I Thought Melanin Was Enough: Why I Finally Added Sunscreen to My Routine

Hey B Natural Family,

Scoot a little closer and let’s talk about how I destroyed my glow for years because of ignorance.

Good friends don’t let friends stay ignorant. So if you don’t know, you’ll know in 2 minutes.

Confession: I used to skip sunscreen because I never burned. Growing up with brown skin, I thought melanin protected me enough. But with time I learned that the sun’s UV rays still find us all – causing fine lines, uneven tone, and stubborn dark spots if we’re not careful.

I knew something was wrong when after one beach day a few summers ago I had this very deep suntan that just WOULD NOT GO AWAY. It was baked in real good! I had to research what was going on and here’s what I found:

Even deeply pigmented skin only has a natural SPF of around 4, which is far below what dermatologists advise. UVB rays (the ones that burn) and UVA rays (which age skin) affect everyone. In fact, visible light and UVA can worsen hyperpigmentation in darker skin. The Cleveland Clinic confirms: “Every time the sun hits your skin, it makes those spots darker and stimulates more melanin production,” Dr. Williams notes.

The good news? A few smart sun-habits go a long way. Dermatologists agree everyone needs sunscreen daily – year-round, no matter your tone. For summer, use a broad-spectrum lotion with SPF 30 or higher and rub it on every exposed area 15 minutes before going outside. (Think face, ears, neck, arms – even the tops of your feet!) In peak sun, reapply at least every two hours, or right after swimming or heavy sweating.

Build SPF into your routine: Squeeze it onto damp skin after cleansing or mix it into your moisturizer. If you wear makeup, apply sunscreen first and let it absorb before foundation. There are even moisturizers and makeup with built-in SPF, but remember: extra is better – add a dedicated sunscreen on top. Keep a travel-size SPF stick or spray for quick touch-ups on shoulders, the back of hands, and baby cheeks.

Mineral vs. chemical filters: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (physical sunscreens) are gentle and stable – ideal for sensitive skin – though some brands can look whitish on dark skin. A tinted sunscreen (with iron oxides) is a great trick: it blends like a sheer foundation and also shields you from visible light. If you’re using a clear (chemical) sunscreen, reapply faithfully; if it’s a mineral tint, give it 5–10 minutes to fully blend in before heading out.

Above all, make sunscreen easy and automatic. Dr. Sugai from the Cleveland Clinic suggests setting an alarm or placing the bottle by your toothbrush. That way, you slip it on as naturally as toothpaste each morning. By treating sunscreen like a daily staple – not just a beach-day extra – you protect your skin’s long-term health without fuss.

In short: Your melanin is beautiful, but it’s not a sunblock. Layer on that broad-spectrum SPF, and let your glow shine on, safely.