Brown Girl Friendly Sunscreen | No White Cast: Get Sun Protection Without the Chalky Residue

Hey, sis, you need to wear sunscreen! I know, I know, we think that we have melanin and we don’t need to wear sunscreen, but that’s not true. Sunscreen is an essential part of any skincare routine, but it can be frustrating to deal with a white cast—that chalky residue that some sunscreens leave behind on your skin.

This is especially true for people like us with darker skin tones, as the white cast can leave us looking very ashy.

Fortunately, there are now a number of sunscreens on the market that are formulated to be non-comedogenic and leave no white cast. These sunscreens typically use physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are less likely to leave a white cast than chemical blockers like oxybenzone and avobenzone. I’ve spent some time over the last few years exploring which ones actually do what they claim and I want to share them with you.

When choosing a sunscreen with no white cast, it's important to look for a product that is:

• Non-comedogenic: This means that the sunscreen won't clog your pores.

• Broad-spectrum: This means that the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

• SPF 30 or higher: This is the minimum SPF that dermatologists recommend for everyday use.

Here are a few of my top picks for sunscreens they will leave no white cast:

• Belif True Cream Aqua Bomb SPF 45

• iT Cosmetics Hello Sunshine Sunscreen SPF 50

• Paula’s Choice Resist Moisturizer + SPF 50

• Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30

• Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

• Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 / PA+++

• Coola Sunscreen Mist SPF 50

*Bonus Body Sunscreen 

• Cay Skin Body Oil SPF 30

• Supergoop PLAY SPF 50

• Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Spray SPF 100

• Hydro Boost Moisturizing Gel Sunscreen Lotion for Face and Body, SPF 50

If you're looking for a sunscreen that provides effective sun protection without leaving a white cast, one of these products is sure to fit the bill. When I’m wearing makeup I tend to go for an SPF only, and the days that I want to go makeup free; I opt for a moisturizer + SPF combo.

If you try any of these or have others, let me know. I’d love to know what your favorite sunscreen is.