This archive report was first published on 26 October 2019.
Contrary to popular belief, skin tone is not a determining factor in whether or not you need to wear sunscreen. In fact, every skin tone needs sun protection, regardless of melanin levels.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun don't care about how light or dark you are; they still pose a risk to the health of your skin. Although skin cancer is extremely rare among people of colour, we are all still at risk of sun damage.
Getting darker or getting a 'tan' from the sun is an indicator of sun damage. This is because more melanin is produced to protect damaged cells from sun exposure. Sun exposure without protection also causes premature ageing, sunburn, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration.
For protection from harmful UV rays, U.S.-based esthetician Nayamka Roberts-Smith recommends a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) between 30 and 50. Anything above SPF 50 is ineffective and nothing more than a marketing tool to make you spend more money than you need to.
Makeup and skincare products with SPF in them are not as effective as generic sunscreens. Always accompany your other beauty products with a separate sunscreen.
Finding a good sunscreen for darker skin can be a challenge. Gel-based sunscreens are a great option because they disappear into the skin, and there are some cream-based sunscreens in the beauty market that won't make you look ashy. Some brands that produce dark skin-friendly sunscreens are Neutrogena, Glossier, and Olay.
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