How Yoga Helps To Cure Acne

Yoga benefits weight loss, depression, constipation, spondylitis, back pain, and even pregnancy. We all know that. But yoga for a blemish free skin free from acne? Sounds bizarre? To a certain extent, yoga can do wonders in easing acne troubles. While yoga cannot ward of breakouts caused by genetic disposition, it can offer relief from stress and promote circulation to the affected area.

So, how exactly does yoga help in curing acne? Read through…

  1.  Yoga is a low impact aerobic exercise that when practiced regularly promotes overall well-being and happiness.
  2. It eases stress levels and lowers the cortisol levels.
  3. The blood circulation gets a fabulous boost, aiding skin to absorb nutrients in a better way! The better the blood circulation is, the clearer the skin will be!

[ Read: How Use Rosehip Oil To Treat Acne ]

All these factors work in harmony, offering cure for acne.

Here are few easy to do asanas that could help you combat your acne troubles.

The 5 Yoga Poses For Acne

All inversion yoga poses are ideal for acne as they promote blood circulation. However, extreme care must be exerted by practicing inversions, especially if you are new to yoga. The poses that I have mentioned here are quite simple and can be practiced at home.

1. Uttanasana – Standing Forward Bend

Bending forward from the hips has a calming effect on your nervous system. It regulates the functioning of hormones and relaxes you facial muscles, a major trigger for acne. It also improves digestion and better absorption of nutrients.


How To Do:

  1. Stand straight, navel sucked in, legs spread out at hips width.
  2. Inhale and lift your hands above your head.
  3. Exhale and bend forward from the hips, while hands are bought down simultaneously, aligned with the ear.
  4. Keep bending forward with each exhalation till your palms are flat on the floor.
  5. Hold the pose for 10 deep breaths.
  6. Inhale, place your hands on your hips, bend your knees, and come back to starting position.

This makes one repetition. Do 5 such repetitions.

[ Read: How To Use Avocado Oil For Acne Treatment ]

2. Paschimottanasana – Seated Forward Bend

A mild seated inversion pose, it eases your stress. At the same time, the forward bending allows better flow of blood to the facial region, eliminating the free radicals triggering acne.


How To Do:

  1. Sit on the mat with spine and head erect, legs stretched out, and hands resting along your body.
  2. Inhale and lift your hands over your head.
  3. Exhale, bend your knees gently, bend forward from the waist and let the hands hold the toes.
  4. Inhale and stretch your knees completely.
  5. Hold the pose for 10 deep breaths.
  6. Take a deep inhalation, release and relax.

This makes on repetition. Do 5 such rounds.

[ Read: How To Use Multani Mitti For Acne ]

3. Setu Bhandasana – Bridge Pose

Inversion poses such as Chakrasana, Salamba Sarvangasana, and Shirshasana are quite effective in easing out acne, but those who are new to yoga and have shoulder or neck injuries should refrain from these poses. Setu Bhandasana or the Bridge is also an inversion that bestows you with similar benefits.

Setu Bandhasana Vinyasa

How To Do:

  1.  Lie down on your back hands beside your body.
  2. Bend your knees and separate it at hip width.
  3. Take an inhalation and lift your hips, allowing your hands to rest on the floor.
  4. With each inhalation, keeping lifting the hip up, keeping shoulders relaxed. If possible, hold the ankle.
  5. Hold the pose for 10 deep breaths
  6. . Exhale, release, and relax.

This makes one repetition. Do 5 such times.

[ Read: How To Get Rid of Chin Acne ]

4. Kapalbhati – Skill Cleansing Breath

This breathing exercise is a powerful cleanser. While inhalation is passive, the exhalations are powerful and forceful. If you are a beginner, make sure you are leaning against a wall to avoid back pain, a common side effect of this breathing technique. It purifies the blood by eliminating the toxins accumulated via exhalations.


How To Do:

  1.  Sit in any comfortable seating pose. Lean against a wall for additional back support.
  2. Keep your spine erect and neutral. Head and shoulders should be relaxed.
  3. Rest your hands on your thighs, palms folded into Gyan mudra. [Index and thumb fingertips in contact with each other.
  4. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths to prepare your body for Kapalbhati.
  5. After the final exhalation, take a deep inhalation.
  6. Place your right palm on your tummy, suck in the tummy, and exhale forcefully and continuously while flapping your abdomen. Make sure that your torso remains still.
  7. Inhalations should strictly be passive.
  8. Do 25 such exhalations.
  9. Take one round of normal breathing.
  10. Release and relax.

This makes one round. Do 3 such rounds of 25 exhalations.

[ Read: How To Use Clove Oil To Cure Acne ]

5. Savasana – Corpse Pose

Bring your yoga regimen for acne to a peaceful end with Corpse pose. An entirely relaxing pose, it soothes the mind and body alike and lets healing take place.

Corpse Pose

How To Do:

  1. Lie on the yoga mat on your back.
  2. Stretch your legs and arms slightly away from the body, palms facing up, fingers slightly curled.
  3. Lift your head and keep it back for allowing an extra space for the neck.
  4. Relax your shoulders.
  5. Close your eyes and focus on your breath.
  6. With each inhalation your abdomen should rise and with exhalation it should fall closer to the spine.
  7. Relax completely and lie down till you feel you are completely relaxed.

Practice these asanas regularly and see the difference they bring to your acne and health!