Everyone has a complicated relationship with SPF, right? Some formulas feel way too heavy and leave a white cast. Add skin tone in to the mix, and you’re unlocking a whole new level of complexity. The majority of facial SPFs can leave a ghostly white tint when applied to darker skin tones. However, I have searched high and low for the best SPFs for darker skin tones, and things are looking up. No more white casts; hello, gorgeous, gorgeous glowing skin.
Enter a new wave of SPFs that are lightweight, absorb like a dream into the skin and even have added skincare benefits. Best of all, they are all totally or near invisible. Since there is no getting out of using SPF daily, come rain or shine, the new generation of upgraded formulas make using SPF a lot easier for everyone regardless of skin tone. Despite common skincare misconception that darker skin tones don’t need sun protection, experts have said over and over that everyone, even those with the palest skin to those with the darkest of skin tones, benefit from using SPF every day. UVB and UVA rays affect everyone and ultimately result in skin damage as a result of exposure to sun, regardless of skin tone. If you’ve been searching for that perfect invisible SPF to conveniently slot into your skincare routine, look no further than our tried-and-tested SPFs for darker skin tones.
If you’re looking for the affordability factor, look no further, because Garnier has nailed it with this SPF at a purse-friendly £12. It’s super lightweight, so it absorbs so easily into the skin. Not only does it offer sun protection, but it also works on the dark spots caused by sun damage, and the addition of vitamin E and hyaluronic acid keep your skin hydrated. It’s by far one of the best near-invisible high-factor SPFs.
What’s better than a cool, refreshing glass of water on a hot summer’s day? This Korres offering is just that for your skin. It’s a clever two-phase SPF with a light, refreshing water texture formulated with a trio of hydrating super ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, cucumber extract and panthenol for cool, calm and hydrated skin. It works extra hard to protect against damaging sun rays. Literally just spritz it onto your skin, and you’re good to face the sun.
A clear SPF formula is typically hard to come by, but Supergoop! has done it. This is a totally clear, completely invisible SPF formula, with the added bonus of it being very reminiscent of a makeup primer. It leaves you with a super-smooth canvas for makeup while providing broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. I love it for makeup, and it’s the best SPF and primer in one.
Totally clear, this SPF leaves no white cast. Plus it comes in a handy stick/roll-on situation. It’s simple as rolling it onto your face, and you’re done. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and nourishing oils, it definitely packs a punch in terms of nourishing and hydrating the skin. It’s one I reach for when my skin is feeling on the drier side.
Always in my handbag, this SPF is completely invisible, leaves no white cast and applies beautifully on top of a full face of makeup. It’s for SPF top-ups while you’re on the go, and it’s so reliable that you won’t even need a mirror. Incredibly lightweight, it contains UV filter titanium dioxide and sunscreen zinc oxide, and the addition of peptides leaves skin feeling super soft, while rose water provides a dose of hydration.
I have incredibly sensitive skin and find that a lot of SPFs will cause my skin to react. However, the aloe vera in the Typology sunscreen is the perfect addition to soothe and moisturise the skin as well as offer sun protection. Don’t be put off by the opaque formula. I find that there is still no white cast; it just might take a little extra massaging into the skin. All the sun protection without the nasty reactions.
Beach days call for the big guns, and the Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Face & Body lotion does not disappoint. First, for the convenience of having to bring one SPF that works amazingly on both face and body. Second, the fact that it’s water- and sweat-resistant. It’s created with smart HeatForce and WetForce tech that make the SPF work harder when skin is exposed to sea or sweat. Third, despite the high factor level, it’s totally invisible on the skin.
The thing with SPF is that it needs constant reapplication; applying once doesn’t provide protection throughout the day. Which brings up the question, how do we top up our SPF throughout the day? This clever SPF by Kate Somerville comes in to save the day. Spray it on top of your makeup throughout the day for constant sun protection, to reduce shininess and to set your makeup.
Why have two products when one does the job perfectly? This is a daily moisturiser with SPF protection. It has a lightweight, noncomedogenic, fragrance-free and non-greasy formula that easily absorbs into the skin to offer sun protection against UVB and UVA rays while strengthening and repairing the skin barrier.
I’ll put my hands up—when my skin was going through an acne-prone phase, I stayed away from SPF. I found that it would irritate my skin further and cause my skin to break more, which was not what I was looking for. That was until I came across the Zitsticka SPF. The serum-like, noncomedogenic formula was created with acne-prone skin in mind. Formulated with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and tea tree, it works to protect skin while fighting off blemishes and UV-induced hyperpigmentation. Apply it like you would your typical SPF but without the fear of a heavy, pore-clogging formula that will cause your skin to breakout.
Okay, I am slightly obsessed with this skin tint with added SPF. It’s literally perfect. It leaves you the most gorgeous light, healthy coverage and a no-makeup makeup finish, all the while protecting your skin from the damaging sun rays. As someone with a darker skin tone, I find tinted SPFs hard to come by, but this is a dream. It has a large shade range, so there is a shade for everyone, and it is one of those products that you can easily apply with just your fingers.
This brand may be relatively new in town, but there is certainly a hype around the products and for good reason. This is hands down one of the best mineral SPFs available. Boasting a host of skincare properties, this is not your average SPF. It has added vitamin C and Dragosine plus peptides, which keep the skin feeling plumped, and it protects against infrared, visible and blue light.
