As someone with a darker skin tone, the biggest struggle I've experienced with sunscreens is the dreaded white cast they leave behind on my face and body. And when my go-to sunscreen was discontinued in 2021 (RIP) to comply with Hawaii's reef-safe mandate, I began searching high and low for a suitable replacement ever since. I needed something that wouldn't cause my oily skin to break out ... or transform me into Casper the Friendly Ghost! Thankfully, after interviewing my fellow Black female beauty experts and editors, I learned that the skincare industry has seriously upped its collective game when it comes to sunscreens for darker skin tones.
I got the tea on everything you need to know about sunscreen for darker skin tones, including the importance of wearing SPF and the big chemical versus mineral sunblock debate. I also explored why sunscreens cause a dreadful white cast, as well as shared expert-approved products I plan on adding to my online shopping cart, stat.
The Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin Tones
Do you need sunscreen if you have dark skin?
Real talk: We need to wear sunscreen daily.
Yes, even indoors, if you're exposed to direct sunlight! Our melanin, no matter how deep and beautiful it makes our complexion, only offers an equivalent of SPF 13. Experts at the American Academy of Dermatology suggest we use a sunblock with a minimum of SPF 30 broad-spectrum coverage.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sumayah Jamal, M.D., says the most common misconception about sunscreen in the Black community is that we can't get skin cancer, and therefore sunblock isn't necessary. "We do develop skin cancer, and it's usually discovered at a later and more dangerous stage than in our Caucasian counterparts because of the lack of skin cancer awareness in our community," explains Jamal.
As the director of the Skin of Color Specialty Clinic at Schweiger Dermatology Group, Jamal is extremely well-versed in the latest findings regarding the health of darker skin tones. She says the risk of developing skin cancer is lower for people of African descent, but the survival rate is only 77%, as compared to 91% for Caucasians. "As such, it is prudent for everyone to take protective measures and wear sunscreen," she adds.
What causes the white cast in sunscreen?
When it comes to sunscreens, the biggest gripe the Black beauty experts I consulted with have experienced is white cast. You know — that annoying gray or purple tint that leaves our melanin-rich complexions looking, well, like that meme of Mark Zuckerburg surfing. But what exactly causes us to look so chalky?
The physical blockers found in mineral sunscreens — most notably titanium dioxide and zinc oxide — cause a white cast on darker skin tones, notes Jamal. "You can avoid this effect by buying sunscreens without these ingredients or buying sunblocks with micronized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide," she says.
Should I use a mineral or chemical sunscreen?
Sunscreens fall into two categories: mineral and chemical. They are both safe and effective, but also have their benefits and limitations. Here's an at-a-glance view of both types of sunblocks.
Chemical sunscreens
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Does not cause a white cast
- Readily available from familiar brands like Neutrogena, Banana Boat, and Coppertone
Cons:
- 15- to 30-minute wait time before sun exposure
- Partially soaks into your skin, but "absorption does not equal risk," says the FDA
- Not naturally broad-spectrum, meaning you sometimes only get protection from UVA or UVB rays
Common ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and homosalate
Mineral sunscreens, aka physical blockers:
Pros:
- Offers immediate sun protection — aka no wait time
- Naturally broad-spectrum
- Considered a safer option
- Gentle enough for sensitive skin and children
- Typically lasts longer in direct sunlight
- When white cast fades, it serves as a reminder to reapply
Cons:
- Feels heavier than chemical SPFs
- More likely to cause a white cast
Common ingredients: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
How We Chose
The only thing better than finally discovering a non-ashy sunscreen that works for darker skin tones is to find nine that have been cosigned by fellow Black women. And as for the tenth pick, well ... let's just say if it's good enough for legendary tennis star Venus Williams, it's good enough for me!
My favorite attribute about these suggestions is that most are founded by women from the Black and AAPI beauty communities. Because who wouldn't want to shop for beauty products created for us, by us? An added bonus: These sunscreens for darker skin tones start at just $13!
