• Celebrity
    • OTE – Screen Kings
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • OTE – Screen Kings
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • The State Of R&B
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Beauty

Melanin-Approved: The Best Face Sunscreens For Dark Skin

From broad-spectrum protection to non-ashy finishes, we've got you covered.
Melanin-Approved: The Best Face Sunscreens For Dark Skin
By Jennifer Ford · Updated April 5, 2023

It’s a common myth that melanin-rich skin doesn’t need sunscreen, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sunscreen is essential for all skin types, regardless of color. Not only can it prevent sunburn and skin cancer, but it can also help prevent premature aging and hyperpigmentation. But let’s face it, finding formulas that won’t make brown skin look ashy can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best face sunscreens for dark skin tones ahead.

Our top picks provide broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays and have a lightweight, non-greasy texture. What’s more, the options on our list have a flattering non-ashy finish, so you can reapply as often as needed (every two hours is ideal).

Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30

Whether you’re on the beach or just running errands, Black Girl Sunscreen has got you covered (literally). No ashy residue, no funky smell, just pure protection and hydration. And with jojoba and avocado on the ingredient list, you can rest assured that your skin will stay moisturized all day long.

Available at Target
16 Shop Now
Mele Dew The Most Sheer Moisturizer SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen

This sheer and translucent formula provides hydrating sun protection that doesn’t leave any white cast or residue behind. Plus, its compact size allows you to take it with you wherever you go, from music festivals to picnics in the park.

Available at Target
10 Shop Now
Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

Think of this sunscreen as a magical cloak for your skin. It’s a revolutionary SPF formula that provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, while also acting as a makeup-gripping primer.

Available at Sephora
38 Shop Now
Bolden SPF 30 Brightening MoisturizerBolden

This moisturizer doubles as a sunscreen, and it’s packed with vitamin C to brighten and protect your skin against hyperpigmentation. You can pretty much have your cake and eat it, too (or in this case, have your moisturizer and sunscreen in one).

Available at Walmart
21 Shop Now
Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Refillable Invisible Face Moisturizer SPF 30 with Niacinamide

With ingredients like kalahari melon and baobab, this nourishing sunscreen is like a smoothie for your skin. Not only is it packed with antioxidants to protect against sun damage, but it’s also refillable and formulated with clean, good-for-you ingredients.

Available at Sephora
39 Shop Now
Kinlo Skincare Golden Rays SPF 50+ Melanated Tint

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has you covered—literally—with her mineral sunscreen that’s both water-resistant and sweat-proof. It also has oil-control properties to ensure your face stays looking fresh and shine-free all day long. What’s more, this sunscreen comes in three different shades that perfectly complement brown skin.

Available at Kinlo
20 Shop Now
Absolute Joi Daily Hydrating Moisturizing Cream SPF 40

Absolute Joi’s mineral sunscreen not only shields your skin from harmful UV rays, but it’s also packed with squalene and hyaluronic acid to keep your face hydrated for hours.

Available at Thirteen Lune
42 Shop Now

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on the links we provide, we may receive compensation.
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now