Social media has encouraged many people to look beyond just moisturizer and face cleanser for their skin care. While some people may have a 10-step care routine and others may have a 5-step care routine, there are some basic skin care tips that help everyone. Everyone has their own style to dress for gym. While some prioritize comfort with baggy gym outfits, others like to keep it stylish in gym sets along with make-up. But is wearing make-up while sweating it out a good idea? The internet is divided but we delved deep into the conversation and it is definitely not a good idea. A recent scientific study delved into the effects of wearing makeup during exercise, revealing potential detrimental consequences for skin health. Researchers observed that makeup can impede the skin's natural cooling and oil-balancing mechanisms, leading to a cascade of issues.

What Does The Study Tells Us?

In the study published by the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, participants who applied foundation to half of their face before a workout, experienced increased moisture retention in the makeup-covered areas. This phenomenon can contribute to clogged pores, acne breakouts, and dry skin, as the makeup traps sweat and dirt, preventing the skin from breathing and regulating its oil production.

Why Skin Needs to Breathe During Exercise

During physical exertion, the body's core temperature rises, triggering a physiological response to cool itself down. The sweat glands release moisture onto the skin's surface, which then evaporates, dissipating heat and maintaining optimal body temperature. However, when makeup is present, it can create a barrier that hinders the evaporation process. This can lead to increased skin temperature, discomfort, and potential skin irritations. Additionally, the combination of sweat, oil, and makeup can clog pores and create a breeding ground for bacteria, increasing the risk of acne breakouts and other skin problems.

Risks of Wearing Makeup at the Gym

The potential risks of wearing makeup during exercise are multifaceted. Firstly, the occlusion of pores by makeup can lead to the accumulation of dirt, oil, and bacteria, resulting in clogged pores and subsequent acne breakouts. Secondly, the occlusive nature of makeup can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and a compromised skin barrier. Thirdly, eye makeup, such as mascara and eyeliner, can irritate the delicate eye area, increasing the risk of infections.

Is There A Middle Ground?

While it is generally advisable to avoid makeup during exercise, some individuals may find that a minimal amount can enhance their confidence and motivation. In such cases, it is crucial to select non-comedogenic products that are less likely to clog pores. Additionally, it is imperative to remove makeup immediately after the workout using a gentle cleanser to prevent skin issues. Here are some tips to clean your face properly to avoid any infections or breakouts,

Gentle Cleansing

A gentle cleanser is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Choose a cleanser that suits your skin type and use lukewarm water to avoid stripping away natural oils. Massage your face gently in circular motions and rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of dirt and makeup.

Regular Exfoliation

Exfoliating your skin 2-3 times a week helps remove dead skin cells, revealing a brighter complexion. However, it's important to avoid over-exfoliation, as it can irritate the skin. Opt for a gentle scrub and use it sparingly to maintain a healthy balance.

Toning Your Skin

A good toner can help balance your skin's pH level, minimize the appearance of pores, and hydrate your skin. Choose an alcohol-free toner to avoid drying out your skin. Apply it to your face using a cotton pad, gently patting it in.

Daily Moisturizing

Choose a moisturizer that suits your skin type and apply it generously to your face and neck. Don't forget to use a moisturizer with SPF during the day to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

Cleaning Your Tools

Regularly cleaning your makeup brushes and sponges is essential to prevent the buildup of bacteria. Use a gentle cleanser to wash your tools and allow them to air dry completely before using them again.

Colon cancer, medically known as colorectal cancer, was historically typical for people aged 50 or older. However, in recent years, the cancer that forms in the tissues of the large intestine has been increasing in prevalence in young adults. As many as one in five colorectal cancer patients today falls into this younger age group.

Now, a study published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology shows that marathons, which are one of the most celebrated physical activities, may be increasing the risk of the disease.

What Did The Study Find?

The team at Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Virginia, US, initiated the study after observing multiple “ultramarathoners” present to their cancer center with advanced colorectal cancer.

