Black People Don't Need Sunscreen... And Other Lies We Need to Stop Believing
- Lela Robinson
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
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If I'm being completely honest, I've spent most of my life wishing I were a few shades darker.
I know that probably surprises some people.
When you are light skinned black person you are called high yellow, red bone, mixed, or mulatto.
I hated it!
Growing up, I admired women with deep, rich complexions that looked like polished mahogany in the sunlight. I admired bold African features the beautiful noses, full lips, high cheekbones, and the kind of skin that seemed to glow from within. To me, there has always been something regal about it.
I love being a Black woman.
That doesn't mean every experience of being a Black woman has been easy. Living in America has brought its own challenges, conversations, and moments that have tested my patience and perspective. But those experiences have never made me love my identity any less.
If anything, they've made me appreciate it more.
So when someone hands me sunscreen, trust me, it's not because I'm trying to stay lighter.
I'm not avoiding the sun because I'm afraid of becoming "too dark."
Quite the opposite.
If summer wanted to leave me with a beautiful bronze glow, I certainly wouldn't complain.
But somewhere along the way, many of us grew up believing that our melanin was all the protection we'd ever need. We heard things like, "Black people don't burn," or "We don't need sunscreen."
I believed it for years.
Then I learned the difference between appreciating my melanin and assuming it could do a job it was never meant to do alone.
Melanin is incredible. It offers our skin some natural protection against the sun's ultraviolet rays, but it doesn't make us immune to sun damage, premature aging, or skin cancer.
Protecting my skin isn't about changing the color I was born with.
It's about honoring it.
Because this beautiful Black skin deserves care just like every other skin tone.
And that starts with reaching for the sunscreen not because I love my melanin any less, but because I love it enough to protect it.
Myth #1: Black People Can't Get Sunburned
False.
Black people absolutely can get sunburned.
It may happen less often than in people with very fair skin, and the redness may not be as obvious, but sunburn can still occur especially after long periods of sun exposure or at the beach, pool, or on the water.
Signs of sun damage in darker skin may include:
Tender or painful skin
Peeling
Increased warmth
Darkening or discoloration rather than bright red skin
Myth #2: Melanin Prevents Skin Cancer
Another myth.
Melanin offers some protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, but it does not eliminate the risk of skin cancer.
In fact, skin cancer is sometimes diagnosed later in Black patients because people including healthcare providers may not expect it or recognize the signs as quickly.
Later diagnosis can make treatment more difficult.
Myth #3: Dark Skin Doesn't Age From the Sun
One of the wonderful things about melanin is that it can help reduce some visible signs of aging compared with lighter skin.
But the sun still contributes to:
Fine lines
Uneven skin tone
Hyperpigmentation
Loss of elasticity
Dark spots
Protecting your skin helps preserve its health and appearance over time.
Myth #4: Sunscreen Leaves a White Cast, So It Isn't for Me
Years ago?
Fair criticism.
Today?
Not really.
Many brands now make sunscreens specifically formulated for deeper skin tones, including mineral and chemical options that blend in transparently without leaving an obvious white residue.
Myth #5: I Only Need Sunscreen at the Beach
The sun doesn't care where you are.
You receive UV exposure:
Driving
Gardening
Walking your dog
Watching your child's soccer game
Sitting by a window
Running errands
If you're spending extended time outdoors, sun protection matters.
Myth #6: If It's Cloudy, I'm Safe
Up to 80% of UV rays can still pass through clouds.
That's why you can tan or burn on an overcast day.
So What SPF Should You Wear?
For most people, dermatologists recommend:
Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher
Reapply every two hours when outdoors.
Reapply after swimming or heavy sweating.
Don't forget commonly missed areas:
Ears
Neck
Lips (use SPF lip balm)
Tops of the feet
Hands
Scalp if exposed
As a Black Woman...
I see sunscreen a little differently now.
It isn't about trying to avoid getting darker.
It's about protecting the skin I'm blessed to have.
Healthy skin is beautiful skin.
Whether you're caramel, espresso, mocha, mahogany, honey, cinnamon, or somewhere in between, your melanin is a gift but it isn't a substitute for sun protection.
So the next time someone says,
"Black people don't need sunscreen,"
Smile...
Hand them the bottle.
And tell them we're protecting this melanin because we plan on wearing it beautifully for a very long time.
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