Despite being blessed with melanin, it remains true that Black people have to wear sunscreen to protect our skin. It is important to wear a strong SPF on your face and body, regardless of whether it’s sunny.
“Yes your melanin does protect you from the sun, but even the darkest of skin only has a natural 13 SPF, which means you’re still susceptible to sunburn,” explained Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton in a TikTok video.
Sunscreen is necessary to protect us from skin cancers, sunburn, and anti-aging. However, we cannot use just any sunscreen because many of them will leave a stark white cast on our brown skin. Luckily, I have researched the 16 best sunscreens for us.
1. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 55 ($10) protects your skin from UVA rays and UVB rays with Helioplex technology in a lightweight formula.
2. Bondi Sands Face Lotion SPF 50 ($10) provides UVA and UVB protection with aloe vera and vitamin E, leaving a moisturized finish.
3. Black Girl Sunscreen Make it Matte ($22) is specially designed for women of color and does not leave a white cast or a greasy finish. Plus, it’s infused with aloe, squalene, and shea butter.
4. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 ($22-48) is an antioxidant rich and oil-free sunscreen that provides great protection using a pigmented system, so it doesn’t leave a white cast.
5. Eleven by Venus Williams Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 40 ($48) is a lightweight and transparent formula that is infused with coconut fruit extract and packed with amino acids, electrolytes, and antioxidants.
6. Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 ($9) is an affordable option that is also noncomedogenic, so it does not clog the pores.
7. Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 ($11), a popular spray option, provides full coverage from UVA and UVB rays and is great for all skin types.
8. Sun Bum Premium Moisturizing Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 ($18) is another great spray sunscreen that offers full coverage from UVA and UVB rays for all skin types.
9. Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50 ($18) is a transparent formula that contains eight types of hyaluronic acid and provides great protection from UVA and UVB rays.
10. Naturium Dew Glow Moisturizer SPF 50 ($22) is a paraben-free, gluten-free, and vegan concoction that leaves a dewy and radiant finish.
11. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 60 ($32) is formulated with Cell-Ox Shield technology to offer broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection with antioxidants.
12. Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ ($25) uses Shiseido WetForce Technology with HeatForce Technology, which creates a SynchroShield that acts as a protective veil on the skin.
13. Innisfree Daily UV Defense Invisible Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 ($16) is a lightweight cream that provides sun protection while hydrating and soothing skin and leaving no white cast.
14. Mele Skin No Shade Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 ($20) is a fast-absorbing non-greasy oil that provides protection from the sun.
15. Mineral UV-Tint by Neutrogena SPF 30 ($17) enhances your skin’s natural tone, while simultaneously protecting your skin from the sun.
16. Old Spice Bald Care System Scalp Moisturizer with Sunscreen ($12) offers bald heads broad spectrum SPF 25 and helps to keep skin smooth and hydrated.
