Turns Out, Makeup May Actually Be Providing Sun Protection

Good news, beauty lovers, it turns out makeup may actually doing your skin a favour, according to new research.

The Australasian College of Dermatologists says makeup is your skin’s second best defense (after sunscreen) against environmental aging effects, including UVA and UVB rays.

“While sunscreens do a lot, they don’t do enough and shouldn’t be relied on solely for skin health. We now advise that functional coloured cosmetics should be added to the long-standing advice in order to further reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature ageing as well as protecting against the increasing danger of air pollution,” Phillip Artemi, a doctor with the college, told the Sydney Morning Herald.

These functional coloured cosmetics (or cosmeceuticals) include lipsticks, liners, blushes and bronzers. Artemi says they have a unique blend of SPF ingredients and pigments and reflectors of solar radiation, are a “vital” part of an anti-aging and skin cancer prevention regime, particularly around the eye area. He does note, however, that lip gloss, doesn’t provide as a much protection as a darker, long-lasting lipstick would (sorry, lip gloss lovers).

But that’s not to say you can ditch the sunscreen. Artemi advises using a combination of sunscreen, foundation, eye shadow and mascara to “reduce the incidence of skin cancers.” Just make sure to thoroughly cleanse your skin at night to ensure your skin is kept healthy and happy.