While people with darker skin enjoy some natural protection from the sun thanks to the melanin in their skin, it’s important to wear sunscreen. It can help reduce the risk of skin cancer, as well as prevent hyperpigmentation and slow down signs of aging. However, not all sunscreens work equally well for dark skin. Many leave behind an unpleasant “white cast,” which means that not every bottle of sunscreen off the shelf will work for people of color. A proper sunscreen should disappear seamlessly into dark skin, without leaving behind any ashiness or residue.
We’ve gathered the top nine sunscreens that people of color use and love, along with some professional expertise on why melanated people need to wear sunscreen to begin with. The easier your sunscreen is to use, the more likely you’ll wear it every day — and thankfully, these days, you have plenty of options to choose from.
SuperGoop’s Unseen Sunscreen is one of the most widely loved sunscreens out there for dark skin, thanks to its “barely there” feel. The clear, gel-like texture absorbs rapidly into the skin with a truly invisible finish, which means it leaves no white cast and is easy to layer under makeup — you can even use it as a primer.
This chemical sunscreen offers broad spectrum SPF 40 protection, and it’s water- and sweat-resistant.
Even if you’re wary of most sunscreen brands, you can trust Black Girl Sunscreen, which is Black-owned and formulated specifically 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 likely skip a separate moisturizer, unless you have ultradry skin.
Black Girl Sunscreen is SPF 30 and it’s vegan, cruelty-free and fragrance-free, in case you have sensitive skin.
Dermatologists typically recommend reapplying sunscreen every two hours, but if you’re wet, sweaty or wearing makeup, your usual lotion or gel formulas may not be the most convenient. Spray sunscreens can make the reapplication process much easier. We recommend Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Face Mist, which is broad spectrum SPF 55. It’s easy to apply and goes on truly sheer, with a weightless feel. Plus, it’s oil-free and water-resistant.
An affordable, easy-to-find mineral sunscreen that doesn’t create a white cast? Yes, it’s possible. CeraVe’s Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen fits the bill, and it’s another favorite among people of color — just make sure you get the sheer tinted version.
This SPF 30 mineral formula uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to create a physical barrier from the sun, which is ideal for those who are sensitive to chemical sunscreens. Like all of CeraVe’s products, this sunscreen also contains ceramides and niacinamide to restore hydration to your skin.
Tinted sunscreens have a dual purpose: smoothing your complexion and protecting you from UV rays. The tint makes it less likely that white cast will be an issue, which is another plus if you prefer mineral sunscreen.
Black-owned brand Unsun’s most popular offering is this mineral tinted sunscreen, which contains moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and shea butter and is cast-free for all skin tones. It offers broad spectrum SPF 30, and its color-correcting tint is versatile enough to work for a variety of brown skin tones.
Nowadays, a wide variety of skin products come with SPF included, which means that you can venture beyond the sunscreen aisle to find the ideal sun protection for your skin type. Fenty Skin’s moisturizer-sunscreen combo, 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.