Do Black People Need Sunscreen?

I’ll be honest—I wondered this myself. Never in a million years did I think it was such a widely asked question. But when I typed “do Black people need sunscreen?” into Google and saw the suggested search “do Black people get sunburned?”… whew, child. Turns out, this topic hit breakout status in 2021, racking up 138 million and 5.1 million search results, respectively. So clearly, I wasn’t the only one wondering.

Now, if you’re asking yourself how a Black person could even be confused about sunscreen in the first place, let me explain.

My dad was this beautifully deep-toned man. My mom, Puerto Rican—but very much white-passing. So needless to say, I grew up in a house with two very different opinions on skincare. I leaned more toward my dad’s complexion and, for years, figured I didn’t need sunscreen because he didn’t use it. And while I wouldn’t say my dad was wrong per se… I was definitely wrong.

It wasn’t until I got serious about skincare that I realized: sunscreen isn’t optional—it’s essential. And not just for sunburn prevention. Let’s get into it.

So… What Does Sunscreen Actually Do?

Sunscreen protects your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays—which come in two main types:

• UVA rays: These age your skin. (Think: wrinkles, sagging, discoloration.)

• UVB rays: These burn your skin. (Think: ouch.)

Sunscreen works in two main ways:

• Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and convert them into heat before they can damage your skin.

• Mineral (physical) sunscreens sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays away like tiny mirrors.

Either way, you’re getting protection from sunburn, hyperpigmentation, premature aging, and even skin cancer—yes, melanoma can affect melanin-rich skin too.

“But I Don’t Like Chemicals on My Skin…”

I hear you. If you’re ingredient-conscious (or just picky, no shame), there are some natural options—but with a catch.

☀️ Plant-Based Oils

A few plant oils offer mild SPF protection:

• Raspberry seed oil: SPF up to 30–50 in some studies, but results are inconsistent.

• Carrot seed oil: SPF claims vary (often up to 40), but it's not FDA-approved as a sunblock.

• Wheat germ oil: SPF around 20—but again, results vary.

These can supplement sun protection, but should not replace traditional sunscreens—especially if you’re spending real time outdoors.

🌿 Other Natural Ingredients

• Aloe Vera: Soothes and hydrates, may offer very mild UV protection.

• Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich, helps fight free radical damage.

• Sesame Oil: Blocks about 30% of UV rays.

• Shea Butter: Offers slight sun protection and moisturizes like a dream.

Great for after-sun care or layering under your regular sunscreen—but don’t expect SPF 50 results.

Final Answer? YES. We Need It.

I won't say it's a life-or-death need for everyone, but if you’re serious about skincare—especially tackling hyperpigmentation, dark marks, or acne scars—sunscreen is your bestie. You’ll see better results, faster healing, and fewer setbacks.

Personally? I’m now team wear it daily—even if I’m just going to the mailbox.

Let’s Chat:

Do you use sunscreen?What’s your go-to brand? Mineral or chemical? Tinted or invisible?And if you’ve never used it consistently, try it out for a month—especially if you’re working on your skin—and let us know how it goes!