With heat waves hitting parts of the West and South this summer, it is important to make sure your melanated skin is protected. The company, Black Girl Sunscreen, offers protection from the sun using ingredients made with people of color in mind. Don’t let the name confuse you though, the company’s products can also be used for men!
What began as a quest to find sunscreen without leaving behind a white residue soon developed into a profitable business venture for Shontay Lundy. Lundy launched Black Girl Sunscreen in 2016 with its first product, a 30 SPF lotion formulated for women of color. The company differentiates itself from others on the market by providing products that dry completely clear, ultimately eliminating the dreaded white shadow.
Despite common misconceptions, Black and Brown people are encouraged to use sunscreen. According to the Black Girl Sunscreen website, “everyone should wear sunscreen to protect them against UVA & UVB rays. Protection against these rays helps prevent skin cancers, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles and sunburns.” The protection offered by sunscreen is important as research suggests the estimated five-year melanoma survival rate for Black patients is only 70 percent compared to 94 percent for white patients (Skin Cancer Foundation).
Black Girl Sunscreen offers coverage without sacrificing natural ingredients. The company promotes itself as a paraben, oxybenzone and octinoxate-free product. Customers can expect ingredients such as avocado oil, jojoba oil, cacao oil, sunflower oil and carrot juice. The natural ingredients are able to moisturize and soothe the skin while preventing skin irritation from sunburn. Adults and children can benefit from the sunscreen, which led the company to expand its product line and develop a sunscreen for kids. The everyday SPF 50 moisturizing sunscreen lotion is water-resistant for 80 minutes, hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. It is available in a traditional cream as well as a spray-on version.
Additional products offered include a hybrid sunscreen with an SPF of 50, a matte sunscreen with an SPF of 45, an SPF lip gloss, apparel and accessories. Products range in pricing from $9.99 to $39.99 for bundled items. Black Girl Sunscreen can be found on the BLK + GRN marketplace as well as in major retailers, including Target, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens and Walmart. The company has no plans of slowing down as Black Girl Sunscreen products can be found in more than 10,000 and Lundy told CNN she hopes “to keep growing.”
