Skincare

13 best sunscreens for dark skin that won’t look ashy

02/06/2024

Sunscreens for dark skin have come a long way since the outdated formulas that would leave your skin feeling like you smothered it in multiple layers of Sudocrem (if you know, you know). Thankfully, the new and improved SPF iterations won’t have you looking like you’re cosplaying as Casper the Friendly Ghost.

That said, even with the improvement in the sunscreen category for dark skin, there’s still the rather damaging narrative that Black and brown skin doesn’t need sunscreen. Admittedly, even I used to think that sunscreen was only necessary to use on hot, sunny days. Luckily, I have since been educated on why that simply isn’t true.

The increased presence of melanin in darker skin does provide a protective cloak that absorbs most of the destructive sun rays that can lead to diseases like skin cancer. And research does show that Black people on average have a natural SPF of 13.4. However, people with darker skin tones are still susceptible to the damaging effects of the sun.

Best sunscreens for dark skin at a glance:

Best lightweight sunscreen for dark skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Oil Control Fluid SPF50+
Best non-comedogenic sunscreen for dark skin: Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect
Best affordable sunscreen for dark skin: Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen Fluid SPF30
Best SPF30 sunscreen for dark skin: Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVmune 400 Oil Control Fluid SPF50+

~~£20~~ £16 AT LOOKFANTASTIC

£20 AT CULT BEAUTY

Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect Age-Defying Moisturiser SPF 30

£57 AT MEDIK8

Altruist Face Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50

£9.99 AT AMAZON

Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30

£14.99 AT AMAZON

People with darker skin especially need protection from UVA rays, which age the skin and exacerbate common Black skin issues such as hyperpigmentation and melasma. Likewise, to a lesser extent, UVB rays burn the skin and also affect darker skin tones by fuelling malignant DNA and cellular damage. Whilst the statistics are lower for the Black community, it’s still possible for Black skin to develop both sun-related and non sun-related skin cancers.

Long story short, experts highly recommend applying sunscreen every day, regardless of your skin tone. Even on cloudy days or when you’re at home, UVA rays can still penetrate through glass and surround us regardless of the weather. It’s also important to apply sunscreen whilst you’re on a plane – UVA rays do come through the windows and at 35,000 feet, they are significantly more intense.

How to find a good sunscreen for your dark skin:

When it comes to skincare, clearly one size does not fit all, and this especially holds true for sunscreen. While dark skin provides some natural protection against UV damage, it’s simply not enough, so it’s crucial to top up your natural SPF to prevent sunburn, pigmentation issues and the increased risk of skin cancer. Here’s what to look for when searching for the perfect sunscreen for your dark skin:

WATCHNicola Coughlan & Lydia West play GLAMOUR’s Bestie Test

Broad-spectrum protection: Look for a sunscreen labelled “broad-spectrum”. This means it offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays can lead to premature ageing, while UVB rays cause sunburn.
SPF Level: Opt for a sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30. SPF 30 filters out approximately 97% of UVB rays, providing adequate protection for daily use.
Non-comedogenic: Darker skin can be more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. To avoid exacerbating this issue, choose a non-comedogenic sunscreen that won’t clog pores.
Mineral and chemical sunscreens: Dark skin can generally tolerate both mineral (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) and chemical (avobenzone, octisalate, etc.) sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens are often preferred for their gentle and broad-spectrum protection.
Check for a white cast: Some mineral sunscreens may leave a white cast on brown and dark skin tones. This is because of the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide which is prominent in many of their formulas. It remains on the skin’s surface rather than being absorbed, so they tend to leave a white cast, leading to an ashy look. However, many formulas have been adapted to avoid this, so test out the sunscreen on a small area of your skin to ensure it blends in seamlessly.

How we tested sunscreens for dark skin

Throughout the years, the GLAMOUR team has collectively tried hundreds of sunscreen formulations, having tested a variety of formulas on darker skin tones. When reviewing each formula, we assessed whether or not it left a white cast, and how well the sunscreens worked on skin issues such as acne and hyperpigmentation.

Scroll to view our edit of the best sunscreens for dark skin…

Best invisible lightweight sunscreen for dark skinLa Roche-Posay Anthelios Oil Control Fluid SPF50+
- SPF level: 50
- Chemical or mineral: Chemical
Why we love it: This sunscreen created in a lightweight formula, works hard not only to give you protection against overexposure to UV rays, but also wards off excess shine, to give you a naturally matte finish as well as keeping breakouts at bay. All this without leaving you with a white-cast.Save when you shop for SPF for dark skin with these LookFantastic discount codes.~~£20~~ £16 AT LOOKFANTASTIC£20 AT CULT BEAUTY
Best gel sunscreen for dark skinGlossier Invisible Shield SPF50
- SPF level: 50
- Chemical or mineral: Chemical
Why we love it: This sunscreen comes in a gel texture that leaves no white cast. It contains aloe vera to help soothe skin after a long period of sun exposure. Rice phyto-compounds are full of antioxidants, which helps neutralise free radicals and protects skin from pollution and blue light. Thanks to the sunscreen’s silk-like finish, it’s also great to wear under makeup.£32 AT GLOSSIER
Best SPF30 sunscreen for dark skinBlack Girl Sunscreen SPF30
- SPF level: 30
- Chemical or mineral: Chemical
Why we love it: When you think of sunscreen that is suitable to use on darker skin, Black Girl Sunscreen is one of the first ones that comes to mind. This moisturising formula contains key ingredients like avocado oil to help reduce signs of ageing and treat sunburn. Jojoba oil soothes the skin and sunflower oil prevents skin irritation and provides inflammation relief.£14.99 AT AMAZON
Best non-comedogenic sunscreen for dark skinMedik8 Advanced Day Total Protect
- SPF level: 30
- Chemical or mineral: Chemical
Why we love it: This non-comedogenic sunscreen is a triple-threat. It gives you hydration, sun-protection and it also carries anti-ageing properties in its formula. Despite it being high SPF with a creamy consistency, this Medik8 sunscreen is still lightweight and fast absorbing, powered with antioxidants and peptides that can repair collagen in the skin overtime.£57 AT MEDIK8