EltaMD UV Scan
Best mineral sunscreen for dark skin
Neutrogena Hydro Boost
Best drugstore sunscreen for dark skin
Unsun mineral tinted sunscreen
Best tinted sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt in Milk Sunscreen
The highest sun protection factor
Invisible Shining Shield
Another great sunscreen for dark skin
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Do people with darker skin need to use sunscreen? In short, yes. Although melanin provides some natural protection from the sun, sunscreen should still be included in your daily skincare routine. Not only does wearing sunscreen help reduce the risk of skin cancer, it also helps prevent hyperpigmentation and slow down the signs of aging.
However, not all sunscreens work equally well on darker skin. Many popular brands leave behind an unpleasant white cast. The right sunscreen should disappear easily into darker skin, leaving no ash or residue.
Watch this: How does sunscreen prevent skin damage?
We’ve rounded up the sunscreens people of color use and love, along with some professional expertise on why you should use them. Need to wear sunscreen Let’s start with.
SuperGoop’s Unseen Sunscreen is one of the most widely loved sunscreens for dark skin, thanks to its “bare” feel. The sheer, gel-like formula absorbs quickly into skin with a truly invisible finish, meaning it doesn’t leave a white cast and is easy to wear under makeup—you can even use it as a foundation.
If you prefer more of a glowy, glowy look rather than a matte finish, SuperGoop’s Glow Screen is another popular sunscreen for dark skin that can double as a foundation. Both chemical sunscreens offer broad spectrum spf 40 protection, and are water and sweat resistant.
Even if you’re wary of most sunscreen brands, you can trust Black Girl Sunscreen, which is owned by Black and specifically formulated for melanin-rich skin. It’s infused with oils like jojoba and avocado, so it leaves your skin super soft and moisturized enough that you can probably skip a separate moisturizer, unless you have super fair skin.
Black Girl Sunscreen is SPF 30 and is vegan, cruelty-free, and fragrance-free, in case you have sensitive skin.
Many sunscreens use minerals such as zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide to create a physical barrier from the sun, which is ideal for those with sensitive skin. On the other hand, these same minerals are often the cause of the dreaded white cast.
Enter mineral sunscreens, like EltaMD’s UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46. It helps the color blend seamlessly into your skin, and it’s gentle and lightweight. In addition, it has moisturizing properties thanks to niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate.
An affordable, easy-to-find sunscreen that doesn’t result in a white cast? It’s possible. Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost water sunscreen is another favorite among people of color, and it’s popular enough that you can find it at any drugstore or big box store. It provides SPF 50 and has a light texture that is shiny and hydrating, but not greasy.
Dermatologists usually recommend reapplying sunscreen every two hours, but if you get wet, sweat, or wear makeup, your regular lotion or gel formulations may not be the best fit for you. Spraying sunscreen can make reapplication much easier. We recommend Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Face Mist, which is broad-spectrum SPF 55. It’s easy to apply and goes on great, with a weightless feel. Plus, it’s oil-free and water-resistant.
Tinted sunscreens serve two purposes: Smoothing out your skin And Protects you from UV rays. The tint makes a white cast less likely to be a problem, which is a plus if you prefer mineral sunscreen.
Black-owned brand Unsun’s most popular offering is its tinted mineral sunscreen, which contains hydrating ingredients like glycerin and shea butter and is dye-free for all skin tones. It offers a broad spectrum SPF 30, color-correcting tint that’s versatile enough to work with a variety of brown skin tones.
Nowadays, a wide variety of skin products come with an SPF, which means you can venture outside the sunscreen aisle to find the perfect sun protection for your skin type. Fenty Skin’s sunscreen blend, Hydra Vizor, can save you some time in your skincare routine by combining two steps into one. This SPF 30 chemical sunscreen goes on clear, and all it leaves behind is a fruity scent—no white cast or pilling.
For those who will be outside for a long time or simply want to go a bit further, “a sun protection factor with a higher number blocks more of the sun’s UV rays,” according to the AAD. La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios sunscreen features broad spectrum SPF 100 and is completely cast-free, so you can reapply as often as you need full protection—without worrying about looking like a ghost. It absorbs quickly and has a lightweight yet hydrating feel, with a smooth, oil-free finish.
We’d be remiss not to include Glossier’s Invisible Shield, another favorite chemical-based sunscreen for darker skin. Glossier’s leather products have a reputation for being hit-or-miss, but this sunscreen really lives up to its name, with a sheer finish that’s about as far from a white cast as you can get. The gel formula disappears into skin quickly and leaves no residue, so you can apply it under makeup or wear it on its own. In addition to SPF 35, it features antioxidants for some extra protection against skin-damaging free radicals.
Why sunscreen is important for dark skin
If melanin protects you from the sun, why do dark-skinned people need sunscreen at all? Dr. Eve Rodney, board-certified dermatologist and owner of Immortal Dermatology in Maryland, breaks down the science of melanin to explain why people of color are not immune to sun-related skin problems.
Melanin is “the skin’s defense mechanism against the sun’s harsh UV rays,” Rodney says. “When the skin is exposed to sunlight for extended periods, the melanocytes in the epidermis increase the production of melanin. However, it can take some time for melanin to be produced. If you are in the sun for a long time, you can get a sunburn and sun damage before the melanin formation is possible. Protect your skin completely.
She added, “We actually have the same amount of melanocytes, but melanin production is faster in darker skin tones. However, that doesn’t completely excuse us. POC can still develop sunburns, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancers.”
In fact, people with darker skin can face higher death rates from skin cancer, because “detection can be too late,” according to Rodney. “These reasons are enough to ensure that all skin tones and types use sunscreen as often as possible.”
What kind of sunscreen is best for dark skin?
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a minimum SPF of 30, and Rodney recommends applying 1 to 2 ounces daily, starting 15 minutes before going outside and reapplying every two hours as needed. If you’re going to be outside for hours at a time, Rodney recommends an SPF of 50 instead of 30.
There are two basic types of sunscreen: Mineral (or physical) sunscreen Chemical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens tend to be ideal for avoiding a white tint, but there are also some great mineral sunscreen options for darker skin. Finally, Rodney says it might be a good idea to look for a hydrating sunscreen to keep your skin “hydrated and protected.”