In middle school, I distinctly remember seeing those UV photos that show sunscreen coverage and protection in health class. However, I had never worn sunscreen a day in my life, and lowkey thought its protective qualities were a myth. In my eleven-year-old mind, there was no way a thin layer of lotion could protect from skin cancer, let along whatever harm a massive ball of fire could cause. Later, during my time at the Harvard Secondary School, I remember going to the beach with my friend Rebecca. I believe that it was Rebecca’s godmother or aunt that made me put sunscreen on for the first time. It was horrible! I smelt weird, my skin felt sticky, sand kept getting stuck to my skin, and my skin turned a distinctive purple shade after application! After that experience, I knew I was NEVER going to use sunscreen again; therefore, I have never actually practiced this crucial portion of skin care until recently.
Though I have known the importance of SPF for some time, it has never hit home for me until now. Due to my new acne medications, I have to wear sunscreen daily in order to protect my new exposed skin cells. In my journey to acquiring acne-free skin, I could never imagine that one of the most difficult parts of the process was finding the right sunscreen for my dark skin tone. Let’s be honest, most sunscreens are not formulated with dark skin in mind and leave behind a white cast or ashy skin. Finding the best sun protection for dark skin was especially difficult as studies have shown that the application of SPF moisturizers; such as Simple “Kind to Skin” Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF 15, are inferior compared to sunscreens in coverage of facial and eyelid regions.
Before getting into the review, lets discuss some common misconceptions regarding dark skin and sun protection.
1. “People with dark skin don’t need sunscreen.” – Though darker skin tones have a natural SPF of around 13, while lighter skin tones are about 3, everyone benefits from sun protection.
2. “Sunscreen is only good for one thing.” – Sunscreen not only protects the skin by shielding it from wrinkle-causing UV rays, but it also helps with keeping the skin clear and healthy. This includes skin concerns such as skin cancer, uneven complexion, hyperpigmentation, blemishes and dark spots.
3. “Sunscreen is only needed when the sun is out.” – The sun is always around! And the UV rays that are strong enough to not be filtered out by the ozone layer, have no problem radiating through the thickest of clouds. Sun exposure is linked to the development of malignant melanoma, carcinomas, and the development of fine lines and wrinkles.
Of all the skincare items you can purchase, sunscreen is one of the best! It’s both a health product and a cosmetic, helping to guard against skin cancer and wrinkles alike. Best of all, it doesn’t even have to be all that expensive. It is my hope that through this post my readers will feel inspired to add the appropriate sunscreen to their daily beauty routine. By completing this simple step daily, you'll fight aging, fine lines, wrinkles, and visible damage to your cherished skin! And of course, I’m going to share my discoveries with you. Here are some sunscreens I have reviewed with dark skinned beauties in mind.
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| This product retails for $13.47 on Amazon |
This was the first sunscreen I tried during this journey. I decided to start here because CeraVe is my go-to brand for any of my skincare needs. I always lean toward CeraVe because all of its products were developed with dermatologists and include ceramides. However, this product did not meet my expectations for this remarkable brand. The AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is LITERALLY just sunscreen. This product was an awful reminder of all the reasons why I did not wear sunscreen in the past. First, the lotion has a very strong sunscreen scent. Additionally, the product did not spread well and left a greasy residue on the skin. Finally, when I tried to apply make-up on top of the lotion, little white balls of product began to form. Worst of all it leaves a white cast on the skin.
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| This product retails for $12.99 on Amazon |
I decided to purchase this product after viewing some Black YouTubers that suggested it. In their videos, they referred to this product as their “holy grails,” and I agree, this is a pretty good daily moisturizer. I love that it has both vitamin C and E for skin brightening and repair. It also has a very pleasant citrus-like smell and a lightweight feel. Best of all, it never left a white cast on my face. However, similar to the CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, this moisturizer would sometimes peel. Ultimately, I think this is a fine product, but I knew there had to be a sunscreen out there that was better suited for my skin.
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| This product retails for $13.89 on Amazon |
I was a big fan of this daily face moisturizer! First, it has a soft neutral scent, making it a great choice for all genders. This lotion is also extremely moisturizing, yet it has a light consistency and a smooth finish. After I began using Tretinoin, which can be very drying, I found this to be the perfect product for my skin. Still, even with using Tretinoin, my T-zone remained oily. My main concern with this moisturizer was that throughout the day, it progressively grew greasy in my T-zone. However, I believe this moisturizer is a perfect option for individuals with dry-sensitive skin.
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| This product retails for $9.99 on Amazon |
First, it is important to recognize that there’s nothing wrong with using a body sunscreen on your face. Sunscreens sold for facial use aren’t necessarily different from those that are applied elsewhere. I love that the Sun Bum Original formula has a silky feel on the skin and has a mattifying effect, making it the perfect sunscreen to wear under makeup. The one aspect of this sunscreen that I have mixed opinions about, is its distinctive scent. Many people describe its scent as the “smell of summer”. In my opinion, it smells like artificial bananas. Overall, this sunscreen is best for people with combination, oily or acne-prone skin.
The Verdict
Of all the sunscreens, moisturizers and protectants I’ve tried on this journey, The Sun Bum Original is my favorite. It does well under makeup, doesn’t leave a white cast and offers a range of SPF options. Additionally, the brand boasts a moisturizing sunscreen formula that protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. The sunscreen also enriches the skin with Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals, which are the main cause of premature skin aging. Finally, the Original Sunscreen line is Vegan, Hypoallergenic and Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Gluten, Cruelty and Paraben Free.
Other Brands to Explore
When choosing a dermatologist, I purposely looked for a Black woman. I knew that another Black woman could relate to my lived experience and offer suggestions accordingly. My dermatologist suggested using these two sunscreens when looking for sun protection without a white cast; however, they are a bit out of my price range. But sometime in the future I plan to try them out!
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| This product retails for $33.00 on Amazon |
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| This product retails for $15.99 at Target |
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