We tested hundreds of products to find the 12 best sunscreens for dark skin tones

Our pick for the best sunscreen for dark skin tones is one of my favorites and comes from cult-favorite TikTok-loved Kosas. It's absolutely worth the hype, even though it's one of the brand's newest launches. While it protects skin with a sun protection factor of 40, it also strengthens it with peptides and ceramides—ingredients that can help smooth fine lines while treating sensitive skin. "This creamy formula goes on very well and works great as a makeup base," says Dr. Mian. "It brightens the complexion." The non-comedogenic formula has even been tested to be hypoallergenic. 

The more you're out in the sun, you can go through sunscreen really fast—especially if you're frequently applying it head-to-toe. That's where you'll want to choose a more affordable option like Sun Bum's, which you can apply on your face and body. Available in three-, six-, or eight-ounce sizes, you won't pay more than $19 for the largest size of this. The formula contains antioxidant-rich vitamin E to nourish skin, hydrating it while it protects you. It also carries a pleasant banana scent, though it contains fragrance, which may make it unsuitable for sensitive skin types. 

I've been using this sunscreen since I was a kid, and it's really stood the test of time for me. Even after testing hundreds of sunscreens throughout the years, I love going to this for when I want a non-greasy option on my morning runs in the humid New York City summers.

Fight pigmentation, excess oil, and large pores with Fenty Skin's Hyra Vizor. Its innovative formula features niacinamide and aloe to soothe and brighten the complexion while protecting it from sun damage. The vegan, cruelty-free formula is beloved by people who are looking to reduce their waste, as it comes in refillable packaging. This is a great, no-frills option for any skin type. It's one of the lightest formulas I've ever tried. Even though it's not a gel, it almost feels and looks like one once I put it on my face because that's just how sheer it is. I love the light melon scent, too, although it may not be best for highly sensitive skin types. 

Anyone with dark skin knows the horror of slathering sunscreen all over their skin only to realize it's left an awkwardly sticky, purple finish on their skin that even water can't remove. Trust that this won't happen with this option. On top of not leaving a cast, it also has a glowy effect, while niacinamide gradually brightens skin, too. A big bonus is that this has the same signature scent that Sol de Janeiro's Bum Bum Cream also has. It's just as hydrating, too—though that may be a con for more oily skin types. "This gives such a radiant glow," says Dr. Mian. "I love it for my decolletage and legs."

Yes, the Biossance sunscreen costs about $32 for a small tube, but it's worth it if you have sensitive skin. It contains a variety of nourishing ingredients, like squalane and ginger extract, and it protects the skin from external aggressors while also fortifying the skin's barrier. Cranberry seed oil also helps to smooth fine lines and soothe inflammation.

This admittedly left a tiny bit of a white cast on my skin when I first applied it, but that went away after about 15 minutes. It wore really nicely under makeup. I also tested it in a variety of places, from a humid Miami beach to the California desert. It kept my dry skin hydrated without looking greasy in both places, and I never felt it pill even when I got super sweaty.

While sunscreens are notorious for featuring a long list of ingredients with unrecognizable words, Kopari's Sun Shield Body Glow contains avocado oil, coconut oil, hibiscus, and more. Even the subtle rose gold shimmer comes from ethically sourced mica. It gives skin a luminous effect, so you'll love using this to get that ultra-glowy look that you see celebrities have on red carpets. The best part is that it has a light gel texture despite being packed with so many hydrating oils.

This is always my go-to before I go on a date because it makes my skin look so glowy and has an incredible coconut scent that I love. While most sunscreens keep my skin hydrated and plump for maybe an hour or so after application, I genuinely feel my legs are soft to the touch for several hours after I wear this. (I have the compliments to prove it!)

Dark skin is rich in beautiful pigment; a clear gel sunscreen like this can ensure your tone shines through. With a velvety texture and matte finish, this sunscreen also contains ingredients that will manage oil production while helping to prevent acne since oily skin types can sometimes be prone to acne. Aloe soothes redness while helping to prevent breakouts.

While I do have traditionally dry skin, I often visit family in humid places like India, where my sister lives right by the equator on a really humid island. I used this sunscreen during the particularly wet monsoon season and had to go to fancy events with makeup on. This was one of the few products that I could trust to mattify my skin under makeup without my looking like a greaseball at the end of the night—even after dancing outside for hours!

Not all skin is just dry or oily, and your skin type may change with the seasons or climate you're in. It may even change as you age. This means that not every sunscreen can cater to just one skin type, and combination skin can be hard to find a good match for. The key is to find a product with ingredients that lock moisture into the skin without creating too much excess. That's where this Indie Lee pick comes in. It contains clarifying rosemary leaf extract to clarify skin while niacinamide manages oil production while brightening skin and helping to reduce the appearance of pores. It even features a light golden tint to ensure the mineral ingredients won't leave a white cast on the skin.

