sunscreen we can. I know “Black don’t crack,” but if you don’t wear sunscreen daily, then you’ll be aging like milk.
For all my skincare girlies, if you’re working on hyperpigmentation, wearing sunscreen needs to be embedded in your routine. Dermatologists recommend using an SPF of 30 or higher that provides broad spectrum coverage with reapplication every two hours, especially if you’re outdoors.
And yes, you can wear sunscreen and makeup! As much as I want us all to be outside having fun, I want us to be healthy and safe even more. Please wear your sunscreen, stay hydrated, and stay cool.
Closing
Whether you’re at the beach, on a hike, or reading under a tree, you need to wear sunscreen. Melanin, in all its beautiful shades and glory, is not a fair fight against overexposure to the sun.
There are so many different types of sunscreens, so find whichever one works best for you, pack a water bottle & fruit, and your favorite shorts, and live your best life!
Be on the lookout for more articles from “SPEAK UP!” interns. If you are or know of any Black college-aged and enrolled women interested in the health and wellness of Black students on HBCU campuses, please visit Save a Girl Save a World for more information.
Aravia Patterson, MPH is a 27-year-old SAGSAW/SPEAK Up! Intern and Ph.D. Student at the University of Louisville studying Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences.