Minty Gal

I am proud to say that I have become that girl that never leaves the house without sunscreen. Although I am proud of the woman I have become, it has been a long journey to get to this point. In my early twenties, I relied on my makeup having SPF to get me through the day. Now, at 29, I wouldn’t dare to do something so careless. I have become more disciplined with sunscreen. Why?

Because it protects the skin from cancer which had already been a topic that hits close to home. In 2016, my father had skin cancer which resulted in him getting surgery to help with the diagnosis. Now I view sunscreen as the most important step in my skincare routine. Yes, I said skincare routine. It may not seem like this, when watching countless celebrities skip this crucial step in those all too popular Vogue “get ready with me” videos on YouTube. I’m here to reiterate the importance of sunscreen, no matter your ethnicity, race, or skin tone. Everyone needs to protect their skin from both UVA and UVB rays that can burn, age, and cause serious damage to unprotected skin. As a black woman, it has been difficult in the past to find sunscreens that work with my skin tone as well as a formula that doesn’t feel gross to apply. Here are my 3 sunscreens that I not only enjoy using but have been approved by my sisters as well. 

-Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream- $23

As I mentioned in a previous article, SokoGlam is a great site for Korean skincare and makeup. It is also a site I visit for great reviews, and information, and where I repurchase most of my skincare. I credit SokoGlam for introducing me to sunscreens I actually enjoy and this one is fantastic. As someone who has dry, acne-prone skin, I find this sunscreen to be very comfortable on the skin. It quenches my dry skin without feeling overly greasy throughout the day. It is loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe to help calm and soothe skin. This sunscreen has SPF 50 coverage which is great but doesn’t have the UVA grade protection that is listed as PA+ on other sunscreens. Still, a very good option for overall UVB protection, does not break me out and it doesn’t leave a white cast. 

-Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen- $32

I am a huge fan of the original Neogen Day-Light sunscreen and have been loyal to that sunscreen for years. When I saw the launch of this new, matte version of the original I knew I wanted to give it a try. What I wasn’t expecting was to love it more than the original. The formula feels similar to the original, light and nourishing, but I did find this one to be less hydrating. However, I like the finish it leaves. As it says in the title, the “airy” finish feels quite mattifying, which I can appreciate considering many sunscreens leave a dewy finish. This product is loaded with plant extracts and has superior UVA and UVB protection. This product is a win-win.

-Glossier Invisible Sheild Daily Sunscreen- $25

It seems as though any list of mine cannot be complete without a Glossier product (I just can’t help it!). I absolutely love this sunscreen. It is invisible, just as the title suggests, and the citrusy smell lifts my spirits. It comes in a travel-friendly size making it easier to take with you on long days. It doesn’t rank the highest in SPF, only at 35 but that is still decent sun protection for those who aren’t laying in direct sunlight for hours. This is a great vegan option that delivers decent UVA/UVB protection. What I like most about this product is that I enjoy using it, as that is step one to consistently wearing sunscreen. It is also completely clear, making it perfect for darker skin tones.