To probe the link, they recruited 100 runners to undergo colonoscopies — the gold standard for screening and preventing colorectal cancer. The team then looked at runners ages 35 to 50, who had either completed at least five marathons or two ultramarathons (any runs of 50 kilometers or more).

Presenting the findings at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, Dr. Timothy Cannon, an oncologist at the Institute, stated that

• Nearly 50 per cent of the participants in the study had polyps, which can become cancerous,
• 15 per cent had advanced adenomas (noncancerous tumor) which are likely to become cancerous.

Also read:Colorectal Cancer: UK Surgeon Warns Of 5 Silent Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Almost always, colon cancers start as small growths called polyps or precancerous lesions on the inner lining of the colon or rectum.

Moreover, the study found that the rate of advanced adenomas nearly tripled among the marathon runners, compared to the general population, at 4.5 -6 per cent.

How Does Ultra-running Spike Chance Of Developing Colon Cancer?

In general, running and other forms of exercise are known to reduce the risk of developing colon and other cancers. At the same time, exercise-induced gastrointestinal injury is also believed to be associated with reduced blood flow to the intestines during long-distance running.

Notably, to date there is no evidence that definitively shows running causes polyps.

The new study presents a correlation — an increasing relationship between long-distance running and advanced adenomas. It does not prove that running directly causes the adenomas.

Read More: Europe Sees Record Surge In Gonorrhea, Syphilis Cases In Over A Decade, Says ECDC

The new results suggest that “intensive long-distance running is a risk factor for advanced adenomas of the colon", said Dr. Timothy, in the paper. The team also called for "refining screening strategies" for marathon runners.

It is because runners put their bodies through a lot, which can raise the risk of chronic inflammation, enabling cancerous cells to grow.

Their high-caloric foods for immediate energy can slow down digestion and impact your overall colon health.

What is Colorectal Cancer

The American Cancer Society notes that colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Colorectal cancer impacts around 1.9 million people every year, noted the World Health Organization (WHO) as per its 2022 data.

It is a disease of the large bowel and a type of cancer that originates from the rectum or colon. A person's colon, cecum, rectum, and anus make up the large intestine.

According to experts, if you are above 45 years of age or have high-risk factors, you need to take the initiative to be screened, as the symptoms appear late, impacting treatment outcomes.

The common red flags for colorectal cancer include:

• rectal bleeding,
• persistent abdominal discomfort,
• pain,
• a noticeable change in bowel habits.

What starts as a mild soreness after exercise is often ignored as simply another part of living an active lifestyle. Many people keep working out, thinking that the pain will subside with rest. But when pain keeps coming back or gets worse, it may be a sign of tendonitis - a common condition of inflammation or irritation of a tendon.

With increasing focus on fitness, gym workouts, running, and high-intensity exercises, tendon-related injuries are becoming more common. At the same time, sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, and repetitive strain from gadgets and laptops are also contributing to the problem.

What Is Tendonitis?

Acute injury to any tendon due to repeated movement results in tendinitis and causes pain and inflammation, but when this injury is ignored and no rest is taken, they progress to tendinosis.

In tendinosis, the cause of pain is not acute inflammation, so anti-inflammatory medicine is of no use. So our focus is to repair, replace, or debride scar tissue. This is an entirely different approach from treating tendinitis.

Early signs

One of the biggest challenges with tendonitis is that its early symptoms are frequently dismissed. Many people continue exercising despite the discomfort, believing “pushing through the pain” is part of staying fit. Unfortunately, this often worsens the condition.

Some common signs include:

• Pain during or after physical activity
• Tenderness around a joint
• Mild swelling or stiffness
• Weakness in the affected area
• Pain that improves with rest but returns with activity

Why Ignoring Can Make It Worse?

Prolonged vigorous physical activity despite continued pain can put more stress on the tendon and exacerbate inflammation. Repeated strain, over time, can cause tendon degeneration or even tendon tears, which may take a lot longer to repair.

Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, office workers, and people whose work involves repetitive motions are the most at risk. Poor warm-up, improper exercise methods, lack of recovery time between sessions, and time during rehabilitation can also increase the risk.

How Can It Be Treated?

Early treatment commonly focuses on reducing strain and inflammation. Symptoms are often relieved through rest, ice application, physiotherapy, stretching exercises, and posture correction. Depending on the severity of the condition, supportive braces or activity modification to reduce stress on the affected tendon may be recommended.

In more severe or long-standing cases where conservative treatment does not provide relief, advanced interventions such as steroid injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, or minimally invasive surgical procedures may be considered to repair damaged tendons and restore movement. Since tendons heal more slowly than muscles due to limited blood supply, recovery often takes time and patience.

Finally, USG-guided percutaneous tenotomy is done if every other treatment fails.

Not every post-workout ache is innocuous. That pain that repeatedly comes back, worsens over time, or curtails movement should not be ignored. Getting medical advice early can prevent long-term damage so that people can return to their regular activities without excessive chronic pain.

Most people hope to live a long life. But as scientists say, the real goal shouldn’t just be lifespan; it should be health span, the number of years we live free from serious illness or disability. And leading new research suggests that one factor may hold a powerful key to improving both: middle-aged fitness. Through fitness in their 40s and 50s, aerobically fit people not only lived longer, but they also suffered chronic disease problems later in life, maintaining more healthy years as they aged.

Fitness in Midlife Linked to Longer Health Span

The study, reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2025), looked at health records of just under 25,000 men and women who had fitness test (treadmill test) conducted in middle age. The researchers tracked participants through Medicare data later through life to see the impact of fitness on ageing and disease risk.

The results were incredible. The most fit people in the study developed serious illnesses about 1.5 years later than the least-fit. They lived on average two years longer, and had fewer chronic diseases as they aged. Even those with moderate fitness levels saw significant benefits, as compared with those with the lowest fitness. The researchers said lifespan and health span “shifted to the right,” indicating that healthier years increased as total years lived increased.

What Counts as ‘Fit’?

Crucially, the fittest participants were not necessarily professional athletes or marathon runners. Researchers said many achieved “fit” status by doing a moderate amount of physical activity—brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or other regular aerobic exercise.

By contrast, the least-fit group were people who did very little or no exercise. This is particularly interesting because it suggests that a moderate, ordinary level of fitness- not extreme exercise - may be beneficial in the long run for healthy ageing.

Why Fitness Matters as We Age

Aerobic fitness affects nearly every system in the body. Regular physical activity helps:

• Improve heart and lung function
• Regulate blood sugar and blood pressure
• Reduce inflammation
• Support brain health
• Maintain muscle strength and mobility

Over time, these effects may inhibit the onset of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, certain cancers and dementia. The study followed the incidence of 11 mainstream age-related diseases and found that fitter people developed those diseases later and had fewer diseases in total.

America’s Growing Health Span Gap

The research comes amid growing interest from scientists in the unevenness between the number of years people live and the number of those years in which they’re healthy and active. A comprehensive international study published in JAMA Network Open (2024) identified that, on average, people spent nearly nine years dealing with illness or disability in the final stage of life.

Americans, though, were farther from that ideal by about 12.4 years. In other words, people may be living longer, but perhaps not as well. The new fitness study shows that being fit at middle age may help to close that divide.

It’s Never Too Early - or Too Late

Research experts note the link between better fitness and healthier ageing is not a proven fact but a strong association, revealing observational findings that diet, genetics, income, and lifestyle can affect how long a person lives. Still the new research adds to growing evidence that exercising is a key factor for healthier longevity. And good news is that making fitness improvements does not require extreme conditioning.

Research also suggests moderate movement and daily walking for exercise may be effective over a lifetime for better health. As study lead author Clare Meernik explained, the goal is not simply to live longer, but to make those years healthy longer. Again, the study underscores that small decisions made during middle age may pay off on the road to healthy ageing - decades later - according to the research.