I've not been on these boards a while, but I wanted to share my experiences in the hope it may help someone.

I'm nearing 39 years old, suffered from acne most of my life now. I was on varying doses of accurate since the age of 16-35. I had varying degrees of success at different points, but ultimately it was a temporary fix for me.

My diet since 30 has been ultra clean, no dairy, no sugar, and so on. For most of my late 20's and 30's I've enjoyed weightlifting, a good way to distress. However, my oily complexion persisted.

Then the covid pandemic happened. Gyms were closed, and I was forced instead to undertake more cardio and some home calisthenics to try to keep relatively fit. I was never a good runner, but I embraced the challenge and slowly began to enjoy a quiet morning run beside the sea (I live on the coast).

As the weeks passed, I noticed my skin was no longer oily and itchy, my complexion became smooth and acne free. I could even eat what I wanted (within limits) and wouldn't face the punishment of a breakout. I'd noticed something similar previously after an injury, but I never made the link.

As lockdown began to end, I returned to the gym to ease myself back into lifting. I was excited to do so. My diet unchanged, within a week or so of returning I began noticing my face, back and chest becoming much more oily, with breakouts frequently occurring. I'd feel particularly greasy after any meal I ate, to the point where I didn't want to eat if I was at work. You know that feeling of needing a wash at midday, but knowing it was quite some time before being able to leave the office to do so?

Regretfully therefore, I've had to stop lifting. I have reverted to jogging and some light calisthenics to try keep at least some definition. I've lost all mass I used to have, and am now quite average looking. I do have to try balance the calisthenics aspect also, as even doing too much here also increases my sebum production. I use the regime to help keep this under wraps somewhat.

And so this is where I'm at. A part of me is happy I've found the trigger to something that's blighted most of my life, my relationships and career; I just wish it was no longer a consideration and I didn't have to undertake this balancing act between fitness, diet and acne.