Yes, Black Woman. You Need Sunscreen

Who told us that Black people don’t need to wear sunscreen? Who started this bald-faced lie? 

Did anyone ever stop to think about how it was possibly seeded in racism? Think about it. The medical field has been historically known to give Black people less than adequate care, including minimizing our pain. What makes us think that dermatology is any different?

Regardless of where this lie started, let’s all sit with the fact that it’s just that. A lie. 

Black people, hear me when I say this. We DO need sunscreen. Yes it’s true that our melanin does some blocking, like a SPF 13. BUT we need sunscreen that packs at least a 30 SPF punch, because up to that we are susceptible to sun damage and cancer. 

Because here’s the deal. Black people are more likely to die from skin cancer. As in, our survival rate is 65% - when the survival rate of white folks is 91%. This is a result of us being less likely to protect ourselves and being less likely to get checked. 

We can do better. 

Hold up though, I don’t want you running out and buying any old sunscreen. That could be nearly equally harmful to your health. 

Sunscreen can include some harmful ingredients that are particularly harmful due to the general nature of sunscreen involving: 

• Thick applications

• Repeated layering

• The absorption properties based on withstanding UV rays

• Proximity to inhalation and ingestion

It’s not far fetched to demand expectations of sunscreen that avoid allergic reactions, lung and organ toxicity, and skin irritations. Yet, that is exactly what a lot of sunscreen has been known to cause. 

Further, because it is made with something like a “penetration enhancer”, the chemicals that make up many mass produced sunscreens are absorbed through our skin and show up in the urine and breast milk of tested individuals. 

So what ingredients should you watch out for? 

• Oxybenzone is linked to endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity, and contact allergies. It is also harmful to aquatic life & is one of the ingredients banned in Hawaii. 

• Octinoxate which is known to cause endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity that has been found in breastmilk, urine and blood. This ingredient is also one that has been banned in Hawaii. 

• Homosalate has been linked to endocrine disruption and is known to enhance the absorption of pesticides. 

• Vitamin A is known to encourage the development of tumors. 

What should you look for? 

• Zinc Oxide is a naturally occurring UVA and UVB absorber (as a small %)

• Titanium Oxide that is a natural mineral that is a UV absorber (as a small %)

• Broad Spectrum sunscreen. UVB is what is accounted for in SPF. You need protection from UVA as well. 

Another thing to note is that there are no legal requirements or barriers around a company putting the words “reef safe” on their products. 

If you need a suggestion (because sunshine is NOT cancelled), try this:

• Beautycounter. Best of Beauty in 2018 by Allure. 

Promise me that you’ll protect yourself.