for a good portion of my life, sunscreen was only used on beach or pool days during the summer. this practice was limited to spreading product on my body, which was always a grueling practice due to the funky smells and the white cast that would often be left behind. this led me to not wanting to use sunscreen at all, and a good amount of the time, i skipped out on it. for so long, i believed that because i was black, that there was no point in incorporating a sunscreen into my skin care routine. during college, i came to learn that this simply wasn’t true, as no matter your skin tone- you are still susceptible to sunburn and adverse effects such as skin damage, dark spots, and skin cancer.
with my newfound knowledge on the importance of sunscreen, i have since tried out a few different options, and have been loving the journey. over the past few months, i have been using the highly sought after black girl sunscreen, and i’m here to let you know that it is worth all the hype.
black girl sunscreen beginnings:
founded in 2016, black girl sunscreen was birthed to cater to melanated women. shontay lundy, founder of the company, and a miami native herself, knew all too well how many women of color would skip out on enjoying fun in the sun due to not being able to find a sunscreen that was for them. after years of research, she was able to create a formula that finally solved the age old issue of white cast. since then, black girl sunscreen has expanded, and can now be found online, and in target and ulta stores nationwide.
about the formula:
with black girl sunscreen- you’re getting more than just protection from the sun. formulated with key ingredients such as jojoba, avocado, & cacao, it works to hydrate and moisturize the skin. let’s break it down, shall we?
"avocado moisturizes, reduces signs of aging, and treats sunburns. jojoba soothes and moisturizes the skin leaving it flawless while preventing acne. cacao provides powerful anti-oxidants and evens out the complexion of your skin for a smooth, consistent skin tone. carrot juice contains vitamin c which enables it to promote healing and even boost the level of melanin in the skin. sun flower oil prevents skin irritation from sunburn and other skin irritants"
blackgirlsunscreen.com
if that wasn’t convincing enough- this formula is also vegan & cruelty-free, paraben & silicone-free, & reef safe. black girl sunscreen absorbs into the skin completely, leaving zero white cast, & my favorite part about it is that it’s fragrance free- so long to the triggers of my childhood!
when it comes to options, there are two formulas available on the market for adults, and one for children- namely the spf 30, make it matte (spf 45,) & kids spf 50. i have been using the spf 30 formula, and it’s definitely lived up to my expectations. i love the dewy glow that’s provided by the formula, and it feels amazing knowing that it was created by someone like me, for someone like me. as someone with oily skin, i have noticed that as temps rise outside, that my face can become oiler than usual as a result of use. i have started using less product and it has resolved the issue, however i’m definitely looking to try out the matte option. if you’re a oily gal like me- definitely consider using this method, or trying out the make it matte (spf 45,) version.
long gone are the days of miseducation & no sunscreen. whether you decide to use black girl sunscreen or not- make it a priority to incorporate a sunscreen into your skin care routine. your skin will thank you!
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