The first time I went to the beach in Oahu, I thought applying sunscreen once would be enough for a whole day of swimming; I quickly noticed that the sun hits differently on the islands. For the first time in my life, I got sunburned. I got so sunburned that my skin turned red and was peeling off for two weeks straight. I have a darker skin tone, so my skin has never been sensitive to the sun. I just never bothered to apply or reapply sunscreen, but ever since moving to Oahu I have quickly learned my lesson. After extensive research, I have learned the importance of wearing sunscreen.
I learned that wearing sunscreen is not just for days where you will be exposed to the sun all day. Wearing sunscreen is an everyday essential because our skin is exposed to UV rays all the time (even on cloudy days!). Also, wearing sunscreen every day can lower the risk of skin cancer. It’s very easy to forget the damage the UV rays can do to our skin because it is not visible to us. When I learned that sunscreen prevents premature aging of the skin and helps maintain an even skin tone, I realized that having darker skin does not mean I am immune to the damage of the UV rays. Buying sunscreen can get expensive, so I have created a list of affordable sunscreen I love and use every day!
Favorite Face Sunscreen: PURITO
There are 3 types of Purito Sunscreen (which are all great!) but my favorite is the PURITO Centella Green Level Unscented SPF50+ . This sunscreen is perfect for sensitive skin and does not leave a white cast, which is ideal for darker complexions. This sunscreen is so lightweight that it can also be used under makeup. I prefer my PURITO sunscreen unscented, but there are other options from PURITO that have nice, subtle scents…
Favorite Non-Greasy Sunscreen: Neutrogena Hydro Boost SPF 30-50
Not only does this sunscreen smell amazing, but it also applies so smoothly without leaving a white cast. This sunscreen reminds me of lotion because it is lightweight and non-sticky. I use this sunscreen every day and apply it all over my body in the morning just like lotion.
Favorite Outdoor Sunscreen: Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 50-70
When I know that I’ll be getting roasted by the sun and enjoying the great outdoors, I use a higher SPF sunscreen. I highly recommend this sunscreen because it protects your skin so well. It does leave a white cast (which is not ideal for darker complexions, but it gets the job done). If you are in the water it should not be that much of an issue as long as you reapply every 80 minutes.
The bottom line is that you are doing yourself a favor by wearing sunscreen every day. Regardless if you are going to be inside or outside, when it comes to protecting your skin, it is better to be safe than sorry. I encourage you to try the sunscreens I recommended, or do your own research on what sunscreens work best with your skin type!