It can be hard to find the best sunscreen for darker skin, because many sunscreens were not made with darker skin in mind and end up leaving a white cast behind. Behold, two beloved Korean sunscreens that work for all skin tones.
Korean sunscreens are unparalleled. The companies go above and beyond to provide superior protection compared to Western sunscreens. For one, Korean sunscreens aren’t beholden to FDA requirements (although all of the sunscreens sold on Soko Glam are FDA-approved), which means they boast formulas that include ingredients that sometimes offer better protection and a better feel than American sunscreens.
There’s a myth out there that those with darker skin tones don’t need to wear sunscreen because they “don’t burn easily.” We will stress what we’ve constantly stressed: UV RAYS DON’T DISCRIMINATE. Sure, lighter skin tones are more prone to sunburn, but that doesn’t mean that the sun doesn’t damage dark skin tones. Without sunscreen, UV rays will penetrate the skin, especially if you have darker skin and you’ve been out in the sun for hours.
Bottom line: If you have darker skin and you’re worried about aging and developing wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and sun spots (and also preventing yourself from getting skin cancer), you must wear sunscreen every single day!
The sunscreens:
So now that we got that out of the way, we’d like to show you what two super popular Korean sunscreens look like on different skin tones. The first sunscreen we tested was the popular Missha Waterproof Sun Milk SPF 50+/PA+++. People love this sunscreen because it offers amazing protection from UVA and UVB rays (that’s what the PA stands for). It uses ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate to protect skin from the sun’s rays and its waterproof power means it will stay intact through perspiration (perfect for those really hot summer days).
Another great thing about this sunscreen? Its texture and feel:
Sure, it immediately looks really white when you first apply it, but after some light blending, the sunscreen seeps right into skin and doesn’t leave a white cast. It’s super lightweight and hardly feels like you’re wearing anything once you completely blend it in. This is why many people with oily, acne-prone, and combination skin love this one. It offers protection without weighing down skin.
The second sunscreen we tested is the cult favorite Neogen Day-Light Protection Sun Screen SPF 50/PA+++. Why is this a cult fave? Because it’s one of the most substantial sunscreens that doesn’t feel like you’re slathering on Coppertone. And by this I mean it’s one of those sunscreens that feels more a bit more like an actual sunscreen (it’s more physical than chemical) but without that gross greasy feeling and nasty sunscreen smell. Thanks to raspberry and rose extracts, it works to brighten skin and eliminate any chemical smell. The texture is more cream-like, yet still light:
Since it’s a bit heavier than the Missha sunscreen, the Neogen sunscreen works best for those with combination to dry skin types (it’s pretty hydrating). But it’s also amazing for people with oily and acne-prone skin who want to protect their skin but don’t want to add too many layers to their routine because it can multi-task as a moisturizer and sunscreen in one.
The results:
We asked six people to test these sunscreens on their bare faces. See below to see what the sunscreens look like on different skin tones, all with combination skin.
Tiffany
Skin type: Combination/Dry
Missha Waterproof Sun Milk:
“I love the Missha sunscreen,” says Tiffany. “It’s lightweight and sinks in my skin. It smells great and didn’t leave a white cast or irritate my skin.”
Neogen Day-Light Protection Sun Screen:
Ekene
Skin type: Combination, acne-prone
Missha Waterproof Sun Milk:
Neogen Day-Light Protection Sun Screen:
“I liked the Neogen sunscreen,” says Ekene. “As someone who is used to thicker sunscreens, and since sunscreen is usually my last step, I like that it feels like a moisturizer since it’s creamier. The best part is that is leaves no white cast.”
Ambe
Skin type: Combination
Missha Waterproof Sun Milk:
“I loved the Missha sunscreen due to its very silky texture, dewy glow, and most importantly, no white cast! I feel like it leaves a beautiful iridescent color to my face and it works very well under my makeup,” says Ambe.
Neogen Day-Light Protection Sun Screen:
“I like that it’s also made for sensitive skin, and I probably wouldn’t break out from it,” says Ambe.
Melissa
Skin type: Dry/Combination
Missha Waterproof Sun Milk:
Neogen Day-Light Protection Sun Screen:
Sabrina
Skin type: Combination
Missha Waterproof Sun Milk:
Sabrina says she likes the Missha sunscreen because “it’s light, it absorbs quick, and it’s mattifying.”
Neogen Day-Light Protection Sun Screen:
Martie
Skin type: Combination
Missha Waterproof Sun Milk:
Neogen Day-Light Protection Sun Screen:
“I love using the Neogen sunscreen as a moisturizer during the summer,” says Martie. “It’s so hydrating and lightweight enough to not feel like it’s weighing me down all day.”
+ What do you think is the best sunscreen for darker skin tones? Share your pick in the comments!
