BLACK PEOPLE NEED SUNSCREEN TOO!
Ok I’m done yelling, but seriously: just because you have dark skin doesn’t mean you don’t need sunscreen. We have a harder time finding sunscreens that look good on our skin and don’t leave a ghostly white cast. Today I’m sharing 4 sunscreens that actually WORK on our skin, from low end to high end, as well as sharing texture photos of each one.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, they’re marked with 💰. If you use them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only link to products I genuinely like to use, and not because of the commission. Whether or not you decide to buy something using my affiliate links is completely up to you.
Swatches
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 45
($18.99 for 2 at Ulta = $9.50 for 3 oz) – I learned about this sunscreen from this video by Naturally Curly, and I’ve been using it ever since. There are multiple SPF strengths available- I’ve used the SPF 30 and the SPF 45. Out of these 4 sunscreens, this one leaves the tiniest white cast but it isn’t very noticeable so I’m ok with it. It starts out as a white, somewhat thick cream but dries down to a matte finish. It rubs in easily and doesn’t feel heavy on my skin.
💰Shop here (twin pack)
Black Girl Sunscreen Original
($15.99 for 3 oz at Target) – This sunscreen leaves a little shine to the skin and doesn’t dry down matte, but it layers well underneath silicone primers if you want to take the shine away (I’ve been using the Smashbox Photo Finish primer to take the shine away) They now make a matte version too! That one is a little more expensive, but you don’t need to layer another primer on top since it has that gel/ silicone texture.
[RELATED POST: Black Girl Sunscreen Reviews: Original vs Make it Matte]
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen
($34 for 1.7 oz at Sephora) – I love that this is a completely clear sunscreen, so there’s no chance of getting a white cast at all! It dries down to a matte finish and feels like a silicone primer, so it’s a great sunscreen to use underneath makeup. The only concern I have with this is that I’m not applying as much as I should be. According to skincancer.org, we should be applying a nickel-sized amount to our face and about a shot glass full (or two tablespoons) for our full face and body. I don’t want to apply that much primer to my face, so it’s probably best to layer another sunscreen underneath this one if you’ll be outside.
Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect
(£55 = about $72 for 1.7 oz) – I got this sunscreen in Caroline Hirons’ Spring Kit in May 2020, and it’s a moisturizer and SPF in one. Normally I like to keep those products separate because I don’t feel that 2-in-1 products do a good job at being either one, but this surprised me (I knew CH wouldn’t let us down). This is more of a sunscreen that just happens to moisturize instead of a moisturizer that happens to have some SPF mixed in. It’s the thickest texture of the 4 shown, but it’s very hydrating and rubs in nicely. It doesn’t dry down completely matte, but it doesn’t leave me too shiny either.
Do you have a favorite sunscreen for your face and/or body? What do you look for when choosing a sunscreen? I hope this post helped give you some suggestions if you’re looking for a new one!
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