7 Best Invisible Sunscreens for Darker Skin Tones
Get loads of SPF protection without the chalky white residue
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For women with deeper tones, the quest to find a sunscreen without that infamous white cast can be a challenging one. But thanks to new formulations, protecting dark skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays can be done seamlessly. And, believe it or not, there are options to choose from.
If you don’t know by now, consistently wearing a sunscreen is your skin’s first line of defense against harsh sunlight, 365 days a year. “From an antiaging perspective, [it’s] going to be your biggest insurance policy to make sure that all of the other treatments that you’re doing are not going down the drain,” says Yolanda Lenzy, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Lenzy Dermatology & Hair Loss Center in Massachusetts.
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What’s more, excess UV damage can worsen hyperpigmentation and put you at greater risk of developing skin cancer. “Our melanin is amazing and it’s beautiful, but it’s not 100 percent protective,” says Michelle Henry, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan in New York City, who recommends broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF 30 for daily use, and SPF 50 if outside for longer than an hour.
Here are some melanin-friendly sunblocks worth trying.
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Anissa Gabbara writes about beauty, health, lifestyle and pop culture. Her work has appeared in Sisters From AARP, Sesi magazine and Maple City Our Town magazine.