Learn how to choose the best sunscreen for you with these tips and product recommendations from a beauty and wellness professional.
I can’t do my skincare routine without it. That used to not be the case.
Even as a beauty professional I sometimes said “It’s okay I have sunscreen in my foundation; plus I’m melanated I have natural sunscreen built-in”
While, ok yes, but the sun is no joke! For an extra layer of protection, we need sunscreen, Yes, if you are melanated you have a natural layer of SPF around 15 that can absorb the sun.
What does SPF stand for!
SPF stands for: sun protection factor.
However, daily sunscreen use can help protect you against skin cancer and premature skin aging even more! So, yes you look young now but imagine if you were sunscreen.
If you are anything like me and know better, but also want to do better here are some of the things that I swear by when picking a sunscreen as an esthetician.
Beauty Professions Top Sunscreen Tips
- Oily skin types should go for a more mattifying, gel or a more liquid type of sunscreen.
- Dry skin would benefit from a creamy texture of sunscreen (must sunscreens are creamy)
- Always choose a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15!
- Always choose a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 if you have active ingredients in your skincare (ex: AHA, BHA, any acids, etc.).
- Choose a Broadspectrum SPF that has UVA & UVB protection.
- Estianan-approved sunscreens are my favorite! They are tried and true with a hint of sunkissed skin. I love “esti approved” because they want you to be protected but also cute and glowy. No white cast here.
- And it is better to opt to wear actual sunscreen instead of just foundation with SPF in it.
Sunscreens I have tried and recommend!
This is my favorite sunscreen. When I was a full-time esthetician this was my go-to for all my clients. It works on fair skin but also works amazingly on melanated skin as well.
If you’re trying to really add sunscreen to your routine, I would highly recommend starting with this one! It’s not the most glamorous or most popular sunscreen out there but it works. It leaves your skin looking glassy and not ghosty. Easily melts into the skin for a simple application process, with no wait time for the white case to disappear, and is super light-weight and non-sticky.
EltaMD UV Clear would be my 2nd choice only because it’s pricy. Otherwise, this sunscreen works awesome for darker skin tones, it’s oil-free and does not leave the dreaded white cast.
It also helps protect against breakouts and is an essential acne sunscreen for those with acne-prone skin care concerns, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. It is great for travel and for sensitive skin.
This facial sunscreen can easily be worn alone or under makeup and is an ideal face sunscreen for oily skin
My 3rd recommended SPF would be Black Girl Sunscreen. It’s my third choice only because it has shea butter in it which might not work for some darker-skinned women with acne-prone skin as heavy ingredients like this might clog the pores. But you really never know until you give it a try!
I love this sunscreen because it has other amazing ingredients that really aid in moisturizing and protecting your skin. So, don’t let the shea butter scare you, your skin might actually love it.
I also love it because of the price. Only $10 at Ulta online and it’s black-owned.
The next option is Paula’s Choice Fluid SPF. Let’s just get the dis-like out of the way. So I liked this SPF because it said fluid SPF. In the skin care world that means liquid which is a great option for people with oily skin.
But when trying it, it did take about 10 to 15 minutes for the white cast to fade. But it did fade! And it looked great after and had a matte finish as the day went on.
The ingredients, disappearing white cast, and the price are why this SPF made the list. It hydrates, improves dull skin, targets wrinkles and fine lines, and controls oil.
Purchase on Paula’s Choice website for a better deal. Only 12 bucks!
Image Skincare SPF 30 is my 5th choice. Regarding my clients; some it doesn’t leave a white cast, but that is not the case for me. It made it to the list because of the amazing skin benefits other than SPF and it does go on clear for some melenated people.
I also just love the scent. It smells really fresh/lemony.
This product I personally used this on clients but mostly on fair complicated clients. It is a great product just that one issue for me. They do offer a primer that has a brown tint to it. I will definitely be trying and updating you soon.
My last pick is Fenty Skin SPF 30. It has some really great ingredients that protect against UVA and UVB rays.
This product is new to the market, but of course, it still made the cut because it works beautifully on melanated skin. It helps brighten and reduce large pores, so this was for sure speaking my language. From the reviews, it does have a brighting effort so differently can’t wait to try it. Of course, it is also black-owned.
Xxoo Lulla
This post was all about how to pick the best sunscreen for melanated skin.
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