Exercise is widely recognised as one of the most effective interventions for improving overall health, reducing mortality and supporting healthy ageing.1-3 

As regenerative and aesthetic medicine and longevity medicine continue to converge, increasing attention is being paid to the lifestyle factors that influence biological ageing and skin health. 

Through its influence on cardiovascular health, metabolic function, sleep quality and muscle mass, physical activity may affect many of the biological processes that contribute to tissue ageing. Increasingly, researchers are beginning to explore what this means not only for overall health, but also for skin biology. 

Exercise as a longevity intervention  

The relationship between exercise and longevity is supported by a substantial body of evidence. Higher levels of physical activity have consistently been associated with reduced all-cause mortality, lower rates of cardiovascular disease and improvements in overall healthspan.2,3 

Importantly, both resistance training and cardiovascular exercise have independently been associated with favourable health outcomes and reduced mortality risk.2-5 Resistance training contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass and strength, while cardiovascular exercise improves cardiorespiratory fitness, often measured through VO₂ max, one of the strongest predictors of long-term health outcomes.4,5 

Muscle mass itself appears to play an important role in healthy ageing. Studies have demonstrated associations between greater muscular strength and lower mortality, highlighting skeletal muscle as more than simply a determinant of physical performance.6 It is increasingly recognised as an active endocrine organ capable of influencing systemic health through the release of signalling molecules known as myokines, discussed in more detail later.7 

Interestingly, some forms of exercise may offer additional advantages. Large population studies have reported particularly favourable mortality outcomes among individuals who regularly participate in racket sports.3 Proposed explanations include the combination of aerobic activity, muscular conditioning, balance, coordination and social engagement that these activities provide, all of which have been independently associated with healthy ageing and longevity.8 

For aesthetic practitioners, these observations are significant. As consultations increasingly incorporate discussions around healthy ageing and regenerative health, exercise should be viewed not simply as a lifestyle recommendation, but as a biological intervention capable of influencing many of the same pathways that underpin tissue ageing and regeneration. 

Exercise and the skin  

While the systemic benefits of exercise are well established, increasing research attention has been directed towards understanding how physical activity influences skin structure, function and ageing. Growing evidence suggests that exercise may affect the skin through both direct cellular signalling pathways and indirect improvements in overall physiological health. 

One of the most interesting areas of investigation involves myokines, bioactive signalling molecules released by skeletal muscle during exercise. These molecules facilitate communication between muscles and other tissues throughout the body, helping regulate inflammation, metabolism and cellular repair processes.7 Recent research has demonstrated that exercise-induced myokines may influence skin structure and function, potentially contributing to improvements in dermal thickness and tissue resilience.9 

This is particularly relevant given that thinning of the dermis is a recognised feature of skin ageing. By influencing pathways associated with tissue remodelling and repair, exercise may help support some of the biological processes involved in maintaining skin integrity over time.9 

Beyond myokine signalling, exercise may support skin health through improvements in circulation, nutrient delivery and sleep quality. However, despite these intrinsic benefits, physical activity can also expose the skin to a range of environmental and physiological stressors that may contribute to visible ageing, collectively known as the ‘exposome’.  

The skin stressors associated with exercise  

While exercise offers numerous benefits for overall health and may support healthy skin ageing through several intrinsic biological mechanisms, it can also expose the skin to a range of physiological and environmental stressors. 

One of the most immediate challenges is fluid loss. During prolonged or high-intensity exercise, individuals can lose substantial volumes of fluid through perspiration, potentially exceeding one litre per hour under certain conditions.10 Repeated fluid loss without adequate replacement may contribute to reduced skin hydration and may adversely affect skin barrier function.11 

Environmental exposures represent another important consideration. Outdoor runners, cyclists and athletes are subjected to greater cumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation and airborne pollutants, both of which are recognised contributors to extrinsic skin ageing. Ultraviolet radiation remains one of the primary drivers of collagen degradation, pigmentation changes and photoageing,12 while pollution has been associated with oxidative stress and skin barrier dysfunction.13 

Exercise environments themselves may also create challenges. Research examining hygiene within fitness facilities has demonstrated substantial bacterial contamination on frequently touched gym equipment, with some reports suggesting higher bacterial counts than those found on common household surfaces.14 Combined with sweating, repeated face touching and prolonged occlusion from hats, helmets or headbands, this may create conditions that contribute to congestion, irritation and exercise-related breakouts. 

Body composition may also influence facial appearance. Individuals who maintain very low levels of body fat, including some endurance athletes, may experience reduced facial fat volume. As facial fat compartments contribute to structural support and youthful facial contours, reductions in volume may accentuate hollowing of the temples, cheeks and periorbital region, features commonly associated with facial ageing.15 

Taken together, these observations highlight an important distinction. Exercise remains one of the most powerful interventions available for improving healthspan and reducing mortality risk, yet some of the environmental and physiological consequences associated with exercise may place additional demands on the skin. Recognising this balance allows practitioners to provide more informed guidance to patients seeking both longevity and skin health benefits. 

