My Favorite SPF For Dark Skin Is $10, And Doesn’t Leave Behind White Cast. (2025)

Although I've been covering the beauty industry since 2016, I was pretty lax about wearing sunscreen outside of summer. Or, to put it more bluntly, it was practically non-existent. Growing up in Florida, I applied SPF exclusively during summer camp, beach days, and trips to theme parks because Seventeen magazine told me to do it. But for the rest of the year, I got by wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap for sun protection. I also minimized my outdoor time from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun's rays were at their peak. Not to mention, I love how my rich caramel complexion looks with a warm, sunkissed tan. And since I rarely ever burn, I just didn't care enough to wear, much less reapply chalky SPF.

To make matters worse, my parents were not exactly big sunscreen people. They're from Jamaica, a place where you'd expect sunscreen to be the norm, but it was far from it in my family. TBH, sunscreen wasn't really on our collective radar until my mom noticed irregularly shaped brown spots on her body and got them evaluated by her dermatologist. But that health scare made me realize that all humans, including those with darker skin tones, should wear sunscreen. "Everyone does need sun protection unless they are no longer breathing," says dermatologist Dr. Jeanine Downie, MD. She says that people of every race, ethnicity, and skin tone need to wear sunscreen daily, whether the sun is shining or raining, to prevent burns, skin cancer, and signs of aging like lines and wrinkles.

Fast forward several years, and I've finally learned to look forward to wearing SPF. It took me over half a decade to find the best sunscreens for darker skin tones like mine, but they've become beauty MVPs in my routine. And none of them leave behind an embarrassing, ashy-looking cast. I'll share my must-haves later on, along with guidance from trusted dermatologists. The pros get honest about why sunscreen for dark skin is essential and debunk common myths and misconceptions about sunscreen, like the best SPF level for our melanin-rich complexions. We also dive into the differences between mineral and chemical sunscreens, so you can find options most compatible with your skin type, complexion, and beauty needs.

This under-$10 find hits all the right marks I look for in sunscreen. The white lotion uses chemicals, such as avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene, to ensure it blends completely clear. It also offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 to prevent aging and burns on my face and body. Since I can use it on my face and body, it streamlines the number of products in my routine and saves me space in my medicine cabinet or suitcase when I travel. And instead of buying separate sunscreens, I can put my funds toward other beauty products, like red light therapy masks and electric razors. The lightly tinted lotion uses chemicals to ensure it blends completely clear. It's also gentle on my eczema-prone skin.

Do people with darker skin need sunscreen?

The simple answer? Yes, people with darker skin need sunscreen. Here's why: "Having more melanin isn't your skin's get out of sunscreen free card—it's a dangerous misconception that puts darker skin at risk," says dermatologist Dr. Pooja Rambahi, MD. "Yes, melanin [our natural pigment that determines skin tone] offers some natural protection, but it's not enough to shield against the full spectrum of UV damage. People with deeper skin tones remain vulnerable to premature aging, stubborn hyperpigmentation, melasma, and skin cancer—which is often caught at more advanced stages in darker skin."

Should you put sunscreen on when it's cloudy or raining? What about in the fall and winter?

It's still cloudy and chilly here in New York, and if you're dealing with overcast weather, you might consider it a valid excuse not to wear sunscreen. However, that's a rookie mistake because ultraviolet (UV) light can penetrate through clouds. A 2010 National Library of Medicine study found that clouds can only obstruct up to 50% of UV rays. That means going SPF-free puts us at risk. Plus, clouds only help block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays that cause burns and skin cancer. Of course, we want to avoid those two skin concerns, but ultraviolet A (UVA) rays are harmful, too. UVA rays cause signs of aging, including lines and wrinkles. Research also found that avoiding the sun's ultraviolet rays can help prevent rosacea flare-ups, which is always a win for those with that skin condition.

Is mineral or chemical sunscreen better for darker skin tones?

