Makeup and Sunscreen Can Be Friends

As the weather is starting to warm up, quite quickly in Texas anyway, we know what you’re thinking. “Pass the tanning oil, check out my new bikini girlfriend, and turn up the tunes!” A day out by the lake or pool makes for a perfect summer afternoon with your peeps. But the sunshine isn’t always so peachy. The sun can be very dangerous.

I remember my mother layering every inch of my body with SPF 50 sunscreen while other kids frolliced about in the cool neighborhood pool. She was always re-applying at the most inconvenient moments. Right when the lifeguard would blow the “break’s over” whistle, there she was with sticky white palms blocking my path. When I was younger, I didn’t think much of the dangers of UV rays. But now, at the age of 26 with all kinds of cancer becoming a serious reality, I’ve learned that protecting your skin is no joke.

Did You Know?

• UV rays from the sun can reach you on a cloudy and hazy day
• The sun’s UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes
• 61,646 people in the United States were diagnosed with melanomas of the skin (2009)
• 9,199 people in the United States died from melanomas of the skin (2009)

As a fellow beauty enthusiast, I understand your possible concerns about your ability to wear makeup and be the true glamour girl you’re used to being, while trying to maintain good and protected skin. Here are some tips that may make protecting your skin and wearing makeup easier on a daily basis.

1. Select a Sunscreen

The Skin Cancer Foundation advises people to use a moisturizer containing broad-spectrum sunscreen (which means it blocks both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF rating of at least 15. Ingredients such as zinc oxide, avobenzone (Parsol 1789) or ecamsule (Mexoryl), combined with octocrylene and avobenzone work best with makeup and provide broad spectrum sun protection. Don’t forget to check the expiration date.

1. Apply and Re-Apply Liberally

Apply a thin coat over face, neck, and ears, and allow the sunscreen to soak into the skin before applying makeup. Reapply every two hours minimum, especially if you’re swimming or sweating.

1. SPF 15 or Higher

If you use makeup foundation or tinted moisturizer — a light foundation with sheer coverage — remember that you cannot rely on these products alone; they must be used in conjunction with sunscreen. Although sunscreen is the most important element to shield skin from the sun, foundation or tinted moisturizer with SPF can help. Check labels, and purchase products with SPF 15 or higher.

1. Powder Up

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying compressed powder with a sponge because the powder’s particles provide some sun protection, and powder will help keep sunscreen and moisturizer in place.

1. Don’t Forget Your Lips

Protect your lips with an SPF 15 or higher lipstick or lip balm. CoverGirl Triple Lipstick, SPF 15 offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection for lips, as does Mary Kay Sun Essentials Lip Protector Sunscreen SPF 15. If you wear lipstick for sun protection, use an opaque shade rather than a high-gloss lipstick with little pigmentation.

So there you have it, makeup and sunscreen can be friends, and good ones at that. Protect your beautiful face this summer, and you won’t be sorry. We’re going for beauty, but we’re striving for health and longevity. Now go clink those margaritas and sip ‘em in the shade.

 
Sources include CDC and WebMD.