each swim should help. Swimming should not be a deterrent.

Runner's face: the facts

Runner's face is a term used to describe a gaunt or hollowed appearance sometimes associated with long-distance running. It is not caused by running damaging or loosening the skin.

What people are actually noticing is fat loss in certain compartments of the face, particularly around the temples and the cheeks near the nose. Running, if anything, supports skin elasticity rather than reducing it.

Sun damage from running outdoors without SPF is a far more significant concern than any mechanical effect of running on the skin.

SPF when exercising outdoors

This point cannot be overstated. UV is present every single day in Ireland, including when it is overcast and cold. Cumulative daily UV exposure is one of the primary drivers of skin ageing and skin cancer, and people who exercise outdoors regularly are at higher risk if they are not protecting their skin.

Wear a broad-spectrum SPF every time you exercise outdoors, and reapply if you are out for an extended period.

At the Institute of Dermatologists, we recommend mineral zinc-based sunscreens such as EltaMD, which are well tolerated during exercise and suitable for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin.

The bottom line

Exercise is one of the most powerful things you can do for your overall health, and your skin is no exception. Cleanse after your workout, wear SPF outdoors, shower promptly if you are prone to body breakouts, and do not let skin concerns put you off moving your body.

The effort you put in now pays off for decades to come.

Professor Caitriona Ryan is a Consultant Dermatologist and Co-Founder of the Institute of Dermatologists, Dublin. Listen to the full interview on Newstalk Moncrieff.