Here are the 10 best sunscreens for darker skin tones.
1
Best Overall
Unseen Sunscreen
This clean mineral sunscreen combines hydrating meadowfoam with soothing frankincense to leave your face with a velvety finish. And given its fragrance-free formula, weightless feel, and the praise it's earned from multiple experts, I named it the best overall sunscreen for darker skin tones.
Bianca Gracie, the managing editor of Edition by Modern Luxury, says she’s been loyal to this mineral sunscreen for the past four years. “I love that it keeps my oil-prone skin matte throughout the day, while also not leaving that incredibly unflattering white cast,” she says.
Ineye Komonibo, the Unbothered culture critic at Refinery29, considers the $34 price tag “totally worth it” for anyone with oily skin like herself. “The Unseen sunscreen goes on clear and smooth, leaving your skin looking supple — not at all ashy like other products might,” she says.
And Gracie and Komonibo aren’t the only ones who love this sunblock! Beauty influencer Natacha John also finds it does not create a white cast on her oily, acne-prone skin. “Unseen is great for deeper skin tones because the formula is completely clear, which is genius! I don’t know why brands weren’t making them this way sooner,” she says. “It’s also great because it has a smoothing/blurring effect, and is residue-free.”
More: Why I Can't Get Enough of These 20 New Beauty Products
2
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Dew The Most Sheer Moisturizer
John is also a fan of this Black female-founded brand’s sunscreen “because it instantly melts into the skin, and leaves it with a healthy glow that isn’t wet or greasy looking.”
The broad-spectrum sunblock offers SPF 30 coverage and contains niacinamide (vitamin B3), an ultra-gentle ingredient that can help fade your dark spots. There’s also vitamin E, which provides around-the-clock hydration and antioxidant protection.
Free of pesky parabens, mineral oils, and phthalates, this sunscreen is safe for all skin types — especially for those with acne-prone skin.
3
Best for Dry Skin
Resting Beach Face SPF30 Sunscreen
“The only requirement I have for my sunscreen is that it should never leave a white cast — this sunscreen from Everyday Humans checks that box, and so much more,” says Nerisha Penrose, the beauty commerce editor at ELLE. “The formula is lightweight and glides onto the skin like butter. Plus, it smells like a breezy summer day lounging by the beach.”
It’s infused with antioxidant-rich spinach and green tea, as well as hyaluronic acid to help hydrate Penrose’s dry skin.
A bonus for eco-conscious readers: The AAPI- and female-founded brand is Climate-Neutral-certified, meaning Everyday Humans is committed to reducing emissions based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
4
Best for Sensitive Skin
Moisture-Locking Sunscreen
Licensed aesthetician and clinical skincare expert Brittaney Trent considers this sunblock a staple in her daily skincare routine. “It's Black-owned and packed with the best ingredients for melanated skin, like castor oil and shea butter to moisturize, and vitamins E and A to fight aging ... all while providing protection from the sun with SPF 30,” says Trent.
The New York-based beauty expert adds that the non-greasy sunscreen is great for anyone with dry skin, and notes that it leaves her face moisturized and glowing.
Urban Hydration is also safe and gentle for anyone dealing with eczema, thanks to its silicone- and paraben-free formula. It’s made with soothing aloe vera extract to surge your skin with additional moisture.
5
Best for Face and Body
Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion
When Adrienne Williams, the valuation manager at The RealReal, wants to protect her skin from the sun’s harsh rays, she reaches for Black Girl Sunscreen.
“It was created by a Black woman for Black and melanated people, so you don’t have to worry about the gray ashiness that comes with a lot of mineral sunscreens,” she says. Williams uses it on her face, and highlights its “lightweight and hydrating” lotion-like texture as a win.
