• Rewards Room
    • You are here
    Home / Skin Care / Sun damage / Pigmentation / A guide to SPF for darker skin tones

    A guide to SPF for darker skin tones

    27 May 2020 10:56 AM | Posted by
    bh's Ruby Cotton's picture
    bh's Ruby Cotton
    Comment

    Every skin tone, no matter how light or dark, is at risk of developing sun-related skin cancers, wrinkles, sun spots and hyperpigmentation.  

    There is a dangerous misconception that those with darker skin tones don’t need daily SPF, but the truth is, we all do.

    RELATED: 6 ways to minimise the appearance of dark circles

    RELATED: How to structure a basic skin care routine using active ingredients

    We’ve seen SPF move from a product found only in chemists, to a skincare staple sold in all major beauty stores, and hailed by every skin expert.

    And even more recently, we're seeing brands cater to a much needed gap in the market: sunscreen for darker skin tones. 

    As a lot of sunscreens are mineral-based (also known as physical sunscreens), they contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which often leave a white, chalky cast.  Not exactly ideal if said white cast is incredibly obvious in contrast to your skin tone.

    Chemical sunscreens, although more transparent and thinner in texture, can also have the downside of being irritating and not suitable to those with sensitive skin. So it can be hard to find a happy medium.

    One of the leading innovators in this industry, Katonya Breaux (who happens to also be the mother of music legend Frank Ocean), expressed her frustrations of this very issue in the form of a tweet back in 2013.

     

    She then took matters into her own hands, developing her own brand of mineral sunscreens for darker tones: UnSun. 

    Seven years on, UnSun is among several brands doing great things in the SPF world, so we thought they all deserved a little shout out.

    Here are seven sunscreen picks that will offer daily protection without the ashy residue:

    1. Dermalogica Protection Sport SPF 50

    2. Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ (available at Sephora)

    3. Kiehls Activated Sun Protector Sunscreen Aqua Lotion for Face and Body Broad Spectrum SPF 30

    4. Invisible Zinc 4HR Water Resistant Sunscreen SPF50+ UVA-UVB

    5. La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Anti-Shine Dry Touch Facial Sunscreen SPF50+

    6. Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum (available at net-a-porter.com)

    7. Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF 50 Soft Focus Makeup Setting Spray (available at net-a-porter.com)

    Main image credit: @unsuncosmetics

    Have you ever had this issue? Has it deterred you from wearing a daily SPF?

     

    Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

    Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.

    La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Anti-Shine Dry Touch Facial Sunscreen SPF50+
    Write a Review
    Invisible Zinc 4HR Water Resistant Sunscreen SPF50+ UVA-UVB
    Write a Review

    You might also like

    SPF products your skin will love

    73 Comments

    3 things to look for in a sunscreen

    95 Comments

    Why I’m wearing SPF sun protection all winter long

    68 Comments

    A MAC chemist has helped Crayola create an entire range of skin tone-coloured crayons

    78 Comments

    32 Member Comments

    Nicholaske 29 Oct 2020 10:38 PM

    Interesting article

    Bellefleur 2 Jun 2020 11:58 AM

    Love a good SPF - so important to wear it all year round.

    Jessica712 2 Jun 2020 10:24 AM

    Im not a fan of the that white residue from sunscreen, so I cant even imagine how annoying it is for people with darker tones where its more noticeable.

    cityglenda 31 May 2020 9:17 PM

    I have never thought of this. It explains why my skin looks whiter with SPF even under foundation.

    Beauty Fan 69 31 May 2020 3:11 PM

    Thanks for the read.

    Elunia 30 May 2020 8:51 PM

    The white cast of sunscreen does not look good on most people especially when you see your skin in photos. But I can imagine it looking much worse on darker skin tones. I have now moved to a oil sunscreen which has no colour.

    IndieAna 30 May 2020 2:05 PM

    Great idea, I have light/medium skintone and hate a white cast

    Karma Llama 29 May 2020 8:22 PM

    Something that never occurred to me from my white privileged position.

    Miramarmari 29 May 2020 4:45 PM

    Great article

    Jay.dogga1986 29 May 2020 12:24 PM

    informative article.

    onlyoni 29 May 2020 9:12 AM

    I'm fair but use a tinted sunscreen such as Invisible Zinc or La Roche-Posay on my face and an un-tinted high SPF on my body. I can imagine how difficult it must be for people with darker skin.

    Nicoler112 29 May 2020 8:22 AM

    interesting read, loving the more diverse articles. Keep up the good work beautyheaven

    Meedee 29 May 2020 6:51 AM

    My skin is pale but even so I hate the white cast so it must be a huge struggle for those with darker skin tones.

    Chrystalage 29 May 2020 12:07 AM

    That's a great idea. All sunscreens feel very uncomfortable (tacky or irritating or both) on my face. I can live with the cast but the feel, I can't seem to shake off.

    Nys Silver 28 May 2020 9:36 PM

    Interesting read!

    clearcrystalwater 28 May 2020 4:31 PM

    I'm really excited to try the Ultra Facial Defense SPF50+ by SkinCeuticals!

    Yohanna 28 May 2020 3:40 PM

    Oh, wish there was a perfect sunscreen for face. All chemical based ones burn my eyes and leave very awful bitter chemical taste in my mouth when wearing them. All so far physical ones feel and look heavy on the skin and dehydrating to top skin layer. I'm using atm mix screen one, but can not apply around the eyes so this area is always unprotected. Unsure if sunnies do anything (level 3)

    Miss19 28 May 2020 2:21 PM

    I have always hated the white cast when using sunscreen. If there was a way to have one that goes on clear that would be great

    S-P 29 May 2020 8:14 PM

    Give the Reef sunscreen a try. I found it to go on easily and not leave any white residue.

    Miss19 29 May 2020 11:07 PM

    Thanks for letting me know! Which one is it or is there only one type?

    S-P 6 Jun 2020 5:56 PM

    Sorry for the delay in replying Miss19.
    The Reef sunscreen is Reef Coconut Sunscreen Lotion (SPF50) https://www.priceline.com.au/reef-coconut-sunscreen-lotion-spf50-150-ml?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx-XWptrs6QIVjoSRCh31JAESEAYYBSABEgIBdfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

    Miss19 6 Jun 2020 6:35 PM

    Thank you!

    Frenchy1 28 May 2020 1:23 PM

    We need to have more skin tone diversity. EVERY ONE needs a sunscreen they feel comfortable using.

    Gilded 28 May 2020 3:17 PM

    I like spfs with a tint. Less chance of a white cast.

    AndreaD 28 May 2020 11:45 AM

    Great article to keep up my sleeve! I use the La Roche Posay and Invisible Zinc and can vouch for there being no white cast.

    Pages

    You need to log in or become a member to post a comment.
    TOP