Yoga
Yoga helps increase blood circulation, improve flexibility and reduce stress. Improved blood flow contributes to a more radiant and healthy skin.
How to do:
- Start by taking deep inhales and exhales to focus your mind and body.
- Perform a series of movements, one pose at a time, gently, holding for a few breaths to increase flexibility and blood circulation. Sun salutation (or Surya namaskar) is considered a full body exercise because it is a combination of 12 asanas.
- Finish with a relaxing pose to stretch your muscles and relieve stress.
Cardio
Cardio promotes circulation and improves overall body function. The increased heart rate promotes blood flow, nourishing skin cells and keeping them healthy.
How to do:
- Warm up, starting with 5 - 10 minutes of light walking or jogging.
- Increase speed slowly. Gradually increase your speed to a brisk walk or jog.
- Finish by walking slowly and stretching.
Yoga for the face
These exercises target the facial muscles, firm the skin and reduce wrinkles, beautify the skin. These exercises stimulate collagen production, reduce wrinkles and keep the skin looking youthful. Facial exercises are great for skin care.
A study published in Jama Dermatology observed that regularly practicing facial yoga for 20 weeks helped plump up the mid- and lower face.
How to do:
- Place your fingers on your forehead and press down while raising your eyebrows. Hold for a few seconds and repeat.
- Smile brightly while placing your fingers on your cheeks and gently lifting the skin.
- Tilt your head back, then push your lower jaw forward to stretch your neck muscles.
Pilates
Pilates helps increase blood circulation and reduce stress, both of which improve skin health. A study published in the journal Muscle, Ligaments and Tendons also found that Pilates has therapeutic benefits because it creates muscle tension.
How to do:
- Start with leg rotations: Lie on your back with one leg extended straight up and rotate your leg in a circular motion.
- Roll up: Lie straight, then slowly roll up into a sitting position and then roll back down.
