The Melanin-Approved Sunscreens I’ll Be Wearing All Summer Long
Broad spectrum sun protection without the white cast? Yes, please.
Growing up, I didn’t think much about applying sunscreen during the summer, let alone the rest of the year. Being of Haitian descent, I’d heard from my family that I didn’t need to worry about the sun because, as a Black person, my natural melanin was all the protection I needed. I didn’t question it then, especially given that New York, where I was raised, was nowhere near as hot as the sunny Caribbean island my ancestors were from. Since I’d never experienced a sunburn, despite going on frequent outdoorsy retreats with my high school, attending more than my fair share of outdoor concerts, and spending my summers everywhere but indoors, I believed this to be true. Turns out, it’s not.
Like anyone with a TikTok account or a passing interest in watching a beauty or wellness influencer’s videos on YouTube, I’ve been inundated with messaging about skincare over the last few years. Now more than ever, information about sunscreen and the sun’s damaging effects on our skin is incredibly accessible. I now know to wear sunscreen every day because my melanin’s natural SPF level of about 13 is not nearly enough protection from the sun’s damaging effects. But with so many more options on the market than before and content creators being paid to peddle all types of products, it’s pretty easy to get lost trying to pick out the best one for your needs and budget. So, to learn more about why sunscreen is so important and what consumers should look for when considering which sun protectants are best for them, I spoke to a board-certified dermatologist who’s an expert on sunscreens for people with deeper skin tones (not a content creator).
“There are two types of light that everyone should be worried about: UVA and UVB,” explains Dr. Anne Beal, physician-researcher, melanin expert, and founder and CEO of AbsoluteJOI Skincare. “Melanin protects against UVB, which causes burning, and because a lot of people with darker tones don’t burn [in the sun], they think that they don't need sunscreen. But it's not just the burning that you're protecting yourself against, it's the UVA rays. Those are what cause the damage that leads to premature aging that you don’t feel happening.”
Therefore, yes, everyone needs sunscreen. Whether you’re new to the sunscreen game or have been diligently applying it your whole life, figuring out which type is best for your skin can be tricky. And if you’re melanated, chances are you’ve experienced the ultimate sunscreen betrayal: the dreaded white cast that, no matter how much you rub at your skin, refuses to disappear.
So, what type of sunscreen should you buy? According to Dr. Beal, mineral sunscreens are less likely to upset sensitive skin but offer greater protection than chemical variations against all types of light, including blue light from screens. Unfortunately, mineral sunscreens’ components—namely, zinc oxide—are also more likely to leave a white cast behind. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, have clearer formulas that do not show on darker skin. But if your skin tends to be reactive, Dr. Beal warns that you may find chemical sunscreens irritating. Another important note about these two types of sun protectants: On average, mineral sunscreens tend to be more expensive than chemical varieties.
“People have a choice between going for the more expensive mineral sunscreen with more protection or going for a chemical [sunscreen], which doesn't shield against blue light but blends easily and is more affordable,” Dr. Beal says. “But I say something is always better than nothing at all.”
With Dr. Beale's guidance fresh in my mind, I hit my local beauty store, a pharmacy, and, of course, the Internet to put her lessons into practice as I parsed through brands vying to be your pick for the summer. As a sunscreen-skeptic-turned-believer, I was keenly aware that many of these choices weren't actually options for me, or anyone else with dark skin.
To help others like me cut through the UV-blocking clutter, I reviewed a selection of sunscreens that cater to people with deeper skin tones, and judged them on how they felt during application, while in use, and how well they seemed to protect my skin without leaving me looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost. Here are the seven that stood out the most.
Leave it to Bad Gyal RihRih to create a mineral sunscreen that would never betray her fans with a white cast. This sunscreen is super lightweight and hydrating, and if it’s your thing, it feels great under makeup. The fact that it’s refillable is also an eco-friendly plus.
Don’t let the price fool you. At just $12, Good Molecules’s Sheer Mineral Sunscreen holds its own against more expensive counterparts (applies easily, feels moisturizing but not oily, and is lightweight), and it comes in the same size as higher-end alternatives. With its truly sheer application, this entry is proof that a great mineral sunscreen does not need to break the bank.
Any list of the best sunscreens for melanated skin would be incomplete without Black Girl Sunscreen. Founded in 2016 by a Black woman who grew frustrated by the lack of sun protectants for darker skin, cult-favorite Black Girl Sunscreen promises to provide protection without any white cast. It’s also budget-friendly, widely available in drugstores, and holds true to its guarantee to blend easily into all skin tones.
I first encountered the Biore Aqua Rich on a trip to Taiwan. I’d run out of my own sunscreen and borrowed my friend’s. I was admittedly a bit nervous to try it, as my friend had lighter skin and could not guarantee how ghostly I’d end up looking. Luckily, this Japanese beauty brand did me no wrong. I was not only pleasantly surprised by how it looked, but how it felt: Even after hours of walking around Taipei and lounging on the beaches of Tainan, my face did not feel greasy at all while sweating buckets in the Taiwanese humidity.
Founded by Holly Thaggard after her close friend was diagnosed with skin cancer, Supergoop has been running the game in high-end sunscreen for over a decade now. This influencer favorite is pricier than other chemical options but has a lightweight gel formula that dries clear. It is worth every penny.
Another drugstore favorite, Neutrogena’s sunscreen has the highest amount of SPF than any other brand on the list, and any that I’ve tried. Despite what many may think, the extreme levels of protection do not come at the expense of a white cast. And for less than $10, it is an incredible value.
We would have put this incredible sunscreen on our list even if company founder Dr. Beal wasn’t also our expert source. “The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a minimum of SPF 30,” Dr. Beal says. “Because I’m extra, I opted to do SPF 40.” Available in two melanin-friendly shades—Mocha for deeper skin tones and Cafe Au Lait for tan ones—the formula in this sunscreen provides protection through both its SPF and its tint. Despite being a mineral sunscreen, the product won’t create a white cast.