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These are the face SPFs that leave no white cast on Black skin

Dark skin tones finally have solid options for sun protection 🌞🧴

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best spf for dark skin
Courtesy of Brand

I’ve been a beauty journo for a decade and let me tell you, the sunscreen situation has vastly improved. When I was younger, as a sun-loving Black child, my parents would coat me in sunblock that left me so damn ashy. The white cast felt unavoidable.

Nowadays, the SPF game is slicker than ever, and there are tons of options for darker skin that’ll leave you glowy and protected - not grey and sticky AF. So, you have no excuse for not protecting yourself against harmful UVA/UVB rays all year round. Yes, you read that correctly – All. Year. Round.

You need to be applying sunscreen to your face and neck every day that ends in ‘Y’ because while yes, Black people are less likely to develop skin cancer, we can still get it. Due to the myth surrounding the sun's effects on Black skin, people have been led to believe they are immune to the risk of exposure to UV rays, and therefore skin cancer is more likely to have reached an advanced stage when found in Black skin. It’s a very real reality that can be prevented by slathering on a high-factor SPF daily.

And now, with the development that goes into brands’ formulas (I'm talking barely-there finishes and non-tacky textures), there’s plenty of choice. Gone are the days when using an SPF meant leaving our melanin-rich skin a horrible dull grey colour. Here are our top picks below…


BTW, our Summer Beauty Bible is on newsstands now. Don’t miss your chance to grab your guide full of helpful tips and product recs – buy now, keep forever.


How we test the best SPFS for Black skin

All of these SPFs have been tested rigorously by our team multiple times to check things like wear time and ease of reapplication. We believe that SPF should be worn daily to protect our skin from harmful UV rays, so it's important that these formulas feel good to use, sink in quickly and layer on top of the rest of our other skincare daily. As well as feeling good, the focus of testing these for Black skin is that these SPF's leave no visible cast on the skin – guaranteed.

The pigmentation warrior SPF

L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot UV Fluid SPF 50 with Niacinamide 50ml

Editor’s Choice
Bright Reveal Dark Spot UV Fluid SPF 50  with Niacinamide 50ml

UV rays are known for bringing out dark spots so this clever, sheer SPF helps to reverse the look of them while protecting skin from getting more. Plus, we get extra smoothness from the niacinamide. Triple tick.

The reapplication hero

Dr. Jart+ Every SunDay Ultra-Sheer Priming Sunscreen Stick

Every SunDay Ultra-Sheer Priming Sunscreen Stick

Confession, while I am very, very good at applying SPF, reapplying is another story. So thank goodness for the new iteration of sticks and sprays that make it so much easier. This sun stick from K-beauty brand Dr Jart+ glides onto the skin so easily leaving no residue at all. It also acts as a great makeup primer too.

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The gel-like SPF

Glossier Invisible Shield SPF50

Invisible Shield SPF50
Credit: Glossier

The water-gel consistency of this sunscreen means that not only does it not leave a white cast it’s a great base for makeup (you can thank the formula’s active microcapsules for this) leaving more of a dewy finish.

Imagine a traditional makeup primer texture without the silicone slip, that’s how this gem applies on the skin so you also don’t have to wait ages for it to sink in before cracking on with your makeup.

The primer SPF

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 30

Unseen Sunscreen SPF 30
Credit: Courtesy of Brand

This is a totally transparent SPF 30 formula with marine-friendly ingredients and contains red algae, which neutralises blue light damage too. This formula dries matte so if you prefer a more matte/satin-y base you’ll definitely prefer this one over the Glossier.

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The hydrating SPF

Coco & Eve Daily Daily Water Gel SPF50+ Sunscreen

Daily Daily Water Gel SPF50+ Sunscreen

With hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and vitamin E, this lotion is super moisturising, delivering daily radiance and hydration as well as high UVA and UVB protection. With this baby you can skip your moisturiser altogether.

The vitamin C-infused SPF

Garnier Garnier Vitamina C Crema Fluida Diaria Invisible Antimanchas Anti-UV, Previene, protege y reduce las manchas SPF50+ - 40ML

Garnier Vitamina C Crema Fluida Diaria Invisible Antimanchas Anti-UV, Previene, protege y reduce las manchas SPF50+ - 40ML
Now 51% Off
Credit: Garnier

We love a multi-tasker here at Cosmo and getting a vitamin C hit along with sun protection is a win. The texture is lightweight and dries down quickly so is great for makeup application, too. It leaves your skin a little dewy but if you’re after even more shine, you can try the Glow version.

