Sunscreen, is it really that important?

Well, yeah it is! I have heard it all:

“I don’t need sunscreen, that’s why I am dark”

“The Lord blessed with my melanin and it protects me”,  or my favorite

“Isn’t sunscreen just for pale white people?”

No. Sunscreen is not just for white people, or people of fairer skin. It is for anyone who has skin and walks this planet earth and considers themselves a human being. The sun is a great source of Vitamin D, but it can also do great damage to our skin, including the possibility to kill us.

We have to understand that just because we are darker than others, doesn’t mean our skin doesn’t need the protection In contrast it means we really need it, because we won’t notice that dark spot on our shoulder or that new beauty mark that popped up a few weeks ago.

Sunscreen helps protect us against the UVA (aging) and the UVB (burning) that can deal a great blow to us. So I have a few favorites that I have used (and the ones I currently use). I normally go for a SPF of 50 whenever I can, or I make sure that all my day moisturizers have at least a SPF of 15 in them, along with my foundation if I can pull it off.

Here are some of my favourites:

I actually carry a small Banana Boat sunscreen on me at all times during the summer. Sometimes I run out the house without applying any, and I need to do so on the run

I have used the Neutrogena SPF and I do like it however it is just too white on my skin and is so thick to rub in. What I normally do is mix it with another moisturizer and apply it. It is amazing and you can get it for your face and body.

The Aveeno is another favorite of mine and I always have a few hanging around the house and in the cooler in my vehicles. You never know when you want to make an unscheduled trip to the beach!

Now these two products I buy around 3 or 4 at a time, and in pairs lol. I get this from Walmart. I find it works perfectly, I apply the lotion all over my body after I lotion with all my smell good stuff. It doesn't leave a film, for me it doesn't at least. The spray I use on my face and as a reapplication when I am outside longer than I originally planned.

I do find the Equate, Aveeno and Banana Boat to be women of color friendly. I haven't experienced any streaking, or white residue; even when I am in and out of water. They are my go to during the summer time, spring, an I use a smaller SPF 15 during the winter and fall seasons.

There is a new product I haven't tried called Global Sun, which is a sunscreen specifically created for people of colour. It claims to have no white streaks and blends into skin of colour evenly. Definitely happy this exists and can't wait to try it!

The sun is out year round, so you have to protect yourself whether you think you need it or not. Our black is beautiful and we want to keep it soft and supple, and sun damaged free.

Buckle up, its going to be a wild summer :)