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Beauty / Skin Care
By Larry Stansbury and Kiana Murden, CNN Underscored
Published 4:58 PM EDT, Tue May 28, 2024
What's in this guide
- Should you use mineral or chemical sunscreen on dark skin?
- Is tinted sunscreen better for dark skin?
- Editor-favorite sunscreens for dark skin
- Best sunscreen for dark skin
Sunscreen for dark skin quick picks
The best sunscreens for dark skin protect all skin tones without leaving a white cast. With dark skin, it can be tricky to find an SPF that doesn’t leave a chalky, pasty layer. But it’s crucial for people with dark complexions to protect their skin every day. Florida board-certified dermatologist Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd explains that sunscreen “helps prevent UV damage from the sun, protect against skin cancers and prevent photoaging.” So sunscreen not only protects against serious health concerns, but also defends against signs of aging.
Using sunscreen can protect deeper skin tones from dark spots, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. “Hyperpigmentation is the number one skin complaint of people of color, and sun protection is the number one preventative treatment for it,” says Dr. Elyse Love, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and cohost of the BeautyCurious podcast.
Along with finding a sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast, it’s also important to choose an SPF that works for your skin type. When picking out a new sunscreen, Tosin Eyikogbe, SkinSpirit’s aesthetic nurse practitioner, notes that people with sensitive skin can benefit from mineral sunscreens, as they are “gentler on sensitive skin.”
Should you use mineral or chemical sunscreen on dark skin?
Sunscreens are generally split into two types: mineral formulas and chemical formulas. “Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and cause it to scatter so it doesn’t harm the skin,” explains Dr. Kiran Mian, medical and aesthetic dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery. While chemical sunscreen typically blends in seamlessly and therefore is recommended for darker skin tones, some may want to avoid the active ingredients due to sensitivity or the possibility of their being absorbed into the bloodstream.
Mineral sunscreens (also referred to as physical sunscreens) contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which can cause less irritation but are more difficult to blend in. “Physical sunscreens are usually the culprit of the white/purple cast,” explains New York-based licensed esthetician and skin care expertSean Garrette. “These sunscreens have mineral filters that sit on top of the skin and they don’t absorb and blend in fully.” However, there are plenty of advanced mineral formulas that offer an easier application experience and can protect the skin without the white cast. “Eliminating the white cast has no effect of the efficacy of the sunscreen either,” Garrette adds.
Los Angeles-based licensed estheticianNayamka “Nai” Roberts-Smith, also known asLABeautyologist, shares that with whichever type of formula you choose, you want to use at least an SPF 30, but should target a product in the SPF 30 to 50 range. “You can go up to SPF 100, but it gives people the false sense that it will give twice as much sun protection,” she explains, emphasizing how important it is to reapply your product after two to three hours — otherwise the sun protection wears off. “It’s important that the sunscreen leaves a film on the skin” to actually protect against UV rays, she says. She recommends using roughly a grape-sized amount that you can spread from your face to your neck, ears and hands.
Is tinted sunscreen better for dark skin?
Alabama board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman says that tinted sunscreens are a great option for patients with darker skin. “The tint helps minimize the appearance of a white cast while providing the benefits of broad-spectrum sun protection, plus the skin looks more even with a tinted sunscreen,” he says.
Eyikogbe notes that tinted sunscreens may have chemical and mineral active ingredients. Tinted formulas are especially helpful for mineral sunscreens, however, because the warm tones can counteract the chalky zinc oxide. “[Tinted sunscreen] can also replace the use of foundation for those looking to simplify their beauty routine,” Eyikogbe says.
Editor-favorite sunscreens for dark skin
Editor Favorite
Woolery-Lloyd loves this sunscreen that contains melasyl, an ingredient that has been shown to reduce pigmentation and dark spots. “It is a chemical sunscreen, so it is completely sheer (no white cast) and is a great lightweight sunscreen for daily use,” she says. I use this sunscreen myself and it gives my skin a natural finish.
Editor Favorite
This cult-favorite sunscreen is completely invisible as you apply it on the skin. Recommended by Garrette and Roberts-Smith, it also leaves a velvety finish that’s smoothing and even works as a makeup primer.
