Can You Wear Makeup Over Sunscreen?

Absolutely. Sunscreen and makeup can work very well together — and protecting your skin should always come first.

Sunscreen First, Makeup Second

Daily sunscreen is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your face from ultraviolet (UV) damage, premature ageing, pigmentation and skin cancer. In Australia, a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen should form the foundation of your morning skincare routine.

Apply sunscreen first and allow it to settle before applying makeup. Many modern foundations, tinted moisturisers, mineral powders and other cosmetic products are designed to sit comfortably over sunscreen without feeling excessively heavy.

Makeup containing SPF can provide some additional protection, but it generally shouldn’t replace your dedicated sunscreen, because most people don’t apply enough makeup to achieve the labelled SPF.

Are You Covering Something That Could Be Treated?

Sometimes makeup is being used to conceal redness, pigmentation, uneven skin tone, acne, visible blood vessels, sun damage or other skin concerns.

It is worth having these changes properly assessed rather than simply covering them. Many can now be significantly improved with appropriate skincare, prescription topical treatments or laser and light-based therapies.

Ultimately, the best makeup is the one that complements your natural skin and natural beauty, rather than having to hide a treatable skin problem.

Don’t Forget Your Lips

The lips are frequently overlooked when we think about sun protection. They receive considerable UV exposure and can develop sun damage, including actinic cheilitis and skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma.

An SPF 50+ lip balm is therefore a valuable part of everyday sun protection, particularly when spending extended periods outdoors. Remember to reapply it regularly.

See What’s Happening Beneath the Surface

At SKEEN, we can assess the face using the VISIA Skin Analysis system. VISIA provides detailed imaging that can help assess features such as pigmentation, redness, pores, texture and evidence of sun damage that may not be obvious in an ordinary mirror.

This allows us to understand your skin before recommending skincare, treatments or cosmetic products. The aim is to choose products that suit your individual skin rather than aggravating it, causing irritation or unnecessarily covering an underlying condition.

There is an enormous amount of skincare and makeup information available today, but online information cannot replace an individual assessment by an experienced clinician.

We look forward to welcoming you to SKEEN for a proper skin assessment, helping you understand what your skin actually needs and, most importantly, helping you feel happy and confident in the skin you live in.

Dr Colin McTari

SKEEN