The Truth About Sunscreen and Melanin

The Myth: “I Don’t Need Sunscreen Because I Have Dark Skin”

You’ve probably heard someone say it or have thought it yourself: “I don’t need sunscreen; I have dark skin.” It’s a common belief, but one that can have serious consequences.

Although melanin provides some natural protection, the darkest skin color only provides the equivalent of sun protection factor (SPF) 13, and the American Academy of Dermatology generally recommends SPF 30 or higher.

Skin Cancer in People of Color: Less Common, More Deadly

And while people of color are less likely to develop skin cancer, it’s often more deadly when it does occur, largely because it’s detected later. Despite a lower overall incidence of melanoma (a type of skin cancer) in Black populations, there is a 26% difference in survival between White and Black patients. Studies also show that Black patients are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed once the cancer has already spread, making treatment and outcomes a lot worse.

Why Sunscreen Still Matters for Melanated Skin

Protection starts with wearing sunscreen. Thankfully, there are now plenty of broad-spectrum options (meaning they protect against UVA and UVB rays) that are sheer, tinted, or specifically designed to blend beautifully into darker skin colors.

Look for:

• SPF 30 or higher.
• Broad-spectrum protection.
• Tinted or mineral-based formulas to help avoid a white cast.

Sunscreen Is a Daily Essential—Not Just for Sunny Days

This matters especially in the peak of summer, but sunscreen isn’t just for beach days. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can still reach you through clouds and even through windows, so making sunscreen a part of your daily routine is important.

Skin Cancer Can Look Different on Darker Skin

Wearing sunscreen is a powerful way to protect your skin, but it’s not the only one. Checking your skin regularly can help catch warning signs early, especially since skin cancer can look different on darker skin.

When we think of skin cancer checks, we might think of a “weird looking” mole on our shoulder or back. But for people with darker skin, skin cancer often shows up in places you might not expect, like the soles of the feet or between the toes, palms of the hands, under the nails, or even on the scalp or inside the mouth. Acral lentiginous melanoma, a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer, is the most common type of melanoma in people with darker skin colors, and it often hides in these harder-to-spot areas.

How to Perform a Skin Check at Home

Here’s how to do a quick skin check:

• Stand in front of a mirror with good lighting.
• Look over your whole body.
• Use a hand mirror for hard-to-see areas, or ask someone you trust to help.
• Look for new spots, sores that won’t heal, dark streaks in nails, or any spots that are changing in shape, size, or color.

You Deserve to Be Protected and Seen

You may have never been told to check the bottoms of your feet or the skin under your nails. You may have never thought to put on sunscreen while inside. You may have never seen skin cancer on somebody who looks like you. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen, or that you don’t deserve to be protected.