Can makeup save u. S. Soldiers' lives?

Soldiers often smear camouflage makeup on their faces before entering dangerous combat zones. But sometimes, the oil- or wax-based chemicals in face paint catch fire from a blast, which

inflicts even more damage on the skin. That's why the Army is funding research for a new kind of high-tech combat makeup that, instead of putting a soldier at extra risk, can actually

withstand a thermal blast as hot as 1,112 degrees Fahrenheit. A closer look at the Army's bomb-repellant makeup: WHAT DOES THE FACE PAINT DO? "When a roadside bomb or other

explosive device goes off, it hits everything nearby with an extreme blast of pressure" followed immediately by more than 1,000 degrees of skin-searing heat, says Colin Lecher at

_Popular Science_, or about the same temperature as the burning tip of a cigarette. The Army's new face paint, presented this week at the American Chemical Society's meeting, not

only functions as a heat shield, but is also waterproof and incorporates DEET, a type of insect repellant. SUBSCRIBE TO THE WEEK Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus

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PROTECTING SKIN? Normally a bomb blast lasts a mere two seconds. Tests showed that the makeup protects "naked hands and feet for 15 seconds before mild, first degree burns

appeared," says Molly Docherty at _New Scientist_. (Watch a demonstration below.) That gives a soldier valuable time to scramble away to safety. HOW WAS THE MAKEUP MADE? In order to

create the skin cream, researchers turned to silicones rather than the "fatty substances in traditional face paint," says Megan Gannon at _LiveScience_. One problem: DEET bug

repellant is highly flammable, yet it must compose 35 percent of all camouflage makeup, according to a military mandate. To solve the problem, scientists encapsulated DEET with a water-rich

hydrogel, which prevented it from catching fire. A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com WHAT'S NEXT? The research team from

the University of Southern Mississippi is putting together a clear, colorless version to be used by firefighters. They're also working on a fire-resistant formula to fireproof clothing

and tents, says _New Scientist_'s Docherty. See for yourself: _SOURCES: Live Science, New Scientist, Popular Science_