It can be tough to keep your cool while you're exercising -- especially when your face turns bright red and sweat starts rolling off of your body. Even if you're just walking, you may notice that your face starts to redden. Not to worry -- most of the time, a red face is simply your body's natural reaction to exertion and warming up during exercise. But sometimes, a red face can also be a sign of a chronic skin condition, such as rosacea.
Dilated Blood Vessels
When you exercise, you're getting the blood flowing throughout your body. Your muscles start to heat up and you feel warm as your energy levels surge. When your body is under stress, it causes the blood vessels in the face to dilate, according to a study conducted at Murdoch University. When your blood vessels widen in the stress of exercise, blood flow to the face increases, which can cause redness and heat in the face.
Overheating
Your face may turn red during exercise simply because you're getting too hot. Facial flushing can be caused by a sudden change in temperature, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. This may occur when you're exercising outdoors in the heat, or may happen simply because you're working hard and pushing your body to heat up too quickly.
Rosacea
Rosacea, a chronic skin disorder that most often affects the face, is a common cause of facial redness and flushing. While rosacea can make your face red even when you're not exercising or exerting yourself, exercise can certainly trigger a flare or worsen redness. According to the National Rosacea Society, over 83 percent of people with rosacea note that their facial redness worsens when exercising.
Tone Down the Redness
If you want to keep your cool when exercising, try to exercise indoors, in air conditioning, during the cooler hours of the early morning or late evening. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, and wear lightweight cotton clothes that help keep you cool and dry. Opt for walking, stretching or swimming, if running and high-intensity exercises worsen your facial redness.
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