Do people with darker skin tones actually need sunscreen? That’s the question I posed to the team behind Black Girl Sunscreen (BGS).
Their story began with a need: for a sunscreen brand that caters specifically to women of color. We’ve all experienced, or perhaps participated in, trying to protect our complexions from the harsh sun. Visions of aunties carrying large, expensive umbrellas to the beach and other home remedies come to mind. Many of us have also dealt with the white residue left by some sunscreens and how it ruins makeup.
Shontay Lundy, founder of Black Girl Sunscreen, decided in 2016 to create a solution. BGS launched with a 30 SPF lotion formulated for women of color. Made with melanin-rich skin in mind, BGS dries completely clear and protects melanated skin without the white cast.
Today, BGS is sold online and on the shelves at Target and Ulta, and the global expansion of Black Girl Sunscreen has grown exponentially because it works.
Positive word-of-mouth is driving sales. The goal is to start a global conversation about sun safety to educate and protect melanin-rich skin worldwide. With all their products, BGS emphasizes that melanin-rich skin is susceptible to damage, and it’s in our power to protect it.
Here’s what the team at BGS told the Amsterdam News about sunscreen, the sun, and our skin.
AmNews: Why do people with darker skin tones need sunscreen?
BGS: We get sunburned, too! No matter the season, there’s always a reason to protect your skin. SPF is a crucial step in skincare that should never be skipped. Reduce your risk of skin cancer, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles by applying Black Girl Sunscreen’s broad-spectrum SPF as part of your daily routine.
AmNews: How should we apply it? Does it fit into a traditional makeup routine?
BGS: Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, immediately after towel-drying, and at least every two hours. Sunscreen should go on before starting your typical makeup routine and can even serve as a moisturizer. BGS’s Make it Matte is a favorite for those who wear full-face makeup because it serves as an amazing protector from the sun and a makeup primer.
AmNews: Do we only need it in the summer?
BGS: Sunscreen should be worn daily, all year long.
AmNews: What beauty products does CEO Shontay Lundy love for our skin?
BGS: BGS SPF 30 is Shontay’s favorite skincare product. When she isn’t wearing makeup for professional shoots, etc., she only uses the SPF 30 because it serves multiple purposes, including moisturizing, sun protection, acne prevention, and helping to fight hyperpigmentation.
For more info, visit www.blackgirlsunscreen.com.