Read our review
Editor Favorite
“My current favorite at the moment is Colorescience Total Protection Face Shield Flex in the color Deep,” Eyikogbe says. “It is a mineral sunscreen that doubles as a foundation. It contains niacinamide which promotes brighter, clearer skin and reduces pore size.”
Read our review
Editor Favorite
I’ve been struggling finding a sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast on my skin, and this sunscreen is it. This sunscreen oil is super lightweight and blends easily.It's designed for dark skin tones, with a non-greasy formula that quickly absorbs.
Editor Favorite
Featuring a pink tint that cancels out the usual white hue of mineral sunscreen, this pick protects the skin while doubling as a moisturizer. It also contains ectoin, which protects the skin from external factors and is a top-tier anti-aging ingredient.
Best sunscreen for dark skin
This is a bestselling sunscreen that four of the experts we spoke to recommend for people of color. Woolery-Lloyd notes that the tinted, hybrid mineral and chemical sunscreen feels lightweight on the skin and has no white cast.
Hartman shares that this sunscreen is one of his go-to recommendations for all skin types. “It’s a lightweight emulsion that delivers moisture and mineral zinc oxide for a chemical-free, physical sunscreen that eliminates the possibility of allergy,” Hartman says. “It’s a thin emulsion that has zinc oxide and DNA repair enzymes. It goes on smoothly and doesn’t leave a white film.”
The tinted version is Love's favorite mineral formula.
“I created Black Girl Sunscreen because I was underwhelmed by the options for skin protection for women of color,” saysShontay Lundy, founder of Black Girl Sunscreen, noting that she created the brand as a solution to the lack of options on the market that suit darker complexions. Roberts-Smith loves this for the body, especially in the summer. It’s easy to use and contains jojoba oil and power antioxidants from cacao and avocado to hydrate and condition the skin — all without leaving a white cast.
This unique sunscreen by Shiseido is a recommendation from Garrette. It uses what the brand calls HeatForce and WetForce technology to become stronger as it’s exposed to heat, water and sweat — meaning you’ll get stronger sun protection. Although it doesn’t leave any residue, it has an oily feel on the skin, so oily skin types may want to proceed with caution.
This mineral powder sunscreen comes in a convenient applicator that you can use to reapply throughout the day, and is available in several flexible shades. Plus, this sunscreen can also be used on top of makeup.
If you’re looking for a sunscreen that’ll help you treat wrinkles, dark spots and uneven skin tone, the Vichy LiftActive Peptide-C sunscreen is the way to go. A top pick of Garrette’s, this provides SPF 30 UVA/UVB protection along with ingredients to brighten, firm and replenish the skin’s barrier.
“La Roche-Posay Double Repair Face Moisturizer with SPF is my go-to everyday sunscreen,” shares Love. “It is a lightweight but moisturizing formula with no scent and no white cast.” It's also recommended by Mian, who adds that, “it normalizes the microbiome of the skin. Even though it's a mineral sunscreen, I find it is not irritating in even those with sensitive skin.”
Eyikogbe shares that this is her second-favorite sunscreen. “It’s one of the few mineral sunscreens on the market that work well for all skin tones and leaves no white cast," she says. "It is jam-packed with great botanicals that work to improve the overall appearance of skin.”
The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen is a favorite of Roberts-Smith’s because it’s accessible at any drugstore. You’ve got to appreciate a sunscreen that provides intense hydration without weighing down your skin, especially in the warmer temperatures. It’s also worth noting that it is oil-free, noncomedogenic and nongreasy.
Mian notes that this sunscreen is white but absorbs easily into the skin. I tested this sunscreen for a week and was impressed by how it left my skin moisturized.
This has quickly become one of our favorite everyday sunscreens, after a recommendation by Garrette. It’s super light, with a sheer finish that provides SPF 50 sun protection. It gets extra points for layering well with makeup.
If you’re on the go, you can easily carry this invisible sunscreen stick in your handbag or pocket to reapply throughout the day.
Mian really likes Murad’s invisible SPF because it has “a velvety finish and is completely clear, giving adequate protection with no white cast!”
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Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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