All products in this article are independently selected by AMAKA or by the interviewee for AMAKA. However, when you purchase a product through our retail links, we may earn a small affiliate commission.
Melanin may be magical, but it is not sun-resistant! And while all sunscreens promise to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, they are not all optimal for everyone. Some formulations leave a white residue on Black skin and do not provide the nourishment needed.
More sunblocks for Black people are cropping up in the market and are formulated with the right ingredients. We can’t emphasise enough how important it is to include sunscreen in your skincare routine for both winter and summer. Here is a round up of the best sunscreens for dark skin from the AMAKA Marketplace.
1. Malin + Goetz SPF 30 Water-Resistant Mineral Sunscreen
Clean, mineral sunscreen that absorbs quickly onto the skin, defending it against harmful rays and environmental aggressors. It has a gel cream formula that does not form a heavy or greasy layer on your skin. Why do you need it? It contains ingredients such as vitamin E and niacinamide that help brighten and hydrate, you can easily use it as a moisturiser in summer. It's a win!
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2. Supergoop! Play Açai Lip Balm SPF 30
Protect your pout with this nourishing lip balm sunscreen. Yes, you need sunscreen on your lips. Protecting lips from the sun is as important as protecting every other part of your body. The skin on the lips is thinner and more delicate which makes lip burn very painful.
This broad-spectrum SPF30 is blended with nourishing beeswax and shea butter to protect your lips from the environment. You are probably using a lip balm already, so why not make it one with SPF? And this one gives a slight sheen, less of a balm and more like a gloss.
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3. Hourglass Equilibrium Day Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
This lightweight SPF emulsion offers superior skin-balancing protection and hydration. The broad spectrum SPF 30 formula uses organic filters which shield the skin from the sun and rarely leave a white cast. Its luxurious lightweight texture melts into the skin, gently hydrating and promoting the cell renewal process for brighter, smoother skin.
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4. Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Matte Sunscreen SPF 45
The name says it all; this is a sunscreen for Black girls. If you have oily skin, this broad-spectrum sunscreen is the perfect one for you. It's also packed with natural ingredients such as shea butter and coconut oil to care for your skin. Added benefits from this fragrance-free sunscreen for Black skin include preventing hyperpigmentation, dark spots and premature ageing.
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5. Coola Classic Sunscreen Stick Tropical Coconut SPF 30
Clean,gluten-free and vegan! Supercharged with antioxidant-rich plant protection, this perfectly portable, organic sunscreen stick will give you water-resistant UVA/UVB protection whenever you need it. It has a non-greasy texture designed for long active days in the sun but light enough to use everyday. We love the fact that it's compact enough to throw in your handbag – just twist, apply and go.
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6. Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturiser Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen with Niacinamide + Kalahari Melon
We can all agree that we are onboard with anything Riri puts out. After all,Fenty was designed with the melanin skin in mind. This gem is a good sunscreen for Black women, and if you struggle with hyperpigmentation, then you are in good hands. This Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor contains niacinamide which helps with pigmentation, hyaluronic acid which provides hydrating properties and aloe for soothing the skin.
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7. CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen Face Sheer Tint SPF 30
This tinted sunscreen is for those days when you feel like a luminous, sun-kissed glow. Don't let the tint scare you, this hydrating sunscreen has a universal tint that blends seamlessly. Thanks to the ceramide properties in this good sunscreen for Black skin, you don't have to worry about the greasy feel on your skin. It's also formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to attract moisture and calm the skin. It's a soothing option for those with sensitive skin.
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