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The one for all skin types

Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50

PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50
Credit: Space NK

The old adage goes, the best sunscreen is the one you’ll wear everyday, and this is mine. It’s the perfect texture so you can forego a moisturiser and just apply this as a does-it-all step before heading out. Plus, it’s water-resistant, so minimal reapplication is required.

The lightweight SPF

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+ Sun Cream 50ml

Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+ Sun Cream 50ml

This gem proves that there is no excuse for brands creating SPF that leaves a white cast. This is probably the most “traditional” sunscreen of the bunch but doesn’t even leave a whisper of residue on the skin. The formula is super runny and lightweight, making it ridiculously easy to blend.

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The youth-protecting SPF

No7 Future Renew UV Defence Shield SPF 50 50ml

Future Renew UV Defence Shield SPF 50 50ml
Credit: Courtesy of Brand

This baby is all about the highest protection in the lightest formula. Fast absorbing and hydrating, it works beautifully under makeup. And it's part of the Future Renew line, so, of course, there's age-defying peptide technology.

The oil-free SPF

Fenty Skin Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Spf 30

Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Spf 30

Riri strikes again with her latest industry-approved skincare drop. The SPF 30 formula, which pumps out pink, is highly-moisturising and offers more hydrating benefits thanks to the hyaluronic acid in the ingredients list. Plus, it’s oil-free so there’s none of that overly greasy residue. We love to see it.

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Sculpted by Aimee Sun Mist - SPF 50 Spray

Sun Mist - SPF 50 Spray
Now 57% Off
Credit: Sculpted

This is golden if you are going out with makeup on and you don’t want to disrupt your masterpiece by rubbing in sunscreen every two hours. With this SPF you can do your normal AM skincare routine and your makeup and then mist it on top to protect you from harmful rays. We stan a multitasking product.

The SPF for Acne Prone Skin

Heliocare 360 Oil-Free Gel SPF 50 50ml

360 Oil-Free Gel SPF 50 50ml
Now 26% Off
Credit: Courtesy of Brand

Elena Says; "If you're worried about sunscreen triggering acne or making it worse, look for something labelled oil-free and non-comodogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores. With its oil-free gel formula, matte finish and affordable price point, Heliocare is a popular recommendation from derms for those who struggle with acne."

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The high-tech formula

Ultrasun Anti Pigmention Face Lotion SPF 50+

Anti Pigmention Face Lotion SPF 50+

Story-time – When I was 18, I went skiing with my sixth form and high factor suncream was on the packing list. Being the skin-conscious teen that I was, I slathered on factor 50. I now can’t look at any of those pictures because the white cast was so bad, I looked like I dipped my face in flour. If only I had this Ultrasun find. It helps to prevent dark spots and is suitable for sensitive skin. It has a slight tint to it which as first seems like it won’t blend but once smoothed on it’s not detectable.

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The face and body SPF

Vichy Ideal Soleil Hydrating Sun Protection Water SPF 30 200ml

Ideal Soleil Hydrating Sun Protection Water SPF 30 200ml

This one's a water spray, so no grey tinge and no residue. It sets quickly so won't ruin makeup, and includes hyaluronic acid which helps to plump the skin up whilst protecting from the sun. Plus as an added bonus, thanks to it being designed for face and body, it’s a whooping 200ml so you can spray your entire self as well as your whole family and everyone else on the beach without running out. It's also available in factor 50.

Headshot of Keeks Reid
Keeks Reid
Beauty Director

Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old.  She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.  
 

Headshot of Elena Chabo
Elena Chabo
Former Beauty Writer

Elena Chabo is Cosmopolitan UK's former beauty writer, working on everything from buzzy celeb news and trending beauty, to sincere first-person reviews and engaging video content for social media. She also creates meatier features and expert-led how-to guides, for print and online. Her passion for Black beauty, textured hair, and the ways beauty interacts with culture, society, identity and relationships, quickly took over her writing career and led her into beauty journalism. Following an MA in Magazine Journalism in 2017, she cut her teeth across various roles at Stylist Magazine, before taking on a Digital Writer role at Good Housekeeping. It was here that beauty took centre stage and she launched and ran the site's first stand-alone beauty section. Remaining at Hearst, she joined the Cosmo beauty team in 2022. Find her on LinkedIn. 

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