Can You Tan with Makeup On

Can You Tan with Makeup On? The Pros and the Cons!

5 min read
Learn the facts about tanning with makeup from dermatologists so you can get the golden glow without endangering your precious skin.

We all love the sun-kissed glow that comes with a good tan – but what if you’re also wearing makeup?

Is it better to remove your makeup before tanning, or can you get away with leaving it on in the sun?

The answer may surprise you! Read on to learn more about tanning with makeup makeup products on and how they affect your skin.

Can You Tan With Makeup On?

It's not a great idea to leave your makeup on when tanning in the sun.

Sure, it may seem like a quick way to get an all-over bronzed look. But you're actually risking long-term skin damage if you do this.

Your skin needs to be exposed in order to effectively soak up Vitamin D while tanning, and leaving makeup on acts as a barrier between your skin and the sun’s rays – preventing some of those vital nutrients from reaching your body.

Not only that but chemical makeup ingredients can also cause an adverse reaction when mixed with UVB rays – which can lead to burns or develop into melanomas over time. Eek!

And speaking of UV light, many beauty products don't provide protection against them (even those marketed as 'sun safe') so leaving them on won't necessarily protect you from developing premature wrinkles either.

Negative Effects from Wearing Makeup in the Sun

Application of makeup while lying out in the sun is a frequent mistake made by many, but you may be unaware of how this combination can damage your skin. Here are some things that can happen.

An Uneven Tan

To start with, any type of heat and/or sunlight increases melanin production.

If you're wearing regular makeup without sunscreen this may result in an uneven and patchy tan with uneven spots.

If you opt for makeup over sunscreen, tanning can cause an increase in dark spots or hyperpigmentation and even blotchy patches on your face in the long run.

Clogged Pores

The combination of sweat and oil from sunscreen mixed with makeup can clog pores, resulting in excess sebum production that leads to skin irritation and acne breakouts.

With all these factors playing into each other it's no surprise that many women experience skin congestion and sensitivity reactions such as redness or stinging sensations when subjecting their skin to this situation.

Long Term Effects

Beyond aesthetics, allowing too much time for cosmetics combined with sun exposure increases the risk for more serious issues later down the line.

These include premature aging and wrinkles due to dehydrated collagen fibers (from not applying enough sunscreen), sunburns caused by over-exposure (barrier creams don’t provide sufficient protection) and even skin cancer if exposed long enough without proper protection against UV rays!

Therefore it is essential to be mindful not just about sunscreen application prior tanning but also avoiding wearing heavy coverage foundations or powders.

Should You Remove Makeup Before Tanning?

In general, it’s best practice to remove all the makeup before spending time in the sun.

This will help ensure that your sensitive skin is as healthy as possible while still allowing you to get a nice even tan. For a really even tan, slough off dead skin cells first with a gentle face scrub.

If you don’t have access to a shower or sink (like if you’re at the beach), then using an oil-free facial wipe should do the trick! Just make sure that any product used is safe for use during sun exposure.

What About Tanning Beds?

The same advice goes for tanning beds. Unless you're wearing a tinted sunscreen or even a tinted moisturizer to minimize uv radiation, it's best to remove your makeup before hitting the tanning bed so you don't end up with an uneven tan.

Can you get a spray tan with makeup on?

A spray tan can be a great way to get that bronzed and sun-kissed look without risking any skin damage from the sun or tanning beds.

However, if you plan to get a spray tan while wearing foundation, there are certain precautions that must be taken in order to avoid disasters.

First things first - make sure you remove ALL of your makeup before getting your spray tan!

This includes foundation, eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner - everything!

Any kind of residue may act as an extra barrier between your skin and the solution. Don't forget about lipstick and lip gloss too.

Many types of lip products contain oil-based ingredients that will prevent the adhesive ingredients in the spray tan solution from "sticking".

Secondly, don’t apply moisturizer immediately before getting a spray tan as it can create another layer on your skin which could stop the product from developing properly.

For best results it is recommended to wait at least 12 hours after applying moisturizer before having yourself sprayed with product.

Finally, once you have been sprayed (with no makeup!), try waiting 8 hours until showering.

This is because most professional self tans need up to 8 hours for their development process so by allowing this time you make sure maximum color appears on your body post-shower!

Ultimately getting a successful golden glow with no disaster stories requires some pre-planning but these tips should help ensure an even coverage without any residual makeup ruining its effects!

Tips for if You Must Wear Makeup

For those who prefer to keep their makeup on during a day out in the sun, there are some tips and tricks that may help keep your skin looking its best without sacrificing your glow:

• Wear light coverage foundation or BB cream that won't clog pores or cause breakouts; opt for mineral based formulas over liquid options whenever possible.

• Use water resistant mascara and eyeliner so they won't run down your face •

• Always apply sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen every hour or two depending on how strong the UV index is.

• Avoid wearing lipstick while out in the sun as this can cause dryness and discoloration.

• Wear a wide brimmed hat whenever possible!

The Best Tan is a Safe Tan

Tanning with makeup on is definitely possible - but not necessarily advisable.

It's always best practice to remove any cosmetics from your skin's surface before exposing yourself to sunlight in order to protect against clogged pores and other skin issues caused by prolonged exposure.

Instead opt for SPF protection on your face to avoid premature aging and skin cancer.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to keep both your skin looking great and your tan even at the same time!

With these tips in mind, now there's no excuse not to enjoy those sunny days!

There are other times when you want to avoid makeup, for example after microneedling, a chemical peel, or even after getting Botox! Tap the button below to see when you can safely wear makeup after a Botox appointment.

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