Sunscreen for Black Girls

Let me start by saying, yes. Yes, Black girl, you need to put sunscreen on.

The thing is the saying that “Black doesn’t crack” does not mean that melanated skin is immune to sun damage. 

Getting a sunburn is not the only sign that is indicative of harm. 

In the medical community, it comes as no real surprise that there is a lack of adequate care and research when it comes to the health of Black women. This includes sunscreen. 

You don’t have to listen to us, however, here are some facts:

• Black people are diagnosed with skin cancer are more likely to learn about it at later (more advanced) stages

• Black people are 4x more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage melanoma

• Black people die from melanoma at a rate of 1.5x that of white folks 

Are you listening yet?

Hopefully the answer is yes.

Will you commit to wearing sunscreen?

As always, keep it clean and avoid these ingredients:

Oxybenzone - linked to endocrine disruption, toxicity, sperm development issues, coral reef bleaching

Octinoxate - linked to thyroid issues

Avobenzone - linked to hormone disruption

Homosalate - linked to hormone disruption

Octocrylene - linked to an increased risk of cancer

Dixybenzone - linked to endocrine disruption, contaminates breast milk

Ensulizole - linked to nerve cell injury, DNA damage

Meradimate - banned in Japan and Europe

Sulbobenzone - linked to skin irritation, endocrine disruption 

Two ingredients to look for in a cleaner, safer sunscreen are:

• Zinc Oxide

• Titanium Dioxide 
  
  
  
  

Here are two sunscreen products we recommend: 

EleEven

UnSun

Remember. Your melanin does not protect you from (all) UV damage.