Frequently asked questions
What should I look for when shopping for sunscreen?
According to Dr. Ahmed, there are three things to keep top of mind when shopping for sunscreen as a darker-skinned person: SPF, the type of UV filters, and the formula. “When shopping for sunscreen for darker skin tones, the first thing I tell patients to look for is SPF 30 or higher with broad-spectrum protection,” she says. “This ensures protection against both UVB rays, which cause sunburns, and UVA rays, which contribute to premature aging and hyperpigmentation.”
As for filters, there are “organic” chemical filters—think avobenzone, homosalate, and octisalate, among others—and “inorganic” mineral filters, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide; some formulas combine both. “For many patients with deeper skin tones, I often prefer tinted mineral sunscreens because they help protect against visible light, which can worsen discoloration and melasma,” she explains. “I also like multitasking formulas that include ingredients such as niacinamide and antioxidants like vitamins C and E to support the skin barrier and improve uneven tone over time.”
Speaking of formulas: “Cosmetic elegance,” as Dr. Ahmed describes it, is also worth considering, since this is a nonnegotiable step in your skin care routine. Simply put: “The best sunscreen is the one you will actually want to wear every single day.”
What is SPF, and how much do I need?
Per Sumayah Taliaferro, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Atlanta Dermatology and Aesthetics, SPF—or sun protection factor—is just a measure of how well your sunscreen will protect your skin from the UV rays. Most dermatologists recommend using SPF 30 or above, but in some cases, the ideal SPF level depends on what you’re doing and where you are. “I often recommend SPF 50+ before more intense exposures like baseball games, golfing, going to the beach, or any other outside activity during peak sun hours,” Dr. Taliaferro says.
Which sunscreen format is best?
These days, you can find sunscreens in a variety of formats, from powders to creams to sprays. Ultimately, the best sunscreen for you comes down to personal preference, as there are pros and cons with each. A lotion, for example, will give you the most even spread, as stated by Dr. Taliafer, but some lotions can be messy, runny, or oily when left in the sun.
Sunscreen sprays, on the other hand, tend to be less messy in comparison to lotions, and they come in handy on days when you need to reapply your sunscreen over makeup or other products that might be sitting on your face. That said, if you’re using a mist, you also run the risk of not covering the entire surface area of your face or body with the right amount of product. “With sunscreen sprays and mists, extra care must be taken to rub in the product to ensure adequate coverage and to not inhale the product,” says Brittany Oliver, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “I recommend avoiding spraying onto the face or during windy conditions.”
SPF sticks are also handy for mess-free application. “Sunscreen sticks require multiple passes over the same area followed by rubbing it into the skin to make sure you benefit from the level of SPF listed on the bottle,” she adds. “This also makes it less likely that you’ll miss a spot!”
How much sunscreen do I need, and how often should I be re-applying it?
Dr. Ahmed recommends applying “about a nickel-size amount” of sunscreen to your face every two hours, with reapplication being especially important if you’re going to be out in the sun or near windows. And remember: “Sunscreen is not seasonal. It is a daily essential, since UV exposure accumulates over time even on cloudy days.”
What skin concerns can wearing sunscreen help treat?
The real question is what can’t sunscreen help treat? “Sunscreen is really the overachiever of skin care. It is the foundation for both prevention and treatment,” says Dr. Ahmed. “It helps prevent and improve hyperpigmentation, melasma, acne marks, uneven skin tone, rosacea, wrinkles, collagen loss, and skin cancer, which is why it is such a cornerstone in dermatology.”
By protecting you from UV rays, it also helps reinforce all those products in your skin care routine that came before it. “Brightening products, anti-aging treatments, and acne regimens all work better when the skin is consistently protected from daily UV exposure,” she says.
