Melanin and Sun Protection: Why Sunscreen Is Essential Year-Round
It's official...Fall is here. Which means shorter days and longer nights. Now, that is no excuse to neglect your skincare routine. Yes guys...even us melanated individuals. Just because we may not be as exposed to the sun in the cooler months, it doesn't mean we aren't still susceptible to the effects of the sun's rays.
Contrary to "popular" belief, being black or having more melanin does not protect us from potential damage to our skin. We should be protecting ourselves ALL YEAR ROUND.
WHY?
Ultraviolet (UV) Rays do not take a break from damaging your skin, no matter what season we find ourselves experiencing. UVA rays may be responsible for premature aging and skin damage, and they are present whether it's cloudy or sunny.
Skin Cancer can affect anyone! Just because you may have more melanin than others, does not make you immune skin cancer. It typically shows up at a more advanced stage and more aggressive when finally diagnosed.
Melanated skin is also more prone to hyperpigmentation (an excess in the production of melanin in the cells causing patches of dark spots on the skin). Sun exposure exasperates this condition, but sunscreen helps prevent this.
Consistency is key when using sunscreen! So here is a roundup of a few sunscreen brands that we recommend that aid in protecting your skin all year round. Check it out:
Black Girl Sunscreen: This sunscreen "fights against sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines. BGS protects your skin from sun rays without leaving behind a white cast and also doubles as a moisturizing lotion."
Beauty of Josen - Relief Sun: This organic sunscreen comes in a lightweight cream texture that absorbs quickly into skin without leaving a white cast. It's also fitted with broad-spectrum SPF 50+ PA++++ to fend off UVA and UVB rays.
Supergoop - Glowscreen SPF 40 Sunscreen with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide: This sunscreen provides your routine with a little extra oomph, by serving both as a tinted sunscreen that hydrates skin & primes for makeup with a radiant finish & broad spectrum SPF protection.
ColoreScience - Sunforgettable® Total Protection®Face Shield Flex SPF 50: A lightweight mineral sunscreen with tinted color coverage immediately evens skin tone for a flawless look.
Paula's Choice - 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50: This weightless, multi-active SPF is supercharged with 5% vitamin C, acetyl zingerone & algae-derived amino acids to protect, brighten & hydrat