I’ve set my watch a full hour earlier.
It’s only mid-May, but Texas is already “hotter than a biscuit.” To get my morning miles in before the sun become unbearable, I need to get up and get going.
When I feel the vibration on my wrist, matched with the gentle sound of my alarm, I grudgingly pop out of bed and get started. If I lay there for a second, an instant, I know I’ll immediately fall back to sleep, miss my workout, making the whole day weird.
So, like a robot, I do the morning ritual I’ve been doing for 40 years; going to the bathroom, brushing my teeth, splashing my face with warm water, putting on my exercise clothes and my trainers. I then go into the kitchen, take my vitamins with a long drink of water, pick up my sunglasses, and house key, sling on my crossbody, check to make certain I have my phone and lip balm and I’m out the door.
You’ll notice in all of this preparation; I’ve not mentioned a sunscreen.
And that’s because for the first time in my life, this is the first summer I’ll use a sunscreen routinely.
I’m probably pretty late to the sunscreen party, but I never though I needed one. Actually, it’s not at all unusual for African-Americans to doubt or dismiss the need for a sunscreen. We believe we are divinely protected by our melanin. And even if we were not convinced of that, finding a sunscreen lotion formulated for us was extremely frustrating.
However, I’ve come to believe I’ve read enough about black people and sun damage (including hyperpigmentation caused my excessive sun exposure) to convince me it’s time to add slathering sunscreen on during my morning ritual.
So, with that said I went looking for a sunscreen that would work with my coconut-colored skin.
And boy, how the market has changed!
So many choices are now available for people of color, including some formulated by black-owned brands. I’ll link some information at the bottom of this post.
Personally, my shopping was made easy by getting a really positive recommendation from a good girlfriend. Because of her, I’ve settled on a brand from Bolden.
This Bolden brightening moisturizer sinks into the skin like a dream. With an SPF 30 it provides broad spectrum protection with the addition of Vitamin C (that’s the brightening part.) And the best part; not only is it a black-owned brand, but it also leaves no white residue. Love that for us!
So, there you have it. I’m now officially a sunscreen girl.
Let me leave you with just a few articles, YT videos, and posts you might find interesting.
The Style and Beauty doctor – great information on skincare in general, but she really takes a deep dive into our skin and sunscreens. BTW, she's not really a medical doctor!
Dr. Alexis Stephens – a real doctor! Great content. I think in this particular blog she highlights two different sunscreens.
The New York Times article on “Should Black People wear Sunscreen?” This is really worth a read. Plus, if you’re a newbie to sunscreen like I am, you’ll get a little background on the different types of products.
Hope these links help you out.
And of course, we’re interested. Tell us, what’s your history with sunscreens?
Stay well and enjoy the summer sun. . . responsibly.
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