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The 19 Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin That Are Practically Invisible
These expert-approved formulas won't leave behind a white cast.
You've heard it countess times before: Sunscreen is meant for every day wear. But the fact is, not all formulas are optimal for every skin tone—which is why keeping a short list of the best sunscreens for darker skin tones is key. Whether chemical or mineral, these beloved sunscreens seamlessly disappear once they're rubbed in, with little to no effort.
"When formulated incorrectly, opaque ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can cause a white cast," Michelle Henry, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Medical College, says. Rather than go without SPF entirely, Henry recommends looking for formulas that include micronized versions of their key ingredients, or incorporate the addition of masking pigments to avoid a ghostly cast.
Shop the Best Sunscreens for Darker Skin Tones
Of course, we also recommend keeping an eye out for the right level of broad-spectrum sun protection and when it's time to re-up. "I recommend SPF 30 for daily use and SPF 50 whenever you are outside for more than an hour. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours," says Henry.
To make it seamless for you to keep your skin protected from the elements, we've pulled together a few dermatologist- and editor-approved sunscreen picks from beloved Black-owned and tried-and-true brands, like Black Girl Sunscreen, EltaMD, and Fenty Skin, that are perfect for melanin-rich skin.
Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she's been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.
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