Are Saunas Actually Good For Your Skin? A Derm Weighs In

Hopping in the sauna post-workout (or whenever you'd like) is a beloved practice for many. You may love it because it simply feels great, but there are plenty more reasons to commit to a daily or weekly sauna session, if you can.

First things first: Infrared saunas are better than traditional saunas in terms of skin benefits (although, both versions have benefits for overall well-being). "Infrared saunas are ideal for promoting overall skin health because the wavelengths penetrate skin directly to help increase circulation, detox the skin and unclog pores via sweating, and reduce inflammation," board-certified dermatologist Kim Nichols, M.D., FAAD, tells mbg. (For those wondering: No, sweating itself does not cause breakouts; it's when you let that sweat and bacteria linger on the skin that it can clog up those pores.)

Additionally, we know that heat can generally be a trigger for things like rosacea, acne, and dermatitis. However, infrared saunas may provide a loophole: "Because infrared saunas stimulate anti-inflammatory responses in the body, it is possible that symptoms could be alleviated," Nichols notes. 

And there you have it: Infrared saunas are, in fact, great for your skin in addition to your overall health, as long as you prep your skin accordingly.

Infrared saunas are great for the skin because they help detox and unclog pores via sweating, reduce inflammation, and increase circulation.