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Best Sunscreen Tips
Beauty blogger and influencer, Danielle Gray, has made it her mission to share the importance of daily sun safety with her followers. Danielle has traveled the globe as her own stylist, makeup artist, and videographer, attending events and learning about beauty brands. Too often, she says, sunscreen gets overlooked as part of everyday skincare—a factor she’s trying to change. “People of color are excluded from the sun care conversation,” says Danielle, “which leads to many misconceptions about our need for sunscreen and inadequate products for our skin tones.”
On social media, Danielle became a “sunscreen queen,” eager to get the word out about the importance of sunscreen for all skin tones. In her video series, Danielle debunks the myth that people of color don’t need sunscreen and dishes on her favorite sun care products for darker skin. “Our melanin does have a natural SPF, but for even the deepest of skin, that SPF is at most an 8-12,” Danielle explains. “That’s definitely not enough protection! People of color can burn, and we do get skin cancers. Moreover, sun exposure accelerates aging and can worsen hyperpigmentation.”
Danielle’s passion for educating her online audience about the importance of sun safety has happily paid off. In fact, a stranger recently told Danielle that her videos inspired them to wear sunscreen for the first time. “I went from being bullied to being thanked repeatedly for my sunscreen content,” Danielle says. “This makes me grin because wow, I’m getting recognized on my own turf, and I’m reaching someone who otherwise would not have given sunscreen a second thought.”
I went from being bullied to being thanked repeatedly for my sunscreen content, This makes me grin because wow, I’m getting recognized on my own turf, and I’m reaching someone who otherwise would not have given sunscreen a second thought.”
All of Danielle’s sunscreen advocacy has led to a great deal of testing various products. “I own more sunscreen than a normal person needs,” she says. “Right now, there has to be at least 30 of them between my home office and bathroom.” Among those 30 sunscreens are a few tried-and-true favorites, including La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Face & Body Melt In Sunscreen Milk SPF 60 (thanks to its rich texture) and Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray SPF 70—a water-resistant formula that comes in a convenient spray bottle.
“Mineral sunscreen isn’t always made with darker skin tones in mind, so I personally prefer to use chemical formulas,” says Danielle. “I am a fan of more people of color using sunscreen in general, so I have a series on my channel that reviews mineral sunscreens so that my audience knows which ones look best on our skin.” When looking for a tinted mineral sunscreen, Danielle turns to MURAD City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 / PA++++ because it doesn’t leave a white cast. It’s also fragrance-free and o!ers protection from free radicals.
Danielle’s bottom line is that sun safety is a form of self-care and needs to be a lifelong habit for maintaining healthy skin. “When choosing a sunscreen, what matters most is finding one that fits your budget and lifestyle so you’re able to use it consistently,” she explains. “Sunscreen is not something you do once and then pat yourself on the back. Sometimes you may not want to wear it or reapply, but I promise you’ll feel better for doing it!”
Shop Danielle’s Sunscreen Selections
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