Nikki Croney, the PR director at Foundation, understands the importance of wearing sunblock daily, and she also loves to apply Black Girl Sunscreen on her body. “Black Girl Sunscreen speaks for itself — no white or purple cast on my skin.”
The fragrance-free sunscreen is made with moisturizing ingredients — think avocado, jojoba, and sunflower oils — to keep your skin soft and supple. There’s also cacao, which is rich in antioxidants and has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.
You can also rely on this water-resistant sunblock for your upcoming warm-weather travels. Just don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen after taking a dip, or after 80 minutes of wear!
6
Best Splurge
UV Essentiel Sunscreen
Makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown helps Tracee Ellis Ross, Alicia Keys, and Gabrielle Union primp for red carpet events, so when she recommends a product, I listen keenly.
“I tend to get more oily as the day wears on, so a more matte, textured sunscreen as primer works best for me! I use Chanel UV Essentiel daily under makeup,” says Reiko Brown, who has combination skin.
This sunscreen offers broad-spectrum coverage to protect against signs of aging and burning. Plus, it’s made with antioxidant-rich Life Plant PFA, which is Chanel’s proprietary ingredient. There’s also desert yeast extract to help protect against pollution and moisturize your skin.
7
Best for a Luminous Glow
Organic Sun Silk Drops
When Jamal's patients want their skin to look dewy, she recommends this travel-friendly bottle of sunscreen. Its non-comedogenic formula contains nourishing hyaluronic acid and plant-derived ingredients to protect against pollution and blue light emitted from our devices.
It also combines three ingredients — avobenzone, octisalate, and octocrylene — to shield your skin from the sun.
8
Best Tinted SPF
Force Shield Sunscreen
Hero Cosmetics makes my favorite pimple patches, so when Croney highlighted their sunblock as her go-to face sunscreen, I was intrigued. She's based in Los Angeles, and notes that this non-greasy and non-comedogenic product works great for her oily skin.
Don’t let Force Shield's sheer green tint fool you, either — its hue comes from botanicals like green tea leaf extract, and it blends into the skin with ease while camouflaging redness on your face. (It's basically similar to a color corrector or green concealer.)
This broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen is also fragrance-free, and uses zinc oxide to help block the sun’s harsh rays.
9
Best 3-in-1 Sunscreen
Hueguard Mineral SPF 30 Primer
Amanda Mitchell, the senior beauty writer at Refinery29, used to order Korean sunscreens off Amazon before discovering Live Tinted's Hueguard. (She's already used up three tubes of Hueguard since its launch last summer.)
"LiveTinted's Hueguard truly has no business whatsoever being as good as it is. You could use the entire tube on your face and it would never leave a cast, which is nearly unheard of for mineral sunscreen," says Mitchell.
While chemical sunblocks still have a special place in Mitchell's heart, she likes the convenience that mineral sunscreens offer. "I can't wait the 15-minute effectiveness period before sun exposure, which is why I lean toward mineral sunscreens, particularly in the wintertime," she adds.
This sunscreen acts as a moisturizer, face primer, and sunscreen all in one, leaving behind a soft, natural glow on your face.
10
Best Mineral Sunscreen
Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35
Dissecting clean beauty can get complicated real quick. For starters, standards vary across brands, retailers, and even continents. Not to mention, the FDA doesn’t regulate clean beauty products in the same way it monitors other industries.
What’s comforting about Venus Williams’ sunscreen is that it’s sold at Credo, the clean beauty world’s equivalent of Sephora. The retailer will not stock a product if it contains one of 2,700 (!!) ingredients that it considers questionable.
The legendary tennis ace’s mineral sunscreen has a lightweight, serum-like feel that promises to absorb quickly and not leave behind a dreaded white cast. Zinc oxide acts as a physical blocker against the sun’s rays, while prickly pear moisturizes and soothes tired skin.
Nicole Saunders
Beauty Editor
Nicole Saunders is the Beauty Editor at BestProducts.com, where she oversees coverage on all things beauty.
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