Women beware: your shiny lip gloss and lip balm may boost your risk of getting skin cancer.

A new study at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas says the glossiness of such lip coatings may attract ultraviolet sun rays, increasing the chance for getting skin cancer, HealthDay reports.

Dr. Christine Brown said that protecting your lips from harmful sun rays is as important as using sunscreen to protect your skin.

What most people don't realize is they're actually increasing light penetration through the lip surface by applying something clear and shiny to them, said Dr. Brown.

The study also found that less than 25 percent of Americans wear some form of skin protection. Doctors advise anyone who goes outdoors for more than 20 minutes at a time should use a lip sun block with an SPF of 30.

Dermatologists advise users to wear a layer of SPF 30 sun protection beneath any glossy lip balms.

Medicine Cancer