Does Dark Skin Need Sunscreen? : Debunking the Myth
Growing up, I'd often travel to my parent's native home, Guyana. It's a small country located on the continent of South America just above the equator and southeast of the Caribbean Sea. As you may have guessed, it was hot! I also spent my childhood touring other neighboring Caribbean islands. Leading up to our departure my mother packed everything humanly possible. We stuffed non-perishable foods, hygiene products, and enough clothing to dress a multitude. However, what we never, ever, packed was sunscreen.
Like many people who grew up in Black or African American households, sunscreen was never purchased or even a topic of conversation. The collective, "we" were taught to believe that our skin did not need protection from the sun's harmful rays simply because our skin was durable enough. Sounds preposterous, right? Or perhaps you believe that I am exaggerating. I assure you, I am not.
As a darker-skinned Black woman, I have heard this question debated without fail. "Does dark skin need sunscreen?" For the longest time, I treated this issue as if it were a non-issue for me. Besides, I had never had any bad experiences with the sun so, I chose to leave well enough alone. I continued traveling for years until my 2013 trip to Freeport, Bahamas changed everything.
I returned to the U.S. 345 shades darker than when I'd departed but also with a scaly and peeling forehead. My face was a 3D configuration of Connect The Dots. It was one of the most painful and uncomfortable experiences I had ever had post traveling. To add insult to injury, I had no choice but to attend school every day and answer the seemingly never-ending questions about my skin.
For the first time, I was confronted with the fact that my skin was not "durable enough" to stave off the effects of a star that lights the entire globe. It was also the moment I realized that I'd have to do things differently moving forward. I began to do research and here is what I've learned.
The simple answer is yes, darker skin tones do need sun protection. The essence of this argument is simple, the Sun, while genius in its ability to assist with life on earth is extremely hazardous to the human skin barrier in the event of overexposure. Skin is skin.
While the melanin in darker skin tones does help to protect from skin diseases, it is not an overall barrier. In other words, it may be less common and likely for a person with darker skin to develop a disease such as skin cancer, but it is not impossible.
Darker skin can burn! I, unfortunately, learned this the hard way. Please take the easier path in life and learn from me. Lighter complexions are more likely to burn, while darker complexions are more likely to tan. However, dark skin can still burn. It is a painful and hideous process that trust me, you want to avoid at all cost. You have been warned.
Lack of sunscreen can cause and worsen hyperpigmentation. If you have darker skin you more than likely know the struggle of hyperpigmentation, the overproduction of melanin that causes darkening in the skin. If you're trying to eliminate or prevent hyperpigmentation you must wear sunscreen because the sun will only darken your already existing dark spots.
"If you can see the sun the sun can see you." I love this quote because it simplifies when and in what circumstance we should apply sunscreen. Basically, whenever you can see the sun you need sunscreen because if you can see the sun, it can affect you. Don't believe me? Open your blinds on a sunny day and stand by your window directly in the path of the sun, you will feel its warmth even indoors! That is how powerful the sun is.
Darker complexions are not the target audience of sunscreen.Throughout my childhood and most of my adulthood, I could not recall seeing an advertisement for a sunscreen company with a person who looked like me. Not even once. When I began to shop for sunscreen I immediately learned why that was.
You see, most sunscreens on the shelves may work to protect our skin but it also leaves our skin looking ashy or with the appearance of a white cast. I was extremely frustrated to return home from vacation and see that I looked like someone had dusted me with flour in all of my photos. I tried, Eucerin, Cerave, and a host of other popular skincare lines to no avail. Each and every time I would find myself feeling disappointed and cheated out of my money. It became evident to me that this specific aspect of skincare was not targeting my community. Whether or not that is due to the fact that my demographic of consumers notoriously do not buy this product, or because skincare lines are too lazy to do the work, I do not know. However, I know that our skin stills needs protection. So I got to work and fortunately, I found a few answers to this issue.
Here's a list of sunscreen that will provide you with adequate protection but also not leave you looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost:
BlackGirl Sunscreen: This is hands-down my favorite sunscreen. The name says it all. It was created with people of darker complexions in mind and has a variety of options which includes matte, or a more hydrating finish. I, personally have worn this under my makeup for a photoshoot and experienced no flashback or buildup. This item can be purchased here for $15.99.
SuperGoop!: Calling all makeup lovers! SuperGoop!'s sunscreen is a super popular but more pricey option. What I love about SuperGoop!'s sunscreen is that there are multiple packaging variations. One of which includes a spray that allows you to refresh your protective barrier even if you have on makeup. There is also a wide variety of options that vary for skin type and tone. This line ranges from $15-$58.
La Roche-Posay: Retailing for $19.99, this sunscreen is the one that I have the least knowledge of. I had heard excellent reviews and received a free sample from my local Walgreens. From my brief encounter, it is worth the hype if you have oily skin. It is a mattifying sunscreen that leaves no cast.
Paula’s Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50: This item is the newest addition to my arsenal, retailing at $17, this sunscreen has the most product per dollar. I have to say I am loving this super light way option.
Lets's not play into the myth that darker skin is less sensitive and therefore less in need of protection and preservation. As a dark-skinned woman who has battled with a skin disease for years, I would like to debunk the myth that our skin is somehow less fragile or susceptible to the effects of the world around us. Skin is skin. It is our largest human organ and our first line of defense. Let's all protect the beautiful skin we are in.
