Let’s talk about suncare – skincare that helps protect you from the sun’s uv rays. Even if you don’t go outside, you should wear sunscreen everyday. It is a myth that our melanin completely protects us from the sun.
BOLDEN BRIGHTENING MOISTURIZER
Our SPF 30 face moisturizer combines broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection with Vitamin C, known for brightening skin tone, and diminishing signs of sun damage. It dries on clear without leaving chalky off-white residue. Bolden products are made without sulfates, parabens or phthalates.
HYDRA VIZOR FRAGRANCE-FREE INVISIBLE MOISTURIZER BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30 SUNSCREEN WITH NIACIN AMID + KALAHARI MELON
This 2-in-1 moisturizer and sunscreen is lightweight, oil free, and truly invisible on all skin tones. It claps back at dehydration, discoloration, dark spots. Makeup-friendly, too: No pilling and zero flashback.
I love the Dr Bolden Skincare Brightening Moisturizer and the Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer the best. They don’t leave a white cast and both have a slight fragrance which I like. (If you prefer fragrance-free Fenty Skin now offers unscented.)
UNSUN
Founded by Katonya Breaux in 2016, after much frustration by the lack of options within the world of clean sunscreen products for women of color. Unsun Cosmetics was created to provide clean, no-residue options that were kind to the person using it as well as the environment it’s being used in.
Unsun Cosmetics offers multiple SPF products from face lotion to body highlight. My favorite is their Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen. Their formula has a thick creamy consistency that leaves you with a glow.
CAY SKIN
Cay Skin is a new suncare line by supermodel Winnie Harlow. She offers multiple products as well. I am most excited to try her Isle Lip Balm SPF 30; I haven’t seen anything like this before.
Winnie is a highly respected advocate for self-acceptance and inclusivity, and a trailblazer who has changed the face of fashion and beauty by embracing her autoimmune disorder and skin condition Vitiligo. This condition has made her exceptionally passionate and serious about creating better-for-you skincare and suncare protection. In 2018, she suffered a severe sun burn and sun damage from an all day outdoor photoshoot, that permanently changed her vitiligo. This experience inspired her to create CAY SKIN.
Venus Williams and Naomi Osaka both have skincare lines including sunscreen. Tennis players spend so much time in the sun; it only makes sense they would come out with products to protect melanated skin.
ELEVEN
ELEVEN BY VENUS WILLIAMS is a lightweight facial sun serum that combines sun protection with silky hydration. For daily use over moisturizer or under makeup. Quick absorption leaves skin with a smooth, demi-matte velvety finish.
The clean, reef-safe formula utilizes Zinc Oxide (25%) to protect skin from the sun’s harmful rays – this product is physical, or mineral, SPFs and not chemical SPFs. It’s vegan and cruelty-free and rooted in natural/naturally-derived ingredients.
KINLO
Designed for Black and Brown skin tones, KINLÒ products are formulated with natural ingredients like jojoba seed oil, hemp seed, and green tea to address common melanated skin concerns. From blue light and sun protection, to healing and nourishment, KINLÒ products help you build a skin ritual to Stay Golden the right way
Last but not least are Buttah Skin and Black Girl Sunscreen. Both of these brands are pretty well known companies. Black Girl Suncreen was the first Black-owned sunscreen I tried. I love it especially for full body protection. I also love that they have expanded into sunscreen for children as well.
BUTTAH
Sun protection that blends with your melanin.
With natural skincare top of mind, this lightweight lotion is free of chemicals, parabens and flavorings for a gentle way to protect your face, neck and chest from the harmful rays of the sun. Unlike chemical based formula sunscreens, our mineral sunscreen is designed to work as a barrier against the sun and deflects light instead of absorbing it. Best of all, our formula goes on clear (promise!) and vanishes to a matte finish so the real you can shine through!
BLACK GIRL SUNSCREEN
Our story begins with the need for a sunscreen brand that caters exclusively to women of color.
From carrying expensive umbrellas to the beach to avoiding the sunshine all together, women of color have come up with their own methods of protecting their skin. For years, sunscreen has been tailored to light skin individuals, leaving behind a visible white-residue on our darker skin sisters. Blotchy makeup and white residue were enough to keep people from truly enjoying a beautiful sunny day. Our founder thought it was about time to change that.
Remember not all sunscreens are made equal or formulated for melanated skin. We hope this list keeps you protected and glowing all year around.
Jeanine Askew
Nevahblackdown
NevahBlackDown 