You might find yourself out in the sun with some makeup on, and while the makeup is adding to your flawless glow, will it stop your skin from tanning?
Can you tan with makeup on? Makeup does not act as a complete barrier to UV rays, so you can tan through makeup. The tan you will achieve when wearing makeup might be uneven and blotchy, so it is best to wear a tinted moisturizer with SPF when tanning.
So yes, you can tan through makeup, but it is not something to be encouraged!
Why You Shouldn’t Wear Makeup When Tanning
Many people have found that wearing makeup acts as a barrier between UV rays and the skin, resulting in an uneven tan. Whether it is base, foundation, powder, blush, eyeliner, eyeshadow, lipstick or mascara, no makeup should ever be used as a substitute for sunscreen.
Even though makeup acts as a tanning barrier at times, it does not mean it fully and properly protects your skin the way sunscreen would. Without proper protection, your skin will be left open to damage from the sun, possibly causing sunburn, permanent damage to the skin, or even increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Makeup tends to act as a barrier to the sun when applied to the skin due to most makeup products containing chemicals. These chemicals can be hard to break down, which prevents the UV rays from reaching the skin and causing the production of melanin, which is what develops a tan.
Not only will your skin be open to damage from the sun, but if you do happen to tan with makeup on, you can expect it to be blotchy, uneven, and red!
How Makeup Affects A Tan
Wearing any type of makeup on your face will definitely affect your tan in some way, whether the effect is small or very noticeable. Some areas might tan, others might not, your skin might burn more than usual as well.
The makeup, along with certain other factors, will have an impact on how you tan.
SPF Protection
Some makeup, mainly concealer, comes with built-in SPF protection. It is not strong protection, but enough to protect your skin slightly. For the best possible protection, look for an SPF 30 or more.
My favorite BB cream comes with SPF 30, and this really does help to build sun safety into my everyday routine.
Skin Type
Sensitive skin is more prone to sun damage and sunburn than other skin types.
Medication also plays a large role in how sensitive the skin might be to the sun, so get to know your skin type and speak to your doctor about any medications you are on and their effect on skin sensitivity.
Time of Day
It is obvious that the sun is at its strongest at certain points in the day, especially between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm. Your skin will be most vulnerable to being sunburned of tanned during these hours, so it is important to make sure your skin is properly protected if you are outdoors during these hours.
There are other ways that makeup might affect your skin if worn whilst in the sun, possibly damaging your skin further.
Pores
You will most likely break out in a light sweat when out in the sun, and when wearing makeup, this could cause your pores to become clogged up. Excess oil is also produced by the skin when in the sun, which also ends up in clogged pores.
Breakouts
Clogged pores lead to irritation and breakouts in the skin, which could, in turn, make your skin more sensitive to both the sun and makeup.
How To Tan With Makeup
If you are desperate to have some sort of coverage with concealer and maybe a dashing of mascara, there are some safer ways to tan with makeup on.
Tinted Sunscreen
Instead of using a concealer, you could choose to buy a tinted sunscreen. You will be able to use this sunscreen all over your body to create an even tone, without using any concealer, but still give your skin much-needed protection from the sun.
If I am looking for the most natural look possible, I go for this lightly-tinted sunscreen.
Tinted Moisturizer
There are some wonderful tinted moisturizers on the market that come with added SPF protection. They aren’t as thick as concealers, and instead, help to moisturize and nourish the skin when applied.
With the slight tint and the SPF protection, you can confidently go out into the sun knowing your skin is looking great, and not being damaged by UV rays.
Foundation with SPF
Instead of using a heavy concealer, you can use an oil-free, lightweight concealer with SPF protection. Being oil-free and non-comedogenic, the concealer should not clog up pores or cause breakouts, and it will be light on your skin. The SPF protection will go a long way to cut out any damage done to the skin by the sun.
However, with all these options, excluding tinted sunscreen, you will need to have a base layer of sunscreen applied before applying any other products.
It is really important to remember that depending on the strength of the sunscreen, it will need to be reapplied regularly throughout the day to properly protect your skin.
How To Properly Remove Makeup Before Tanning
Removing makeup before tanning will help you achieve a natural, even tan, free from blotches and sunburn. Here are some tips for removing makeup:
- Go slow, do not rub at your fast too rough or too fast. This could cause your skin to become irritated and cause your skin to burn more in the sun.
- Use soap and water to remove makeup gently from the skin. Use mild soap and warm water to get the job done. It will remove any residue and prep your skin well.
- Using a cleanser makeup remover is also a good way to gently remove any excess makeup. Not only will it remove the makeup, but it will nourish your skin.
- Remove all makeup from the edge of your eyelids. This area is often forgotten and can be susceptible to damage from the sun.
- Cleanse your hairline. This is another area that is often forgotten. Move hair back when tied in a ponytail to properly access this area.
- Apply a moisturizer with SPF once you have removed all the makeup from your skin. It will moisturize and nourish your skin, keeping it hydrated when out in the sun, while still providing some extra protection.
- Wear sunscreen all over to protect your skin from any damage done by UV rays.
A proper skincare routine is key to keeping your skin healthy and free from breakouts or irritation. Wearing makeup in the sun will aggravate your skin by clogging up pores, and leave you with an uneven tan. It isn’t worth the risk of damage to your skin in order to wear makeup in the sun!
Related Questions
Can I wear makeup in a tanning bed?
The same rules apply for tanning in a tanning bed as they do for tanning in the sun. Makeup will act as a barrier to the UV rays and will result in either a patchy tan, or your skin becoming sensitive and burning more in some areas.
Wearing makeup in a tanning bed can also lead to skin breakouts, as more sweat and oil and open pores allow the makeup to sink into the skin, which leads to irritation and then breakouts.
Can I tan with fake tan on?
Your skin will still be able to tan with fake tan or self-tan on. Some self-tanning products do come with built-in SPF, but these do not last long at all. Just like with makeup, a tan through fake tan might be blotchy and streaky. You will still need to apply sunscreen to your skin with self-tanning products on.
Does tanning darken freckles?
When tanning, the UV rays cause the skin to create more melanin. Melanin is also found in freckles, so it would make sense that tanning does, in fact, cause freckles to darken, just as it darkens the rest of the skin.
Many people also find that they develop new freckles when tanning, which is a fairly common thing to happen. Freckles are also more common in fairer skinned people, who sunburn more than tan.
Can I tan with tinted moisturizer?
You will still tan if you are using a tinted moisturizer. While many tinted moisturizers contain SPF protection, they do not contain enough to completely stop a tan from developing. You will still stop your skin from having any damage done to it by the UV rays, so you will more than likely be left with a subtle, bronze tan.
Can I spray tan with makeup on?
It is not a good idea at all to spray tan with makeup on. The makeup will act as a barrier to the spray tan which will just wash off as soon as you shower. It is perfectly fine to apply makeup once your spray tan has dried, but give it enough time to set before doing so.