Since it launched, this has been one of my favorite sunscreens. I layer it on top of a more nourishing moisturizer in the winter when I have really dry skin, and then I wear it alone when it starts to get really hot in the summer. I love that it gives my skin a no-makeup makeup look, especially since I have some hyperpigmentation and large pores.

If there's one thing people with acne are worried about, it's using a product that will make them break out more. Whether you have persistent cystic acne or just sensitive skin, the First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen is here to mattify and blur skin while helping prevent further breakouts. "This is oil-free, non-comedogenic, and great for acne-prone skin and darker skin tones as it gives a warm tint to the skin even though it's a mineral sunscreen with zinc," says Dr. Mian. It is fragrance-free, making it a safe bet for sensitive skin. The light, sheer tint also helps to even out skin tone without pilling under makeup.

Milk Makeup is probably one of the most hyped brands on social media, and with good reason. People celebrate the brand for keeping inclusivity, earth-friendly ingredients, and cruelty-free formulas at the forefront of all their product launches. This skincare-makeup staple features squalane along with grape seed, avocado, mandarin, jojoba, and olive oils to give skin a smooth, plump appearance. Now you know how all those influencers get that glass skin look.

I love this tinted SPF so much that I wore it for my sister's wedding. I started wearing it during the pandemic as a low-makeup option that felt lightweight while still adding a light tint to my skin. However, it has a really buildable formula, so I was able to make it almost full-coverage. The satin finish looked really natural on my skin, and I was able to layer other makeup on top of it easily without looking cakey. I still use it as one of my staples when I'm wearing makeup, but I don't actually want to feel like I am.

Vacation Classic Lotion SPF 50 features a botanical-rich formula with ingredients to nourish dry skin. Some of those are aloe vera, banana extract, shea butter, and coconut oil. The formula is fortified by niacinamide and vitamin E to richly hydrate skin on a deeper level. 

I'm a sucker for products with a good scent. I like taking this on vacation with me because it's a good head-to-toe option. It's so hydrating on my dry skin, but it wears nicely on my face without making me look greasy. I also appreciate that this really does feel like it's truly water and sweat-resistant.

Sea lavender is one of the hidden gems in this radiance-enhancing formula. It helps to boost collagen levels in the skin, giving it a plump look while also helping to calm inflammation. Available in four shades and mini options, it also contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and cocoa peptides to nourish, brighten, and strengthen skin. Sunflower seed oil provides further nourishment, but this may be too heavy for oily skin types.

This has to be one of my favorite products of all time, and the fact that it contains SPF is just a happy bonus. I keep it in my gym bag because it provides my skin with hydration, sun protection, and a gorgeous natural glow, so I can easily go straight from the gym to brunch or any other plans I have afterwards.

Ingredients

When shopping for the best sunscreens for dark skin, Dr. Mian recommends picking chemical sunscreens that are absorbed into the skin and do not leave a white cast. If you choose a mineral formula, she recommends a tinted option to give pigment to the product. "These allow for easier camouflage into the skin," she says. "If you want a mineral sunscreen without a white cast, you can also look for nanoparticle zinc oxide." It's made with smaller particles of zinc to provide physical protection without the infamous white residue. However, formulas with nanoparticle zinc oxide often need to be applied more frequently.

SPF Level and Broad Spectrum Coverage

SPF is measured based on how long a sunscreen will protect you from getting a burn. Dr. Mian says that SPF 30 is 97% effective. "As you go up in SPF, the level of protection increases incrementally in percentage." She recommends an SPF of 30 with broad-spectrum coverage, as that will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. "For my melasma patients, I recommend adding iron oxide for protection against visible light, as well."

Consistency and color

Dr. Mian says that mineral formulas tend to be thicker and sit on top of the skin with their white cast, while chemical formulas have a thinner, more fast-absorbing consistency. "Nowadays, nanoparticle mineral sunscreens have made it possible for a physical sunscreen to also have that smooth, invisible texture," she adds. Those with oily or acne-prone skin tend to do better with thinner formulas, so to them she will recommend a chemical sunscreen. People with sensitive skin can get irritation from chemical sunscreens, so she would recommend a mineral formula to them. 

What type of sunscreen is best for dark skin?

While this answer will largely depend upon your skin type, chemical sunscreens tend to be best for dark skin. The exception would be if you have sensitive skin. If you do, choose a mineral formula without a white cast, like our best overall pick, the Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40. 

How much SPF does dark skin need?

"Firstly, people with darker skin sometimes think they don't need sunscreen," says Dr. Mian. That obviously isn't true. She recommends a sun protection factor of at least 30 to her patients, no matter what their skin tone is.