Sunscreen for Skin of Color
Do I need sunscreen as a person of color?
My colleague, Dr. Adewole Adamson, has written thoughtfully about sunscreen use in people with darker skin tones. He points out that most sunscreen studies have not included people with dark skin. He says: “There exists no study that demonstrates sunscreen reduces skin cancer risk in black people. Period.”
Can sunscreen still be helpful?
Preventing skin cancer is just one reason to use sunscreen. It also helps prevent sunburns, wrinkles, and dark spots on the face caused by visible light. Our bodies make natural sun protection called melanin—the darker your skin, the more protection you have. Still, sunscreen can add an extra layer of defense. This video shows how incredible natural melanin really is:
I want to wear sunscreen—what do you recommend?
I prefer physical (mineral) sunscreens that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. Just remember “zinc or titanium” when checking the label. These are gentle, effective blockers, but they can leave a white film that’s hard to rub in. For that reason, I like zinc spray sunscreens (like the ones by Sun Bum)—they blend in much more easily than zinc lotions.
New studies show that tinted sunscreens are especially helpful for protecting against visible light, which can cause hyperpigmentation and dark spots. The tint (usually iron oxide) adds extra protection that standard sunscreens don’t provide.
Another great option that blends in beautifully with all skin tones is Black Girl Sunscreen.
I also really like the alcohol-based gel sunscreen by Solbar. It goes on like hand sanitizer, dries clear within seconds, and leaves no white film—perfect for everyday use.
European Sunscreens:
European sunscreens are far ahead of those in the U.S. because Europe classifies them as cosmetics, allowing faster innovation. The U.S. hasn’t approved a new sunscreen ingredient in nearly 20 years.
Most European sunscreens contain TRIAZINE and TRIAZONE, which 1) rub in easily, 2) leave no white film, and 3) last longer. When I was in Amsterdam, even $2 store-brand sunscreens were better than most U.S. options.
If you know someone traveling to Europe, ask them to bring back a few bottles. My favorite is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Milk SPF 50+ Eco Tube—look for TRIAZINE and TRIAZONE on the label.
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