Dear Black Girl: Run Towards The Sun
Dear Black Girl,
It is time to run towards the sun instead of away from it. To applaud the deepening of our shade as the magic that only our skin can so easily do, rather than a punishment from the sun, meant to be avoided.
Of course, those of us with darker skin tones have no need to lay out in the sun for hours on end in order to glow, but now is our time to embrace the brightness of the summer months. I, personally, can bloom a few shades darker within mere minutes of sun exposure — and I’m thankful that my upbringing groomed me not to think twice about it. But somewhere along the way, I learned that others of my shade didn’t share this sentiment.
I’m not trying to go outside and get black! Girl, get out of that sun or you’re gonna get too dark. I’m black enough already, I don’t need to be in the sun.
If you are melanin-rich, you’ve heard these things, and maybe you’ve even said these things. A wise proverb once said, “Let it go, let it go!” and we should all follow suit. Let’s release our fear of the sun instilled by euro-centric ideals.
Growing up as a brown skinned African American girl, I never thought too much about my skin color. I had friends lighter than me, I had friends darker than me, and I knew that my shade was pretty middle of the road, as far as black folks go. Most importantly, I looked like my mother, who was the epitome of beauty for me. My grandmother and her siblings were a fair vanilla that I found beautiful as well, and my aunts and uncles ranged from toffee to chocolate, it was no big deal. But as adolescence approached, things began to change.
Light skinned girls were “in” and if you were Hispanic, there were extra bonus points. Growing up in the colorist South, being “mixed” was a badge of pride, leaving dark skinned girls with their own unique battle for self-esteem and acceptance. But I won’t hold The South responsible for solely perpetuating this narrative. It was in 2018 when a New York City Dominican man I was dating told me that I should feel proud that he was dating me since he “usually only dates women lighter than him.” That, of course, was our last date.
The colorist accounts could go on, and they are most often found within our own communities. This doesn’t just exist in communities of the African diaspora. We see this same problem mirrored in Asian communities, dark skinned Desi girls are constantly pushed out of the limelight, and it definitely plagues the Latinx community. As the liberation of black and brown people continues, we must also break free from the colonization of our minds that taught us that lighter skin is most beautiful. All shades under the sun should be celebrated from fair and freckled to dark and sultry. This summer, like every summer, I will continue to wax deeper and browner, and I will love every minute of it.
I invite you, too, to embrace your summer shade, and here are a few sunscreens that will help you get the job done! We all need SPF to protect us from sun damage, no matter our skin tone, and these sunscreens will help you do it without that frustrating white residue. So go ahead black girl, get a tan!
Black Girl Sunscreen
Of course, we couldn’t talk about sunscreen for dark skin without mentioning Black Girl Sunscreen. This product was made by a black woman with people of color in mind, so no chalky residue here. Fellas, don’t let the name fool you, this is for you too! Infused with jojoba oil and avocado, this sunscreen doubles as a moisturizer.
For us, by us? Yes, please!
Everyday Humans
Rosé S'il Vous Plait
The Everyday Humans Rosé S'il Vous Plait mineral sunscreen is SPF30 and gentle enough for sensitive skin. The debate is still on about chemical sunscreen and its safety for pregnant women, so this product is great for expecting and breastfeeding mamas. It’s also fragrance free, cruelty free, and vegan — all of the good sustainable things that we love. The light rose sent is a natural result of the rose extract and aloe vera juice in the formula.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen is one of the original no-mess, no-fuss, no-residue sunscreens. We love it for all of the ingredients that it doesn’t include, and it’s oil-free, scentless, and weightless. It works great as a makeup primer and it’s also beard-friendly, so feel free to smother it all over your boy friends that refuse to wear SPF.
Remember! SPF isn’t just for those days at the beach. This sunscreen is great for every single day that you’re exposed to sunlight.
Biossance
S QUALANE + ZINC SHEER MINERAL SUNSCREEN
This product might be quite the splurge, but when you see the work that they’re doing to keep our skin and our oceans healthy, it feels worth every penny. Made of squalane and zinc, you can trust that this mineral sunscreen is nontoxic, super hydrating and goes on completely invisible.
BONUS: If you love our planet and the animals in it, you’ll especially love Biossance for deriving squalane from sugarcane, a product normally derived from sharks.
Glossier Invisble Shield
We’re huge fans of Glossier, and this Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen with SPF 35 is another home run. It’s non-greasy, non-whitening formula plays well with makeup and it’s POC friendly, of course. Reviewers rave that it’s super lightweight and doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a sunscreen at all.
Has this story made you reflect on your own relationship with the sun? Tell us how you’re feeling in the comments below! We’re also down for recommendations. Share a residue-free sunscreen that you’ve loved on your skin.
With Style + Soul,