The warmer season is officially upon us in South Africa, which means my favourite 3 S’s—shorts, skin and, sunscreen.
Now, before my more-melanated readers decide to quit reading, the fact is that you need this information just as much as your paler counterparts. Despite the misinformation going around on every tech billionaire’s social media app, the facts are simple—BLACK PEOPLE NEED TO BE USING SUNSCREENS.
Why Do Black People Need Sunscreen?
Black may not crack, but that doesn’t mean you’re immune to the sun’s harsh rays, and their effects. Here are a few reasons why you should be dousing your skin in sunscreen;
1. Skin Cancer
Skin cancer remains among the 5 most common cancers in South Africa. While the Black population faces a lower risk compared to White, Indian/Asian, and Mixed‐race populations in the country, that doesn’t mean that the risk is non-existent.
Unfortunately, because many people of colour think they’re immune to skin cancer, they often only visit a doctor once the cancer has advanced and is more aggressive to treat. Sunscreen works to block ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun as, when absorbed by the skin, UV radiation damages the skin and can lead to sunburns and skin cancer.
2. Sun Damage
Black people may not get tanned, but they can still experience sun damage, which can lead to photoaging (this is when the sun prematurely ages the skin), sunburns and, you guessed it, skin cancer.
3. Hyperpigmentation
You can’t be concerned about stubborn dark spots and still choose to not wear sunscreen. Seriously, do better.
Best Sunscreens For Black Skin
So, it’s clear that sunscreen is the best tool that a person of colour can have in their skincare arsenal. With that, let’s look at some of my favourite black-friendly sunscreens that won’t only offer skin benefits, but also won’t leave you with a face that resembles a mime.
1. Bioderma Photoderm Spot-Age SPF50+
As mentioned, sun damage can cause hyperpigmentation and age spots, and this sunscreen from Bioderma has been specifically created to address those issues.
While I don’t have any age spots, I do deal with post-acne marks. Thankfully, Bioderma’s sunscreen not only features guaranteed high broad-spectrum protection, but it also contains vitamin C, which offers lightening action, antioxidant protection, and prevention of the appearance of new spots.
The sunscreen is also pretty anti-ageing, reducing photoaging and wrinkle depth, all while increasing skin firmness and skin elasticity.
So, if you’re looking for an anti-ageing sunscreen, grab it for R345 here.
2. Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Matte SPF45
I mean, with a name like that, I can’t not include it on the list.
This lightweight, vegan and cruelty-free melanin-friendly sunscreen features melanin-friendly ingredients like aloe, squalene, and shea butter—all of which help moisturise, soothe and heal your skin, whilst the product protects against sun damage, and offer a matte finish.
Get your black girl magic sunscreen here for R495.
3. Eucerin Sun SPF50+ Gel-Creme Oil Control Dry Touch
This is hands down one of my favourite sunscreens.
Aside from the fact that Eucerin is an amazing brand that offers effective products based on science, this particular sunscreen addresses my oily skin concerns.
Aside from mattifying my skin, Eucerin’s gel-crème sunscreen offers UVA/UVB protection (UVA causes skin ageing and UVB causes skin cancer) as well as HEVIS light defence—which causes sun spots and hyperpigmentation.
Thanks to its inclusion of Licochalcone A and Glycyrrhetinic Acid, this particular sunscreen offers anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits, simultaneously reducing inflammation and targeting anything that may accelerate the ageing process.
Grab this oily-skin-friendly sunscreen for R380 here.
4. EverySun SPF50 Sunscreen Lotion
A sunscreen that I’ve recently been introduced to is from the brand EverySun.
Not only is it much lighter on the pockets than other sunscreens on this list, but it also protects against sun damage, thanks in part to its specially formulated Vita Lock.
Vita Lock is an infusion of superfruits, antioxidants, vitamins, and advanced UVA and UVB filters with photostability, all of which help prevent premature ageing and promote skin elasticity and firmness for you and your whole family.
Enjoy an everyday dose of Everysun for R142 here.
5. Heliocare 360 Water Gel SPF 50
Another one of my personal favourites is this offering from Heliocare.
Suitable for those dealing with oily or dry skin, this sunscreen offers long-lasting hydration and broad-spectrum protection, thanks to an optimal and stable combination of UV Filters to protect against the four types of radiation UVB-UVA-VL-IRA.
The sunscreen also features Fernblock®+, a potent antioxidant that protects our skin cells and increases collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin, leaving us with sun-protected and supple skin.
Grab this hydrating sunscreen for R465 here.
6. La Roche Posay Anthelios Uvmune 400 Fluide Invisible Spf50+
The sunscreen’s name is a mouthful, but it will leave you speechless once you realize how great it is.
Perfect for those with sensitive skin, this particular sunscreen has MEXORYL400, considered an extremely efficient UV filter, offering protection against deep cell damage. There’s also XL-PROTECT; a patented filtering technology that provides broad-spectrum UVB/UVA protection. If that’s not enough, it also helps protect against damage caused by pollution and infrared.
Grab this wordy sunscreen for R335 here.
7. Nivea Sun Shin Control SPF50
As mentioned, oily skin is a battle that God believes I can overcome – so I’ve come across this shin-friendly sunscreen from Nivea.
Formulated with a naturally derived antioxidant, this particular sunscreen offers effective and immediate UVA/UVB protection and absorbs any excess oil, leaving you with hydrated, mattified and sun-protected skin.
Grab it for R209 here.
Have a sun-protected spring season!
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