I'm a Beauty Editor With a Deep Skin Tone—20 Sunscreens That Never Let Me Down

Danielle Jinadu Sunscreens For Dark Skin

(Image credit: @daniellejinadu)

As a dark-skinned Black girl growing up in the northernmost corner of the country, I didn't come into much contact with the sun while it was hidden behind near constant rain cloud cover. When the summer months did finally arrive in the Pacific Northwest, I would make the mad dash to the neighborhood drug store in hopes of scoring sunscreen that would be worn for a few weeks and then find a permanent place in a bathroom cabinet to collect dust. It wasn't until I was in my teen years that I received my very first sunburn on the shoulder and was finally convinced of the importance of sunscreen for skin with melanin-kissed skin.

Somehow, the myth that Black people don't need sunscreen has prevailed for generations despite study upon study (and unfortunate personal experience with the harmful effects of the sun's harsh rays) proving otherwise. It's high time for everyone, independent of their skin tone, to incorporate SPF into their everyday routine. Aside from the scarier consequences of skipping sun protection in your skincare lineup; common concerns like uneven tone and texture can be majorly exacerbated by the presence of UVA/UVB and even the blue light from your computer and phone screens.

It is common knowledge, however, that no matter how useful sunscreen is, no one wants to look ghostly after slathering it on. To find your perfect sunscreen match, keep scrolling for my edit of the best mineral and chemical sunscreens that provide silky, sheer, white film-free coverage without sacrificing your gorgeous skin tone.

Sunscreen Sprays

Emmanuelle Koffi Best Sunscreens For Dark Skin

(Image credit: @emmanuellek_)

Sunscreen Lotions and Creams

Danielle Jinadu Best Sunscreens For Dark Skin

(Image credit: @daniellejinadu)
Maya Thomas
Assistant Beauty Editor
Maya Thomas is Who What Wear's assistant beauty editor based just outside of Seattle, Washington. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.