Is ‘Gym Face’ Real?

I recently had an interesting conversation with a customer about a term I’ve heard a lot lately - ‘gym face.’ It’s the idea that high-impact exercise could have ageing effects on the skin and I get asked about it often! Many of my clients have also wondered if it’s fact or fiction.

So, let’s dive into the truth behind the concept...

What is ‘Gym Face’?

‘Gym face’ is a term used to describe the potential sagging or ageing effects on the skin due to high-impact exercise, like running. With a quick Google search, you’ll find countless theories about why intense sports might lead to sagging skin or wrinkles. One common idea is that continuous bouncing motions somehow starve the fat pads in your face of oxygen, causing them to shrivel up and make your skin droop.

Is There Science Behind the Claims?

Thankfully, you’ll be delighted to hear, that there isn’t an ounce of science to backup that claim, however, it may help us uncover where this rumour started…

The Truth Behind ‘Gym Face’

More often than not, those who practise regular high impact exercises, tend to have a low body fat percentage. This can mean that with less fat cells to ‘plump’ the skin beneath the surface that lines appear more prominent. But this doesn’t mean that the workouts directly cause those lines, so where might they be coming from?

The Real Culprit: Sun Damage and Pollution

As many sports are practised in the great outdoors, it’s far more likely that any accelerated ageing is due to sun damage and pollution. You wouldn’t just have to be a runner to be affected by this either, those who play regular tennis, golf or even walk the dog daily, could experience exactly the same thing.

This is because sun damage and pollution are both scientifically-proven to destroy our collagen levels, which is what’s responsible for keeping our skin lifted, firm and smooth. 

How to Protect Your Skin

The good news? It takes almost no effort to preserve our skin! Make sure to incorporate two essential products into your routine:

• Super Youth Serum: Apply this every morning. It’s packed with vitamin C to protect against environmental damage.

• Sunbeam Cream - SPF 50: This acts as a shield across your face and stops the harmful UVA rays attacking your precious collagen.

These two simple steps will go a long way in preserving your skin’s firmness and keeping it youthful.

Exercise is Still a Must for Youthful Skin

While we’re on the subject of keeping your skin youthful, we all know that exercising is one of the best ways to keep your body youthful. Good cardiovascular health is one of the greatest indicators of longevity and therefore the benefits of exercise will always far outweigh any of the negatives.

Conclusion: ‘Gym Face’ is Preventable!

So now we know that ‘gym face’ is entirely preventable, whether you’re a keen tennis player or a long distance runner, keep practising! I truly believe that the best kind of sport is the one you enjoy doing, as you’re far more likely to be consistent with it.

As for me, I have the utmost respect for runners. I did a 10k with a friend once and hated it so much that I vowed never to do it again - nothing to do with vanity, just my lack of stamina 😂. You’ll find me in the yoga studio instead!