Lets talk sunscreen for darker skin tones (NC35 + )

[sagehen]

The Shisedo sunscreen mentioned upthread is great for oily skin. I use the face and body sunscreen lotion in SPF 60, am about NC50-ish and I get no white cast, oil control and in a pinch it serves as primer.

Also, Fallene-Cotz makes a good SPF30 for the face. It is all physical, silicone-based and tinted brown to avoid white cast, and keeps my face matte for a couple of hours.

 

[MissTT]

Where do you get the Fallene-Cotz? I like the idea of a brown tint, but the silicone scares me as that can often break me out. The Shisedo is very white on me. I had to throw it out.

 

[sagehen]

^^I get the Cotz from Ulta or drugstore.com. Did you buy ythe Shisedo lotion (bottle with flip top) or cream (tube)? Also, did you rub it in? I am darker than you and I have never had this problem. It does not even cause flashback in photos.

 

[MissTT]

I purchased the flip top bottle a few years back. It was awful. Especially if I used it on the rest of my body. I looked like a ghost when I tried to use it on my arms and legs. Yes I always rub in my sunscreen otherwise it would just sit on top of my skin in all its white glory. When it gets unbearably hot, like over 95F, I start to sweat and then the sunscreens tend to streak on my skin. Even water resistant ones. Perhaps a brown sunscreen wouldn't make me look insane. I had a very embarrassing day last summer due to 110F humid temps and sweat. I had white sunscreen running down my neck and arms.

 

[sagehen]

Damn you are fast!^^ OK, I have this problem too. Get yourself some face powder with antiperspirant (they are relatively cheap - I think Mehron makes one and so does Ben Nye). That is the physical sunscreen (titanium dioxide) in the Shisedo running. If you can keep your face from sweating you can keep this from happening. The Shisedo is very water resistant, so I don't think I have any other suggestions except to keep your face from sweating. I accept that this happens on the body sometimes and just keep a paper napkin handy to sop it up but I know how irritating it is to have it happen to a full face.

Your other option is to switch to only chemical sunscreen. La Roche Posay makes a good one for oily skin (I am at work so I can't post links, but drugstore.com and walgreens sell their sunscreen fluid for face - they also make one for oily skin which you might have to order from someplace like skincarerx.com - not affiliated)

 

[MissTT]

La Roche Posay has definitely been on my radar. Thanks for the recommendation. As far as the running, it was just an excessively hot day and there was no way to keep from sweating while being outside. The streaking was humiliating though as there were lots of people around. My entire body turned white. (Actually, my face wasn't that bad. LOL. Probably b/c of face powder like you said.)

 

[Sophiaaa]

One of my college friends has darker skin like you and she used lots of product in order to make her skin brighter/ healthy. At the end of the day nothing works well. Now she has been using a moisturizer. I forget the name of this particular brand she has been using now but she told her moisturizer contains vitamin C where SPF is 30. I think you need to consult with specialist before trying this since this type of moisturizers might have marketed for those having darker skin.

 

[sagehen]

One of my college friends has darker skin like you and she used lots of product in order to make her skin brighter/ healthy. At the end of the day nothing works well. Now she has been using a moisturizer. I forget the name of this particular brand she has been using now but she told her moisturizer contains vitamin C where SPF is 30. I think you need to consult with specialist before trying this since this type of moisturizers might have marketed for those having darker skin.

There are plenty of moisturizers on the market with vitamin C and SPF, and marketed toward people of color. The problem for darker skin is finding one that does not cause flashback in photos or alter the shade of one's foundation. The amount of vitamin C in those types of moisturizers is often too small to make a difference, and vitamin C is notoriously unstable in those formulations. A prescription is not necessary.

 

[MissTT]

My holy grail sunscreen for face would be SPF 30+, mattifying, and non-ghost face making. I don't even care if it makes me white in a camera flash. As long as I'm not white in person!

 

[sagehen]

My holy grail sunscreen for face would be SPF 30+, mattifying, and non-ghost face making. I don't even care if it makes me white in a camera flash. As long as I'm not white in person!

Have you considered some of the other asian sunsreens that would have to be ordered online? I meant to mention this yesterday.

 

[MissTT]

I have not b/c I'm so tired of the trial and error with sunscreens. I'd assume the Asian brands would be whitening, too. I'm all ears if you have recommendations.

For me, finding a sunblock has been worse than finding an appropriate foundation. That's saying a lot. All the ones that say they won't turn white do turn white on me. That's why I'd prefer word of mouth over advertising.