AARP Hearing Center
![A close up of a woman applying sunscreen on her legs A close up of a woman applying sunscreen on her legs](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/style-trends/info-2022/best-sunscreen-dark-skin-tones/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/container_image/articlecontentfragment/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/beauty-and-style/2022/03/1140-woman-applying-sunscreen-beach.jpg)
For women with deeper tones, the quest to find a sunscreen without that infamous white cast can be a challenging one. But thanks to new formulations, protecting dark skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays can be done seamlessly. And, believe it or not, there are options to choose from.
![member card Image Alt Attribute](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/experience-fragments/uxdia-folder-structure/en/features/membership/inline-membership-promo/default/master5/_jcr_content/root/responsivegrid/container_copy/container/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.png/content/dam/uxdia/membership-card-d-and-t.png)
LIMITED TIME OFFER: Labor Day Sale!
Join AARP for just $9 per year with a 5-year membership and get a FREE Gift!
If you don’t know by now, consistently wearing a sunscreen is your skin’s first line of defense against harsh sunlight, 365 days a year. “From an antiaging perspective, [it’s] going to be your biggest insurance policy to make sure that all of the other treatments that you’re doing are not going down the drain,” says Yolanda Lenzy, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Lenzy Dermatology & Hair Loss Center in Massachusetts.
What’s more, excess UV damage can worsen hyperpigmentation and put you at greater risk of developing skin cancer. “Our melanin is amazing and it’s beautiful, but it’s not 100 percent protective,” says Michelle Henry, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan in New York City, who recommends broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF 30 for daily use, and SPF 50 if outside for longer than an hour.
Here are some melanin-friendly sunblocks worth trying.
![A bottle of Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 A bottle of Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/style-trends/info-2022/best-sunscreen-dark-skin-tones/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par5/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/beauty-and-style/2022/03/1140-black-girl-sunscreen.jpg)
1. Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 ($15.99, Target.com)
This Black-owned brand sunscreen was created with melanin in mind. Its chemical formula, which uses active filters that absorb UV rays before they penetrate your skin, is non toxic. Great for your face and body, this moisturizing sunscreen also boasts a blend of natural ingredients, such as avocado to hydrate and sunflower oil to calm inflammation.
![A bottle of ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless sunscreen A bottle of ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless sunscreen](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/style-trends/info-2022/best-sunscreen-dark-skin-tones/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par7/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/beauty-and-style/2022/03/1140-isdin-eryfotona-ageless-2.jpg)
2. ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless ($70, Isdin.com)
Designed to target photoaging, this 100 percent mineral formula with SPF 50 contains zinc oxide to block UV rays. Lenzy says this sunscreen is her favorite, specifically for its emulsifying effect. “Emulsions are nice because [they’re lightweight], and this particular product [is] tinted, so it blends [well],” she explains. It also consists of photolyase enzymes to repair sun damage, and peptides to stimulate collagen production.
Good to know: Mineral sunscreens often use physical blockers (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) to deflect UV rays and often leave a white cast. But, according to Henry, these ingredients are micronized (i.e., reduced to fine particles) in modern formulas, making them less visible on darker skin.
More on Entertainment
5 Best Foundations for Black Women 50+
Expanded color palettes and new formulations worth exploring7 Tips for Transitioning From Relaxed to Natural Hair
Celebrity hairstylists offer professional advice5 Best Dry Shampoos for African American Hair
Pro tips for reviving your styleRecommended for You