There's Finally A Sheer Sunscreen With Healthy Ingredients For WOC

The sun is out and our melanin is poppin' ... But do you have a sunscreen on tho?

Unfortunately there's a myth that black people don't need sun screen. Although the melanin in our skin gives us some protection, the environment has changed and it is affecting the efficiency of our (brown folks) natural sun block. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with dark skin may not sunburn as easily as those with fair skin, but they are still at risk of skin damage from excessive sun exposure.

Well we interviewed this black owned conscious sunblock brands who's products are clearly for melaninated folks to protect against UV radiation. Check out our interview with Shontay Lundy of BLACK GIRL SUNSCREEN:

When and why did you start Black Girl Sunscreen?

I created Black Girl Sunscreen because I am my own customer. I personally experienced the
need for a product that offered broad-spectrum sun protection and blended beautifully with
dark skin tones—instead of leaving a white residue. Underwhelmed by the lack of products
on the market for people of color, I knew there had to be something that could work. And I
knew that if I could figure out how to make it happen, it’d be a game changer. With this
motivation, I started looking for a solution and discovered that there were natural ingredients
that could boost melanin production, offer proper UV protection and be fully absorbed by our
skin; hence the evolution of Black Girl Sunscreen.

What are your core ingredients? Where are they sourced?

Black Girl Sunscreen is a weightless, ultra-sheer, fragrance free SPF 30 sunscreen
moisturizer that uses natural ingredients including carrot seed oil, jojoba oil, almond oil,
avocado and shea butter to boost melanin and rub in completely.

How is your sunscreen specifically geared towards black women?

Black Girl Sunscreen has been developed specifically for women of color using natural
ingredients that moisturize the skin without leaving a white residue or as we know it, being
ashy. BGS should be used as an everyday facial moisturizer as it addresses protection
against UVA/UVB rays, damage to the skin and premature aging.

Why is sunscreen especially important for WOC/POC?

The number one mistake women of color make is simply not using sunscreen. 59% of
women know they should wear sunscreen regularly yet only 30% do. However, people of
color are at risk of skin damage despite the presence of melanin. Research shows African
Americans have the highest rate of mortality in the U.S. population after receiving a
melanoma diagnosis. These statistics can’t be ignored.

Why is it so important for your products to be Oxybenzone and paraben free?

Women want to look good, feel good and know that they are using safe products. The health of people and the environment is of utmost importance to us. Today we live in a health- conscious society and we want Black Girl Sunscreen to exemplify that in every way.

Parabens are the most widely used preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products
such as soap, moisturizers, shaving cream and underarm deodorant that are used to extend shelf life. Oxybenzone is an active ingredient commonly used in making sunscreens because
it provides broad spectrum ultra-violet coverage. However, it is a toxic chemical that can
cause hormonal disruption, reproductive issues and allergic skin reactions. Further,
oxybenzone has been directly linked to the environmental contamination in the form of coral
bleaching and die-offs which contribute to the declining health of coral reefs.
Black Girl Sunscreen proudly provides broad spectrum protection using alternative
ingredients that are safe for people and the environment by being paraben-free and
oxybenzone-free.

What is your greatest inspiration?

My greatest inspiration is the overwhelming support that Black Girl Sunscreen has received
from the community. So much so that my goal is to create awareness globally around people
of color protecting their skin from the sun. Black Girl Sunscreen will create a legacy that
will influence future generations to be skin conscious and dispel stereotypes related to people
of color and sun protection.