The sun is out, temperatures are rising, and the urge to be outside enjoying God’s beautiful creation is so real! But before we step out into those warm rays, we need to talk about protecting our skin.
As melanated women, many of us grew up hearing the myth that “black don’t crack” or that our natural melanin is all the protection we need. I’ve learned the hard way that using a daily sunscreen is absolutely essential to protect our skin and prevent hyperpigmentation.
But let’s be honest: finding a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave us looking like a ghost is a never-ending struggle. Add in acne-prone skin like mine, and finding a formula that is fully “acne-safe” becomes a non-negotiable battle.
After trying everything from tinted liquids to powdered formulas, I finally invested some time into the Colorescience product line. I’ve been testing them daily since March, and I’m breaking down the honest truth on three products I tried so you don’t have to waste your coins.
1. Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
- Cost: $48
Okay, this one is a winner! This lightweight formula checks off every single requirement on my list. It is a 100% mineral sunscreen formulated with 10% zinc oxide. It blends into my skin very well, doesn’t feel greasy or heavy, and—most importantly—leaves absolutely zero white cast on my face. The ingredients are completely acne-safe so I don’t have to stress about breakouts.
Now, some skincare experts recommend 20% zinc oxide for ultimate mineral protection. However, in my experience, a 20% concentration almost always guarantees a heavy white cast on darker skin tones. Dropping down to 10% was a risk, but it has kept me beautifully protected and completely ash-free for the last three months!
2. Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 (in “Rich Deep”)
- Cost: $58
I had high hopes for this tinted option. I wanted to see if it would provide a bit of hydration and even out my skin tone. It features 12% zinc oxide, strong SPF 50 protection, and acne-safe ingredients.
I bought their darkest shade, Rich Deep, but unfortunately, it missed the mark. Instead of blending into my skin, it sat on top of my face and left me looking completely gray. For my deeper melanated beauties, this one is definitely a pass for the summer.
3. Sunforgettable Total Protection Sheer Matte SPF 30 Sunscreen Brush
- Cost: $59
Aside from trying to avoid a white cast, my other biggest struggle with using sunscreen is having to reapply every two hours, especially when I’m wearing concealer or foundation. I bought this brush-on powder hoping it would give me an easy touch-up throughout the day.
While I love the matte finish, the actual design of the applicator has been a struggle. Even after watching the tutorial video on the Colorescience website, it’s incredibly hard to tell if any powder is actually dispensing onto the bristles. For the price tag, I need to know for sure that my skin is getting protected!
The Colorescience Verdict: Overall, I am incredibly satisfied with the No-Show Mineral Sunscreen and will absolutely keep it in my daily rotation. Taking care of our skin is a form of stewardship, so I don’t mind investing in quality products—but these prices do add up. I highly recommend waiting for sales, like I did, to purchase these products.
Honorable Mentions
If you are looking to explore other brands, here are two sunscreens I have used in the past that are definitely worth a try:
EltaMD UV Daily Deep Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
I absolutely loved how beautifully the “Deep” tint blended into my rich skin tone. It contains 9% zinc oxide and offers great everyday protection. The only reason I stopped using it is because the formula wasn’t 100% acne-safe for my specific skin type. But if you aren’t prone to breakouts, this is a great option. Budget tip: EltaMD occasionally runs a “We Made Too Many” clearing sale on their site where you can snag this exact Deep Tint for 50% off ($21.50 instead of $43).
innisfree Daily UV Mineral Korean Sunscreen SPF 45
This was my go-to sunscreen for a long time! It’s a budget-friendly mineral option that features hyaluronic acid for an extra boost of hydration. It does take a little bit of extra time and elbow grease to fully rub into the skin compared to Colorescience, but it is entirely acne-safe. At just $22 at Sephora, it’s an incredibly affordable staple for you to try.
What Do You Use?
Although I’ve settled on ColorScience after much research, I’m always open to trying something new and/or better.
What mineral sunscreen do you swear by? Drop your favorites in the comments below so we can keep our melanin popping and protected all summer and all year long!
