The Best “No White Cast” Sunscreens for: Brown Skin, Dark Skin Tones, and People of Color
- When I was younger I thought sunscreen was only for the beach.
Everyone should wear sunscreen, every day, no matter what time of year, or where you live in the world.
But, sunscreen without a “white cast” can be hard to find for brown skin, darker skin tones and other people of color.
You can find the best sunscreens at your local drugstore, Ulta Beauty, Sephora, and more.
Even better, I’ve tried more sunscreens than I care to admit so you will definitely find a sunscreen that fits your needs and budget below!
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical sunscreen
Best Sunscreen for: oily skin types, normal skin types
Featured ingredient(s): Frankincense and Meadowfoam Seed
Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen has a cult like following in the beauty world for a reason.
You can use it all year round and it doesn’t add any additional shine (or glow), so its easy to wear with or without makeup.
It works well with other skincare products too! Unseen sunscreen is a staple in my collection, and I always keep a back up just in case I run out.
Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical sunscreen
Best Sunscreen for: dry skin types, normal skin types
Featured ingredient(s): Avocado, jojoba oil, cacao, carrot juice, sunflower oils
Black Girl Sunscreen isn’t just hype, they know how to formulate sunscreen for black women (and people of color) for sure!
This sunscreen formula blends seamlessly into the skin (no ashy cast) and adds hydration for a beautiful finish.
Also, the amount of product you get with this sunscreen will last you a while. That’s definitely a bonus!
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical sunscreen
Best Sunscreen for: dry skin types, oily skin types, normal skin types
Featured ingredient(s): Proprietary “Wetforce” and “Heatforce” Technology
Shiseido is a brand that consistently produces great products. Their Ultimate Sun Protector has been popular for years because it blends in quickly with no white cast and doesn’t add too much shine to the face.
This sunscreen, along with other beauty editor favorites stay in my “spf protection” rotation!
Eleven by Venus Williams Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral/Physical sunscreen
Best Sunscreen for: dry skin types, normal skin types
Featured ingredient(s): Coconut fruit extract, Shea butter esters, Vanilla fruit extract, Ginger lily extract, “Vitamin c rich mandarin”
So many celebrities are creating their own beauty brands! Tennis legend Venus Williams is joining the beauty community with products that are perfect for an active lifestyle with Eleven.
The Unrivaled Sun Serum has a thin consistency and definitely feels like a serum more than sunscreen.
A sunscreen serum with SPF 35 coverage is rare, and this one doesn’t add shine to the skin. Perfect for combination skin.
Peter Thomas Roth Max Clear Invisible Priming Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical sunscreen
Best Sunscreen for: dry skin types, oily skin types, normal skin types
Featured ingredient(s): Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Bisabolol
All skin types will love this sunscreen. It applies like a moisturizer but has SPF 45 and doesn’t add any additional shine to the face.
I love the “priming” properties of this sunscreen, Max Clear provides a smooth surface for makeup, no need for an additional primer!
Milani Make It Last Sunscreen Setting Spray SPF 30
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical sunscreen
Best Sunscreen for: dry skin types, normal skin types
Featured ingredient(s): Majus flower leaf and stem extract
Milani’s non-spf setting spray is on many must-have lists. Its affordable, fights against sun rays and extends the wear time of your makeup.
The Make It Last Sunscreen Setting Spray SPF 30 version has all the same benefits, but also provides sunscreen protection with a bit of additional glow!
Pacifica Set & Protect Matte Sheer Setting Mist SPF 45
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical sunscreen
Best Sunscreen for: oily skin types, normal skin types
Featured ingredient(s): Vitamin C, Sea minerals
If you’re looking for a matte finish spf setting spray that won’t add shine to your skin or makeup look then try Pacifica’s Set & Protect Matte Sheer Setting Mist.
This spray also has vitamin c to keep the skin looking plump and vibrant at the end of your skin care routine, even without makeup. It also has blue light protection!
Supergoop (Re)Setting Refreshing Mist SPF 40
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical sunscreen
Best Sunscreen for: dry skin types, oily skin types, normal skin types
Featured ingredient(s): English field mustard, Chinawood Oil, Rosemary, Mint
If you’re looking for a sunscreen setting and refreshing mist that isn’t matte, but also doesn’t add more glow, then try the Supergoop Resetting Refreshing Mist SPF 40.
It wont change the look of your skin or makeup at all. It also comes in a mini version that is perfect for on the go applications.
More Popular Sunscreens
What level of sunscreen should you wear?
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests wearing a minimum of SPF 30 or higher daily, however the FDA recommends SPF 15 or higher.
You will often find recommendations to wear a daily sunscreen of SPF 30 to provide a higher percentage of coverage against the suns UVA and UVB rays (which is considered broad-spectrum protection).
In recent years, wearing at least SPF 30 has become an unspoken standard in the Skincare industry. Products that are less than SPF 30 are still effective, but it’s up to you to decide if a lower level of protection is ok for your lifestyle.
FDA: How to protect your skin from the sun
AAD: Sunscreen Stats
