Best Sunscreen For Black, Dark & Brown Skin

Most people think that sunscreen is only used by people with fair and light skin tones because white skin shows burn more visibly than darker skin tones.

Worryingly, in one survey 63% of African Americans said that they never use sunscreen.

However, black, dark and brown skin tones can still suffer from UV sun damage.

Since different skin tones react differently to the sun, you need the right sunscreen for your skin tone.

We’ve picked out the very best sunscreen for black skin on the market.

1. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Eventone Suncare

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E, Eventone Suncare Sunscreen Lotion has an SPF of 30.

This is the best sunscreen for dark skin tones because it protects your skin with the daily recommended SPF.

It moisturizes and nourishes your skin with Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E.

Additionally, it blends smoothly into your skin without leaving white spots. These are hard to mix in with deeper skin complexions.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Eventone Suncare contains cocoa butter, shea butter and coconut oil.

These are moisturizing ingredients, not sunscreen filters. The sun protection comes from the active ingredients listed on the Drug Facts label.

Not to mention, the cocoa butter gives this sunscreen and delightful scent. It’s sweeter compared to most other brands of sunscreen that have an alcohol or chemical scent.

Different Skin Types Explained

Palmer’s is the best sunscreen for dark skin because it provides so many benefits for taking care of your dark skin that other brands lack.

Palmer’s says its CocoaPlex blend helps even out skin tone. Daily broad spectrum sunscreen itself helps prevent sun-related dark spots and premature aging.

Check the label for its water resistance time (40 or 80 minutes) and reapply after that. It has UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum protection to leave a sheer radiance on skin without any white, pasty residue.

Palmer’s is the best sunscreen for brown skin because it doesn’t leave the skin greasy or oily. Rather, it moisturizes and protects the skin.

There aren’t any visible dry patches or white lines when you’re out in the sun.

While some people don’t think that sunscreen is as important for people with black skin, it is!

It’s very important for you to use sunscreen and protect your skin every time that you’re exposed to the sun.

Why don’t people with dark skin get sunburned like people with light skin?

People with darker skin tones have more melanin in their skin than light skinned people. Melanin protects our skin from sun damage.

However, melanin offers only some additional, minimal protection, according to Cleveland Clinic. It’s not enough on its own to protect you from sunburn and skin cancer.

Dermatologists recommend SPF 30 or higher for daily use in the sun.

Of course, there are many sunscreens on the market that have SPF of at least 30 and protect your skin from UVA and UVB damage.

What Makes Palmer’s Cocoa Butter the Best Sunscreen for Black Skin?

It leaves no white residue on dark skin.

This is a problem with many sunscreen brands. They market to people with whiter skin tones because they think they need sunscreen more.

However, skin cancer can be harder to identify on darker skin tones. It’s easy to spot new and developing dark spot and abnormalities on white skin tones because the pigmentation is so light.

It may take more time for someone to notice any beginning signs of developing skin cancer on darker skin tones.

This is because the dark spots and abnormalities can blend in with deeper complexions.

Skin cancer in people with darker skin tones is often diagnosed in its later stages, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. By then it can be harder to treat.

While it seems like sunscreen may not be that big of an issue for deep complexioned people, it’s crucial for the health of your skin to protect it from the sun and prevent skin cancer cells from developing.

2. Solbar Shield SPF40

This is a fantastic sunscreen for anyone, but works especially well on darker skin for a number of reasons.

This goes onto skin really smoothly and evenly, making it easier to blend in while providing great coverage.

I’ve chosen a nice, high factor to help you stay safe in the sun but there are lower SPFs available if you prefer (just make sure you reapply often!).

This sunscreen contains zinc oxide. Dermatologists often recommend mineral sunscreens like this for sensitive skin.

This is a perfect formula for darker skin as the sunscreen becomes transparent when applied. No streaky patches!

This is a ‘broad spectrum’ sunscreen, meaning you’re protected against both UVA and UVB rays, both of which are harmful to the skin.

It’s labeled hypoallergenic, which makes it worth a look if you have sensitive skin.

3. Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

I know, I know – it’s branded as a baby product.

It might sound a little bit strange, but I often turn to baby products when I’m struggling to find something safe and natural for my sensitive skin!

This sunscreen is ideal for anyone with darker skin who suffers from dry or sensitive skin ­as it’s made with sensitive skin in mind.

It offers full protection against UVA and UVB rays and is a nice, high SPF so can be worn year-round and on vacation.

The minerals in this product do rest on your skin as opposed to fully sinking in, so make sure you spend some time really blending it in to avoid streaks.

Once rubbed in, it’s invisible so it suits all skin colors and tones.

4. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Face Sunscreen Ultra-Light Fluid with Antioxidants

This is a wonderful sunscreen designed for all skin types, and is great for people with darker skin as it blends in really nicely.

This is another ‘broad spectrum’ sunscreen and is really high in SPF so is a good choice if you’re going on vacation or already live in a country that gets a lot of sun (lucky you!).

This product also contains antioxidants – we all know that these are good for us but may not fully understand why…

Free radicals are unstable molecules that UV exposure helps create. They can damage cells, which contributes to wrinkles and, over time, skin cancer.

Antioxidants help neutralize them, but they add to sunscreen; they don’t replace it.

5. Kanebo Sensai Silky Bronze Cellular Protective Stick Spf 30

This one has such great reviews that I couldn’t skip it!

This SPF 30 sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, which we all know now to be a good thing.

I included this for its coverage ­more than anything else.

Not only is it super hydrating, it also blends in amazingly­-well, making it a fantastic option for all skin colors and tones. It’s lightweight and non-greasy, too.

It also contains something called ‘CPX Vital Extract’ that acts as a sort of youth serum.

The brand says it supports skin against sun damage. No sunscreen reverses existing wrinkles, though daily use helps prevent new sun damage.

6. Heliocare SPF 50 Gel

This sunscreen has been pretty widely suggested as one of the absolute best products for anyone with dark skin.

Its USP – ‘fernblock’. You’ve never heard of it for a reason, as it’s an ingredient unique to this brand.

It’s an extract from a fern, and the brand says it adds protection against sun damage.

This blends really nicely so is perfect for all skin colors and tones, and it’s marketed with anti-aging ingredients. Treat those as extras; the SPF does the main work.

7. Sun Bum Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion

This is the last product for this guide.

This sunscreen has so many things going for it in general.

It’s vegan, hypoallergenic, protects against UVA and UVB rays and is water-resistant.

The reason it made it to this list, however, is its transparency!

This sunscreen blends in really nicely and won’t leave you with any dodgy streaks or clumps.

This goes on very smoothly and doesn’t feel greasy and oily.

It’s also got pretty great sticking-power and is water-resistant, so, although reapplying throughout the day is important, you won’t constantly be stressing about it…

Admittedly, it is a fragranced product, which I’d normally steer clear of, but it’s a great product nonetheless. Well worth considering!

Conclusion

It’s hard enough to find a sunscreen that leaves no residue or white streaks on your dark skin. Palmer’s does this and also has so many additional benefits for your skin.

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t try this brand.

That’s why we’ve decided that it’s the best sunscreen for black skin on the market. It smells wonderful and blends in without a white cast.

Can’t wait to get your hands on it? Get it on Amazon today!

Sources

• Why Sunscreen Is an Important Tool for People of Color, Cleveland Clinic
• Skin cancer statistics, American Academy of Dermatology
• How to select a sunscreen, American Academy of Dermatology