Huge shout out to Matahari for inspiring me to finally finish this post: https://whatsinmyjar.com/skin-concerns/caring-for-melanated-skin. It is a small step to offer more resources relevant for skin tones of light olive and darker (which is the majority of people in the world!). I hope we can grow our knowledge and the resources on WIMJ specific to darker skin tones together - please suggest the next topics for us to research and cover, and, of course, share your tips, ideas, sources, and experiences.
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How about starting by addressing the need for EVERYONE to use sunscreen, or sunscreens (plural), because everyone is affected by sun exposure and sun damage? But more melanated skin requires a different sunscreen formulation. Not only a sunscreen that won’t look ridiculous on a brown or black face (or even on many white skins), but one whose ingredients will not irritate brown skin’s LARGER MELANOCYTES and ignite hyperpigmentation/melasma. In my own ongoing search for the best sunscreens for me, I’ve learned that most (or all??) CHEMICAL sunscreens irritate brown skin’s melanocytes. Meanwhile, too many (or most?) MINERAL sunscreens leave some degree of hazy “white cast.” (This problem is especially bad in flash photographs!! 😨) ~ But mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are the safest and most effective for skin of colour. What to do? I’m actually looking for HYBRID SUNSCREENS. Hybrid sunscreens have both mineral and chemical ingredients. I’m also looking for BROAD SPECTRUM sunscreens with protection from “blue light,” both from the sun AND from electronic devices: cellphone, tablet and laptop computers. I guess also TV screens, also? I’ll leave it there, for now. Thanks, everyone! 🙋🏽♀️
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Thanks very much, Maria. ~ “Matahari”