Supporting skin health around exercise  

Understanding how exercise affects the skin allows practitioners to provide more comprehensive guidance to patients seeking both longevity and skin health benefits. While many of the physiological benefits of exercise occur naturally, targeted strategies may help minimise environmental stressors and support optimal skin function. 

Hydration remains one of the simplest and most effective considerations. Ensuring adequate fluid intake before, during and after exercise helps support overall physiological function and may help maintain skin hydration, particularly during prolonged or high-intensity activity. For individuals participating in endurance events, prolonged exercise sessions or exercising in hot environments, electrolyte replacement may also be beneficial in supporting fluid balance and physiological function.16 

Photoprotection is equally important. Outdoor exercise can contribute substantially to cumulative ultraviolet exposure, making daily broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen an essential component of any skin health strategy.17 Practitioners may also wish to encourage patients to become familiar with the UV index, particularly during periods of prolonged outdoor activity when ultraviolet exposure can occur even on overcast days. 

Topical antioxidants may provide an additional layer of support. Vitamin C, in particular, has been extensively studied for its antioxidant properties and its role in protecting the skin against oxidative stress associated with ultraviolet radiation and environmental exposure.18 

While much attention is placed on pre-exercise skin preparation, the post-workout period may be equally important. Sweat, environmental pollutants, excess sebum and microbial contamination may remain on the skin following exercise, potentially contributing to irritation, congestion and skin barrier stress.13,14 

In recent years, hypochlorous acid products have become increasingly popular as a post-workout skincare solution due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.19 While these formulations may help reduce microbial burden and support skin hygiene, their primary role is the damage limitation, rather than the active support of skin recovery and regeneration. 

The compatibility of hypochlorous acid products within broader skincare routines should also be considered. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been shown to rapidly react with hypochlorous acid through redox reactions, which may limit the effectiveness of antioxidant-based skincare when the two are used together, so care should be taken when it comes to application timing.20 

Addressing the post-workout gap  

In my experience, the post-workout period remains an often-overlooked aspect of skin health. 

Supporting hydration, barrier function and recovery from environmental stressors may represent a more comprehensive approach to maintaining skin health in physically active individuals. 

This observation ultimately led me to develop Myokine Refresh. Through both clinical practice and my own active lifestyle, I became increasingly aware of the gap between exercise and skincare. Many active individuals understand the importance of cleansing, antioxidant protection and barrier support, yet access to a complete skincare routine is often impractical immediately after exercise. At the same time, I was seeing clinicians and patients turning to post-procedure hypochlorous acid sprays as a convenient post-workout solution, despite these products not being specifically designed for the exercise environment. 

Myokine Refresh was developed to address some of the skin challenges commonly associated with exercise. The formulation combines ingredients selected for their potential role in supporting hydration, skin barrier function, microbiome balance and protection against environmental stressors. They include:  

• Actibiome®: supports microbiome balance and has been investigated for its potential role in reducing visible redness and signs of skin stress.21 

• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): supports skin barrier function, reduces transepidermal water loss and has demonstrated benefits in pigmentation management and visible skin ageing.22-24 

• D-Panthenol (Provitamin B5): known for its hydrating, barrier-supportive and skin-conditioning properties, with evidence supporting its role in skin barrier recovery.25-27 

• Sepitonic™ M3: a mineral complex containing magnesium, zinc and copper, selected for its antioxidant and cellular energy-supporting properties.28 

• Squalane: a lightweight emollient that helps support hydration and reinforce the skin barrier.29 

• Allantoin: widely used for its soothing and skin-conditioning effects, helping to support skin comfort following environmental stress.30 

Together, these ingredients form the basis of a product designed specifically for the post-workout environment. The aim was to provide support during the period between exercise and a patient’s usual skincare routine, when access to conventional cleansing and skincare may be limited. Alternatively, for those who immediately cleanse and apply skincare after exercise, the product can be used after cleansing, before serums and SPF. 

Implications for practice  

Exercise remains one of the most powerful interventions available for improving healthspan, reducing mortality risk and supporting healthy ageing. As regenerative aesthetics increasingly intersects with longevity medicine, understanding how lifestyle factors influence tissue biology is becoming an important part of clinical practice. 

While exercise may expose the skin to a range of environmental and physiological stressors, these challenges should be viewed within the context of its overwhelmingly positive effects on overall health. Understanding both the benefits and limitations of exercise from a skin perspective allows practitioners to provide more comprehensive guidance and support patients beyond the treatments they receive in clinic.  

Disclosure: Dr Jordan Faulkner is the co-owner of Myokine Ltd.