Sunscreen active ingredients can be put into two buckets: chemical and mineral, which is sometimes called physical sunscreen. And good news: they are both effective on our melanin-rich complexions, says dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD. Mineral and chemical sunscreens use different active ingredients and work in dissimilar ways.

Chemical Sunscreens

• Active ingredients are avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene.
• How do they work?: "Chemical filters absorb the sun's rays, deflecting their damage by turning them into heat," dermatologist Dr. Divya Shokeen, MD, previously told us in our guide to physical sunscreens.
• Pros: They blend out easily, thus eliminating white cast on Brown and Black skin, says Dr. Rambahi.
• Cons: Chemical sunscreens might irritate sensitive skin. They also require a 15-20 minute waiting period to be effective before sun exposure.

Best Chemical Sunscreens For Darker Skin Tones

Mineral Sunscreens

• Active ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Iron oxides, commonly found in tinted sunscreens, are also helpful for those with deeper complexions.
• How do they work?: Mineral sunscreens create a physical barrier that reflects and scatters UV rays away from the skin’s surface, Dr. Shokeen told WH.
• Pros: They provide instant broad-spectrum protection, so we can skip the waiting period associated with chemical sunscreens. They blend out easily, thus eliminating white cast on Brown and Black skin, says Dr. Rambahi. They come in tinted and united formulations for light cosmetic coverage.
• Cons: Mineral sunscreens are more likely to leave behind a cast.

Best Mineral Sunscreens For Dark Skin Tones

Other standout ingredients dermatologists recommend.

Look out for sunscreens infused with antioxidants like niacinamide and vitamins C and E, which complement sun protection by neutralizing free radicals and offering additional benefits for hyperpigmentation concerns, says Dr. Rambhia.

Tinted versus untinted sunscreens.

If you have melasma or hyperpigmentation, tinted sunscreens are your best bet. They blend well with darker skin tones and they contain iron oxides, which may help block visible light in addition to UV rays, says dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon Dr. Neera Nathan, MD.

Her favorite cheap tinted sunscreen that blends well on most skin types is the Eucerin Tinted Age Defense SPF 50. For a non-tinted mineral option for the face, she reaches for the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Liquid SPF 70. The drugstore staple boasts a lightweight feel and blends in impressively to virtually all skin tones.

Is SPF 30 or 50 better for dark skin?

The doctors I consulted agree that broad-spectrum SPF 30 is adequate for darker skin tones, and the minimal difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 isn't significant enough to feel guilty about using one over the other. In fact, the sun protection factor (SPF) levels off after 45. "You don't get more bank for the buck, and the percentage of extra protection is minimal. Therefore, it just does not make much of a difference after a SPF of 30," says Dr. Downey. For context, SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks 97%. While the extra one percent difference is nice to have, it's not a deal breaker, says Dr. Rambhia.

One thing to keep in mind though is how much sunscreen you're actually wearing. We need about a shot glass worth of sunscreen for head to toe coverage. Since some of us are under applying the right amount of sunscreen, Dr. Nathan says we'll benefit from using sunscreen with a higher SPF level.

TLDR

"Think of daily SPF not as an optional beauty step, but as essential healthcare that your future self will thank you for—regardless of your skin tone," says Dr. Rambhia. The best sunscreen for dark skin tones is one that you'll actually use and reapply at least every two hours and after sweating and swimming. Ideally, it's a tinted formula containing iron oxides to help prevent hyperpigmentation, but plenty of non-tinted options don't leave behind a white cast. Also, applying the correct amount of SPF—two fingers length is the standard— to your face will help. You'll need about a shot glass worth of sunscreen for the rest of your body.

Meet The Experts

• Dr. Jeanine Downie, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at image Dermatology P.C. in Montclair, New Jersey.
• Pooja H. Rambhia, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist who practices at UnionDerm in New York.
• Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at MDCS in New York.
• Dr. Neera Nathan, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at Dermatology And Skin Health in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
• Dr. Divya Shokeen, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at OSVI Dermatology in Manhattan Beach, California.

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