Jun 19

Jun 19 The Best Sunscreens for Black and Brown Skin

There’s this rumor that melanated skin can’t get sunburned. False! It’s skin for crying out loud so in the right conditions, it can and will burn! Listen, if you’ve never been sunburned before, trust, it’s no fun. Neither is being betrayed by your sun protection. I went on vacay to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in early May and for the first time in all my 20-something years, I managed to get sunburned DESPITE wearing sunscreen. Granted it was some poo poo sunscreen that I had a bad experience with in the past. I grabbed it out of my cabinet because I completely forgot to restock on the sunscreens I know are tried & true. I don’t just mean a little bit, I mean blood orange sunburnt. Please believe I went & got my Palmers and Neutrogena as soon as so could.

Sun exposure can also increase the risk of skin cancer, cause hyperpigmentation and skin discoloration, and decrease elasticity in the skin which leads to fine lines and wrinkles. Although we may have the added benefit of melanin on our side, we too need high performing sunscreen.

Historically, sunscreen has had a not so great track record when it comes to blending into darker skin types. It has often left a white, gray, or even oily overcast on the skin. For others, including myself, for a long time, it was hard to find something with sunscreen that didn’t make sensitive skin break out. All sun protection is not created the same. I asked around and compiled a list of brown and black girl tested, brown and black girl approved sunscreens that can go flawlessly with any skin type or texture.

Use alone as part of your makeup routine

Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer with SPF 25 $39