Black and brown folks far and wide know this struggle all too well: at times, it feels nearly impossible to find a sunscreen that doesn't leave a trail of white cast due to zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (naturally white powders!) in its wake. So, I'm here to help. First, let me make this known: I'm very picky about what I put on my face. While I'm happy to test out most things, the things that I choose to use again all must meet a few requirements. Consistency is important—I don't want to feel greasy and I also don't want to feel dry, I want the perfect balance. And, for a sunscreen that's being layered over my already thought out and ultra hydrating skincare routine, I prefer if it includes some skincare benefits of its own—think hyaluronic acid, aloe, and hydrating oils.
Now that we’ve laid out my requirements and established my standards, keep reading for the 11 clear sunscreens that I’ve determined to be the best for Black and brown skin, all personally tested by me.
Methodology: How I Tested The Sunscreens
For each product that I tested, I wore the sunscreen throughout a summer day. While I could tell which did and did not leave behind a white cast pretty quickly after application, I also wasn't going to recommend products that I didn't actually like beyond that factor. From there, I narrowed down which products both didn't leave a white cast behind on my melanin-rich skin and that I actually liked the feeling of after extended wear.
Best Water-Like Sunscreen: Tatcha The Milky Suncreen SPF 50
Best Mineral Sunscreen: Kiehl's Better Screen Miner-all UV Serum Mineral Sunscreen
Best Korean Beauty Sunscreen: TIRTIR Hydro UV Shield Sunscreen
Best Serum Sunscreen: La Roche Posay Anthelios UVAIR SPF 50 Serum Sunscreen
Best Black-Owned Suncreen: Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30
Best Stick Sunscreen: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Clear Stick
Best Cushion Sunscreen: Sulwhasoo UV Wise On-The-Go Sun Cushion
Best Glowy Sunscreen: Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturizer Mineral SPF 50
Best Gel Sunscreen: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
Best Lightweight Sunscreen: ISDIN Fusion Water Magic SPF 40
Best Thicker Sunscreen: innisfree Daily UV Invisible Korean Sunscreen
Tatcha The Milky Suncreen SPF 50
Perhaps the most lightweight and water-like sunscreen that I tested, the "milky light" description is completely accurate. It glides on effortlessly, feels like a a second skin and, most importantly, leaves no white cast in sight. Packed with Vitamin E for hydration and aloe for soothing, this is a dry, sensitive-skinned girl's dream.
SPF: 50
Formula: Chemical
Free Of Parabens: Yes
Safe For Sensitive Skin: Yes
Kiehl's Better Screen Miner-all UV Serum Mineral Sunscreen
Not quite as lightweight as the Tatcha sunscreen but lightweight nonetheless, this Kiehl's sunscreen truly feels moisturizing as it goes on. Sensitive skin friendly with Cica Centella in the formula, great for those prone to redness, and as blendable as they come, I find myself reaching for this one day after day.
SPF: 50
Formula: Mineral
Free Of Parabens: Yes
Safe For Sensitive Skin: Yes
TIRTIR Hydro UV Shield Sunscreen
I had already fallen in love with K-beauty brand TIRTIR, so I shouldn't have been too surprised when the Hydro UV Sunscreen stole my heart, too. The consistency is perfectly creamy and feels very much like skincare—it is formulated with aloe extract, triple hyaluronic acid, and phyto collagen, after all, and all for an accessible and reasonable price-point.
SPF: 50+
Formula: Chemical
Free Of Parabens: Yes
Safe For Sensitive Skin: Yes
La Roche Posay Anthelios UVAIR SPF 50 Serum Sunscreen
I described this sunscreen as "light as air" before I even read that descriptor on the La Roche Posay website. I want my sunscreen to be one of two things: undetectable and as if it's not even there, or adding a boost of hydration to my skincare routine. This one does both, which I didn't even consider a possibility.
SPF: 50
Formula: Chemical
Free Of Parabens: Yes
Safe For Sensitive Skin: Yes
Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30
Made for Black folks by Black folks, it's not surprising that this product is 100% white cast free—Black people know the SPF struggle all too well. This sunscreen is without that generic sunscreen feel and goes on so silky smooth. Plus, the formula includes avocado oil for hydration, carrot juice for healing, jojoba oil for wrinkle prevention, and cacao for a boost of antioxidants.
SPF: 30
Formula: Chemical
Free Of Parabens: Yes
Safe For Sensitive Skin: Yes
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Clear Stick
First thing's first: I wasn't sure how much I would like the stick sunscreen format, but I actually really appreciate it. It's what I'll be packing in my beach bag over 4th of July weekend, as it's perfect for a quick reapplication after spending time in the water. This product glides so smoothly and has no white cast from start to finish.
SPF: 60+
Formula: Chemical
Free Of Parabens: Yes
Safe For Sensitive Skin: Yes
Sulwhasoo UV Wise On-The-Go Sun Cushion
I'm not going to lie, I didn't have much faith in this form of SPF. From a first glance, the product appears very white and I couldn't imagine blending into my brown skin with just the puff. But, in the end, I was pleasantly surprised by the consistency. The product glided seamlessly and left a hilighter-esque glow behind. And, the product is formulated with five types of hyaluronic acid, squalane, and antioxidant-rich botanicals.
SPF: 50+
Formula: Mineral & Chemical
Free Of Parabens: Yes
Safe For Sensitive Skin: Yes
Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturizer Mineral SPF 50
Naturium has been a go-to of mine for body-care products for awhile now, so now it's not surprising that I'm growing into a fan of their skincare, too. What I love most about Naturium's Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF is the noticeable glow it leaves behind that I crave year-round. I also love that it's formulated with niacinamide to help improve one's complexion. Extra points for the pump applicator that initially appears like a squeeze tube!
SPF: 50
Formula: Mineral
Free Of Parabens: Yes
Safe For Sensitive Skin: Yes
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
The first thing that surprised me about the product is that it's a fully clear gel consistency. It glides on like water, serves as the perfect makeup primer, and is completely scent-less. It's formulated with chamomile-derived bisabolol and licorice root complex for soothing and clarity, meadowfoam seed oil for hydration, and marine algae for environmental protection. I've tried and loved a few Supergoop! sunscreens, but this one is by far my favorite.
SPF: 50
Formula: Chemical
Free Of Parabens: Yes
Safe For Sensitive Skin: Yes
ISDIN Fusion Water Magic SPF 40
I was first introduced to this product after Alex Eala raved about it right before she won the Grand Slam. If this is what she wore while spending countless hours being active under the hot sun, I knew it had to be good. I was right! It's simultaneously ultra-light and ultra hydrating, it's not at all greasy, and it doesn't leave a white cast. Long story short, it's nearly perfect.
SPF: 50
Formula: Chemical
Free Of Parabens: Yes
Safe For Sensitive Skin: Yes
innisfree Daily UV Invisible Korean Sunscreen
This has been my go-to sunscreen for a few years so, in my testing process, I had to revisit it to see where it stands now. Long story short: I'm still obsessed! It's not as lightweight as some of the others I tried, but it's perfectly thick and feels the most like skincare out of the bunch.
SPF: 50+
Formula: Chemical
Free Of Parabens: Yes
Safe For Sensitive Skin: Yes