Exercising, and especially weight lifting, comes with a lot of benefits. It’s not only good for your heart, but also for your brain and mental health.

But for some people, (Criminal) These health benefits are sometimes not enough to motivate them to workout. But what if we tell you that lifting weights can clear your skin and get rid of those persistent acne breaksouts you’ve been struggling with?

Is it inspiring enough?

The connection between weight lifting and clear skin

We’ve all seen the transformation videos where fitness enthusiasts get a glowing face after a year of consistently exercising and eating clean.

However, apart from their physical features, there is another notable transformation: their face. In simple terms, in these videos, the person undergoing the transformation usually has a much clearer skin. Reason? He says it’s his exercise and weight lifting.

We know that at first glance, the ideas of lifting weights and getting clear skin might seem unrelated.

However, according to some fitness experts on social media, lifting a 20 kg barbell not only strengthens your muscles but also brings a glow to your face.

Watch some videos:

But what do the experts say?

Dr Rinky Kapoor, cosmetic dermatologist and dermato-surgeon at The Aesthetic Clinics, Mumbai, tells us that regular exercise or weight lifting not only improves our health but also makes our skin look healthy and clear.

She further adds that physical movement can improve blood circulation, resulting in smooth and flawless skin.

“Exercise reduces stress and releases feel-good hormones like dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin, which can be highly beneficial for your skin and overall health,” says Dr. Rinke.

Dr. Shaurya Thakran, skin and laser specialist and founder of New Delhi-based Raksha Aesthetics, agrees. He says resistance training activities like weight lifting can improve skin health by increasing blood flow and promoting collagen production.

“This can cause the skin layer to become denser and more elastic, which can lead to fewer wrinkles and better overall skin health,” says Dr. Thakran.

‘There is no direct connection’

However, dermatologist and founding medical director of Bodycraft Dr Mikki Singh has a different take on this. She tells us that while lifting weights can have a positive effect on your skin, it’s not a “direct cause-and-effect relationship.”

He explains that not only lifting weights is enough, but a combination of regular exercise and weight lifting improves overall blood circulation, which in turn promotes healthy skin by delivering more oxygen and nutrients.

“This increased blood circulation helps remove toxins and cellular debris from the skin, potentially leading to a clearer skin complexion. In addition, physical activity can reduce stress, which is a known trigger for acne and other skin problems,” she adds.

Dr. Mickey is right too.

A 2014 study suggests that physical activity has long been known to be beneficial for health, and regular exercise is helpful in relieving stress.

The aim of the study was to assess multidimensional responses, i.e. physiological (heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol in saliva) and psychological (anxiety, positive mood) in order to compare the stress levels of a healthy individual with that of a person who performs regular physical exercise.

And they found that stress levels were significantly higher in the former.

Another scientific study in 2017 showed that stress can make your acne worse.

Does it also get rid of wrinkles?

Wrinkles are one of the first signs of aging and experts believe that exercise can be a good way to fight wrinkles.This means that if you exercise you can look younger).

Dr. Singh explains indiatoday Exercise can stimulate collagen production, which is important for maintaining skin elasticity and reducing the formation of wrinkles. He also says that:

• Exercise improves blood circulation, which gives your skin more oxygen and nutrients, helping to keep it looking youthful.
• Building muscle through weight lifting can provide a stronger base for your skin, making it appear tighter and less saggy.
• Reducing stress levels through regular exercise and weight lifting can reduce the likelihood of stress-related skin problems, including wrinkles.

What about acne at the gym?

Not everyone who starts working out has glass-like skin. Some people actually experience something called “gym acne” – pimples that appear after they start working out. However, experts point out that gym acne has nothing to do with working out or lifting weights. It’s usually caused by Due to negligence during workout,

For example, Dr. Kapoor suggests removing sweat from the face to prevent acne.

“If sweat stays on your face for too long, it can mix with bacteria and oils, which can lead to clogged pores, skin irritation, inflammation, and severe acne. It’s important to wipe off your sweat periodically while working out to avoid skin problems,” he says.

According to experts, another reason for getting acne at the gym could be touching your face while exercising, which causes bacteria and oil from dirty equipment to transfer to your face.

Here are some tips to avoid gym acne:

• Take a shower immediately after exercise: Cleanse your skin to remove sweat and bacteria.
• Wear clean clothes for exercise: Use fresh, airy clothes that wick away moisture from the skin.
• Avoid touching your face: Keep your hands away from your face to prevent the transfer of bacteria and oil.
• Use a clean towel: Wipe away sweat with a clean, soft towel instead of your hands.
• Remove makeup: Remove makeup before exercising to give your skin a chance to breathe.
• Clean the device: Wipe down gym equipment before and after use to reduce bacteria.
• Use non-comedogenic products: Choose skin care products that don’t clog pores.
• stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins and keep your skin healthy.
• Exfoliate regularly: Gently exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores.

BRB, it’s time for my workout.