A dark complexion gives you natural protection from the sun, but protecting your skin is the wisest choice.
© Submitted by Consumer ReportsRegardless of your skin tone, it's still important to use sunscreen for sun protection.
Written by Sally Wadika
Updated by Daphne Yao
For those who think their skin tone means they shouldn't worry about sunscreen, dermatologists have the message that the sun's harmful rays don't discriminate. "Ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes color blindness and therefore affects all skin types equally," says Maritza Perez, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine in New York City.
"Darker skin has more melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color) than lighter skin, and that keeps the rays from getting in and doing the most damage," says Perez. "But even dark skin only offers an SPF of 13. If you get enough sun exposure, you'll have skin damage and possibly even skin cancer."
And for those who identify as Black, Asian, or Hispanic but have lighter skin on the spectrum, the risk may be about the same as many white people.
Sunburn damages the skin
A history of sunburn is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer, and people of all races are at risk of sunburn. A 2021 review shows that black people still experience the sun's effects on their skin, such as: B. Burns and eruptions. Redness, a telltale sign of sunburn in white people, may not be as noticeable on darker skin tones, but skin can still be warm, tight, and tender.
And even if you don't get sunburned, being unprotected in the sun can cause damage. "Any tan on white or tan skin is a sign of sun-damaged skin," says Dr. Mona Gohara, clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.
UV rays, which cause tanning or a burning sensation, can make your skin look older. "Photodamage in people of color leads to sagging skin, loss of facial volume, and hyperpigmentation," says Janine Downey, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in Montclair, NJ, while people with fairer skin types experience fine lines and wrinkles. First, people of color will see pigment changes resulting from sun damage causing dark spots [melasma] and uneven skin tone.
risk of skin cancer
Asians, Blacks, and Hispanics have a significantly lower incidence of skin cancer than Whites. But they are not immune. In a study published in the journal Cancer Causes and Control, Asian men who were more exposed to sunlight as children were more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer that isn't usually cancerous but can be disfiguring). . three times more than those who expose themselves to the slightest amount of sunlight. Among the Asian women in the study, those who had the most sun exposure in their lifetime had a 4.5 times greater risk. According to the American Cancer Society, the rate of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, is still 1 in 167 among Hispanics and 1 in 1,000 among non-Hispanic blacks.
Skin cancer is often diagnosed at a later stage in people of color. This is partly due to a lack of risk awareness and the fact that skin cancer can look very different and can be found on different parts of the body (e.g. palms and soles). "Even doctors often ignore skin cancer when treating people of color," says Downey. The result is that skin cancer in non-whites can be more difficult to treat and melanoma can be more deadly.
"I think the most important conversation about skin cancer is contrast," says Gina Lister, director of the Skin of Color Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco. ?"
Find the right sunscreen for your skin
In a 2022 survey of more than 1,000 adults by the American Academy of Dermatology, two-thirds of respondents said they often forget to reapply sunscreen.
Those with darker skin — and little protection from excess melanin — might be tempted to skip it. But even if you're not sunburned and you're not worried about skin cancer, sun protection is key to maintaining healthy skin. "The main benefit of using sunscreen in patients with tan skin is that it helps reduce skin discoloration and premature wrinkling," says Crystal Aguh, director of the Ethnic Skin Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. "Skin discoloration is one of the most common complaints in black patients, and regular sunscreen use is an essential part of the treatment plan." The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day.
It's also important to take other sun protection measures, such as wearing clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, seeking shade, and avoiding the sun between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm when it is at its highest. It doesn't matter what skin tone you have, but for those with darker skin, new evidence suggests that visible sunlight — unfiltered by sunscreen — plays an important role in changing skin pigmentation. Sunscreen 2022. Published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
One of the pitfalls of using sunscreen is finding the right cream for your skin. "One of the biggest concerns I hear from my black patients is the aesthetic appearance of sunscreen after application," says Lister. "A lot of products lighten their skin."
For this reason, Lister recommends trying less expensive drug brands so you can try a few options.
When testing CR's sunscreens, our Pro Sensor testing panel found that the following high protection sunscreens in our ranking (in alphabetical order) left a small film on the skin and didn't leave it looking greasy.
Black Girl Make It Glow Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
© Submitted by Consumer ReportsEquate (Walmart) Ultra Lotion SPF 50
© Submitted by Consumer ReportsNeutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
© Submitted by Consumer ReportsTrader Joe's SPF 50+ spray
© Submitted by Consumer ReportsSome recent studies have questioned the safety of some active chemical ingredients in sunscreens, particularly oxybenzone. This UV filter can be absorbed through the skin, and there is evidence - all from animal studies - that it is an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can mimic or disrupt the body's hormones.
Experts warn that this news shouldn't put you off using sunscreen. "We know that UV exposure is a risk factor for certain types of skin cancer, but we don't yet know the implications of this research," Lister said.
An alternative is a natural sunscreen that contains minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that are not absorbed by the skin. But for those with darker skin, mineral sunscreens can make them look white and shiny. Additionally, mineral sunscreens are consistently rated as the least protective sunscreens in CR tests.
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