Our 2026 Sunscreen Guide – Expert Picks for Melanin-Rich Skin

If you’re over 35, you may remember a time when sun exposure was an encouraged and celebrated part of summer. Back in those days, sunscreen was just a suggestion for many with melanated skin, not considered an essential for a day in the sun. Now, we know that our melanin can offer some natural protection from UV rays; however, we are not magically immune to the effects of sun damage. Our beautiful range of brown skin tones needs and deserves protection from head to toe.

There Are So Many Reasons to Wear Sunscreen

Sunscreen offers proactive protection for your body’s largest organ, helping keep you safer from serious risks like skin cancer and sunburn. And just in terms of appearance alone, regular use of sun protection can make a visible difference in your skin. Consistent use of sunscreen can help prevent acne-related post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and protect against burning, especially when your nighttime routine involves retinols and you may be more sensitive to sun exposure.

“Anything below SPF 30 does not count in terms of photo protection and sun protection. Therefore, if you do not wear sun protection consistently, you will have more fine wrinkles, deep wrinkles, bigger pores, poor texture, and significant hyperpigmentation, as well as a risk of skin cancer. So, if you want your skin to look younger for longer without skin cancer, you must put sunblock on every day and reapply it,” says Dr. Jeanine B. Downie, MD, FAAD, Director of Image Dermatology PC.  

Don’t Worry About Vitamin D

Some of the sunscreen-averse mention a concern about the ingredients in sunscreen or about preventing Vitamin D from the sun’s rays. Dr. Michelle Henry, MD, FAAD, Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, Founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan, and CEO of The Henry Research Group Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan assures us that isn’t a concern anymore: “We are not getting meaningful reduction in our vitamin D because of sunscreen. We are not applying it perfectly, and sunscreen is also not perfect. You’re still getting some UV through the sunscreen, and we need very few minutes a day for adequate vitamin D. During times like the winter when we’re still not getting adequate sunlight, I always recommend that everyone take an oral supplement to make sure that they are getting adequate vitamin D. So that is not a reason not to use sunscreen. It’s all about just finding the sunscreen that works for you, within an ingredient profile that makes you feel safe.”

For those of us looking for additional ways to get the Vitamin D our bodies need, Dr. Downie suggests dietary alternatives. “For those to say we need vitamin D, yes, we do. You can take a supplement or eat oily fish like salmon and a balanced diet to get your vitamin D.”

Down With Disinformation – We Get Skin Cancer Too

Online disinformation about Black skin not needing sunscreen is rampant and needs to be dispelled. “Quite frankly, this is incorrect ideology to think that darker-skinned people don’t need sunscreen. Anyone with skin needs sun protection…it is completely incorrect that melanin protects you 100% from the sun. The average dark-skinned West African person— their actual skin has an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of anywhere from SPF 7 to SPF 13. That is all that their skin protects them,” says Dr. Downie. A little bit of natural sun protection won’t prevent issues like hyperpigmentation, premature aging, or skin cancer. When skin cancer appears in Black people, it’s often diagnosed later, when outcomes can be worse.

“Yes, we see lower rates of skin cancer in skin of color. Yes, some of the cancers we see in skin of color are more driven by genetic changes and less by UV damage, but UV still plays a role. I have dark-skinned patients who come in with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and we know that large populations in the African American community also have conditions like lupus and other autoimmune conditions, which may make them reliant on immunosuppressive medications, which can increase one’s risk for skin cancer,” says Dr. Henry.

New Sunscreens Are Better for Our Needs

Back in the day, a typical sunscreen was thick and left visible evidence of application. Thankfully, the new sunscreens aren’t going to leave that old gray cast. We’ve got recommendations for every kind of sunscreen you may need, from face to body, and for your family too, all designed to protect deeper skin tones without leaving us looking ashy. What should you look for when you go sunscreen shopping? The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends daily application of SPF 30 or higher, even on cloudy days. “Consumers should look for a sunblock that is oil-free, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and clinically tested,” advises Dr. Downie.

So, What Kind of Sunscreen Do I Need?

There’s a sunscreen on the market for every need you may have. Look for a baseline SPF 30 and consider your needs. Dr. Downie offers some specific recommendations to look for. “For the face, I like the ZO Daily Sheer SPF 50, Skin Medica Total Defense and Repair SPF 34 —these both block UVA, UVB, HEV that’s High Energy Visible Light, which is all the blue light from your phone and your computer and your iPad, and visible light in your office and at home, and infrared (IR), which is heat.”

If you’re looking for an everyday sunscreen for your face, remember to choose a moisturizer with SPF. Some of the latest formulations of K-beauty sunscreens are totally sheer upon application. Check out COSRX Vitamin E Sunscreen for Oily Skin SPF 50, which is formulated to be oil-free and non-whitecast and can work well as a primer under makeup.

If you’re looking for a sublime sunscreen to take on vacation, consider brands from Black founders like Black Girl Sunscreen, which offers cream, stick, and spray formulations for men, women, and kids with deep skin tones. For mature sunscreen needs, check out IKNOW Skincare, a Black woman-owned brand dedicated to melanin-first science and skin longevity. Their Very Necessary SPF 40 moisturizing cream offers what they call a “Zero Ash Promise.”

When it comes to choosing a great body sunscreen for your summer vacation, Dr. Downie has a few brand recommendations. “For body sunblock products, I like La Roche-Posay and Neutrogena.” And for the whole family, it’s best to consider application methods. Kids don’t always enjoy being slathered in cream, but a sunscreen spray or stick can be a solution for sun-exposure days. “For kids, I like Aveeno Baby or Blue Lizard. Yes, I do like sunblock sprays, but you have to be careful not to skip areas,” adds Dr. Downie.

When it comes to overall sun protection, Dr. Henry offers some helpful tips to consider more than just a topical cream, stick or spray. “You know, there are much more positive than negatives to using sunscreen. We don’t want you to hide from the sun forever. We want you to learn how to live with the sun in a safe way. Using sunscreen and some protective clothing, especially when the sun is at its peak, is a way to keep you safe, keep you beautiful, and protect your skin,” says Dr. Henry.

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