Sun Protection for All Skin Tones: The Importance of Sunscreen Use in Skin of Color

Sophia Nem

OMS-III | she/her/hers
Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine

Darker Skin and Sun Protection: What You Should Know

X Myth: Individuals with darker skin tones don’t need to wear sunscreen.

✓ Truth: UV exposure from the sun can occur in ALL skin tones.



✓ Truth: Sunscreen use in ALL skin tones protects against UV rays that can cause skin cancer.

We’ve all been there. You’re trying out a new sunscreen and the next thing you know, you have the dreaded white cast! And for those of us with deeper skin tones, the cast can be up to 3 times more obvious (Shah et al., 2026). If this is a reason that you use less sunscreen during application or avoid it all together, keep reading because we have some recommendations that will leave your skin white cast-free and protected from UV!

While mineral sunscreens are often the culprits of white cast due to the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that provide a physical shield against UV rays, there are work-arounds for our friends who prefer these sunscreens due to their sensitive skin. 

● Tinted mineral sunscreens

○ Have pigment added to the formula to help minimize white cast

○ Look for sunscreens that have “tinted” in the name

● Nanoparticle mineral sunscreens (Smijs et al., 2011)

○ Have smaller particles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to help minimize white case

○ Look for sunscreens that have “nano”, “non-nano”, and “micronized” in the name

Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that absorb UV rays to protect the skin but also provide minimal to no white cast and easier blendability than mineral sunscreens. However, keep in mind that chemical sunscreens may be more irritating for those with sensitive skin (Mahjan et al., 2024).

● Look for sunscreens with these ingredients:

○ Avobenzone

○ Oxybenzone

○ Octisalate

○ Octinoxate

○ Homosalate

Ideally your sunscreen should have the following regardless of whether it is a mineral or chemical sunscreen (American Academy of Dermatology, 2025):

● Broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays with

● SPF 30 or higher

● Water-resistant

Beyond that, what sunscreen you choose ultimately depends on your skin and needs. Read our article “Choosing the Best Sunscreenscreen Based on Your Skin Type” for more information on picking the right sunscreen for you!

1. Shah, M., Burshtein, J., Zakria, D., Shyr, T., Benn, M., Adenaike, G., Teh, S. K., Williams, J. D., & Rigel, D. (2026). A Randomized Controlled Trial Analyzing the Likeability, Usability, and In-Use Efficacy of Mineral Sunscreens Across Diverse Skin Tones. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 25(6), 514–521. https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.9941
2. Mahajan, V. K., Sharma, N., Sharma, V., Verma, R., Chandel, M., & Singh, R. (2024). Topical Sunscreens: A Narrative Review for Contact Sensitivity, Potential Allergens, Clinical Evaluation, and Management for their Optimal Use in Clinical Practice. Indian dermatology online journal, 15(6), 920–929. https://doi.org/10.4103/idoj.idoj_111_24
3. Smijs, T. G., & Pavel, S. (2011). Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens: focus on their safety and effectiveness. Nanotechnology, science and applications, 4, 95–112. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSA.S19419
4. American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Sunscreen FAQs. Retrieved July 12, 2026, from https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen