Let’s face it, not all sunscreens are made equal. Some are chalky, some give off white casts and some are just really heavy. Striking sunscreen gold and finding a product that doesn’t make you look like a ghost is a struggle that Black womxn are all too familiar with and it really shouldn’t be happening. It’s 2020, brands, get it together.
While we’re thankfully moving away from the harmful misconceptions that darker complexions don’t need sunscreen, the beauty industry, unfortunately, isn’t moving fast enough to put out products with Black womxn in mind- aka no white cast necessary. It took me about 4 different products, some tears and going through countless peer-reviews to finally settle on one that ticks all my requirements.
No matter your skin tone, sunscreen is essential and should be worn at all times, even when you’re staying indoors. Without wearing sunscreen, you increase your risk for skin cancer and it can worsen any existing hyperpigmentation concerns. With so much riding on the final step in our morning skincare routines, we sat down with team FEMME MAG to get a sense of what passes the sunscreen test and which ones we’re currently using.
Subomi
So my OG sunscreen has to go to Supergoop. It literally passes the sunscreen test by miles. It’s lightweight, moisturizing, mattifying, water-resistant… Need I go on? Oh, and it also doesn’t leave a white cast!! I’m also pretty fussy about what I put on my face. Products that are heavy or smell like perfumes/chemicals are a big no for me and this is where I feel like a lot of sunscreen brands miss the mark. But not with my OG baby Supergoop. It glides on my skin easily without that heat sensation that some sunscreens give (I can’t be the only one who’s experienced this?). I especially like that it gives my skin a dewy finish (mine isn’t the mattifying kind). The only issue is that Supergoop is an American brand and it’s so hard to find. It’s also a bit pricey in comparison to other drug store sunscreens. However, whenever I can get my hands on Supergoop I am a 101% buying it.
Pei
I use Australian Gold Broad Spectrum SPF 30. I don’t remember exactly why I picked it, I think it was because the sunscreen contains Kakadu plum and tea tree oil, which are both really good for your skin. I mostly use it for my face, because I’m not out in the sun often, and I learned last year that adding sunscreen to your skincare routine helped with breakouts and dullness. I do feel like my skin is a lot brighter and less prone to breakouts, and I like the consistency a lot. It’s a little thick, which I prefer to watery sunscreens, which dry out my skin. I think the only downside is that slight cast you get when you use sunscreen that isn’t made specifically for Black skin. It’s a lot better than what I’ve experienced before, and you just have to blend it in a bit, but I think next time I want something that’s more Black girl-friendly.
Temilade
For a lot of Black womxn, sunscreen can be a really sore subject. It’s not that easy to find a product that just gets it right. Luckily, I’ve had a pretty good run and have used some that do the trick. For me, sunscreen needs to be three things: light, water-resistant and white-cast free. Anything else is for the brand’s pocket. For example, Shiseido’s Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector SPF 42 Sunscreen is a mini dream. It’s very light and it always left me looking really dewy and radiant. It’s a little pricey and I had to say bye to it once I started working because I couldn’t justify spending that much money on sunscreen. I then moved on to one of the most recommended and budget-friendly sunscreen’s: Body Shop Skin Defense Sunscreen. When I tell you that this sunscreen goes on and leaves no trace behind, I’m not kidding. This sunscreen also gave me the same vibes as the Shiseido but was a lot more friendly on my banck account. The latest sunscreen in my arsenal is the Keep Cool Soothe Bamboo Sun Essence. I’m going through a massive K Beauty phase and decided to pick up this highly-recommended product and let me tell you, it lives up to the hype. With most K Beauty products, this Sunscreen is really hydrating and makes you look incredibly supple after.
Morountodun
I use the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Sunscreen Milk. At the beginning of the first lockdown, I was kind of desperate to get sunscreen and La Roche-Posay seemed to be a popular brand. It’s known for its “smart” formulation. This particular sunscreen has a thick consistency but it’s not too heavy. It also leaves no white-cast but has to be rubbed in, which can be a bit tedious. Although this is a great sunscreen, it’s a bit too expensive for me to repurchase so once it’s done, I’ll be switching to the PharmaSolutions SPF50 Sunscreen Lotion. It’s Nigerian-owned, affordable and I’ve heard only great things about it!
