There is a belief that dark-skinned people are naturally protected from sun damage and for that reason, they do not usually develop skin cancer or need to use sunscreen.

But none of that is true.

In this article, we're going to debunk some harmful health myths to explain why you should always wear sunscreen, even if you have darker skin tones.

The first thing to say is that dark-skinned people Brown-skinned, Hispanic, and Black people have higher amounts of melanin, a pigment whose main function is to absorb and disperse ultraviolet radiation to prevent it from reaching and damaging cellular DNA.

In that sense, it's true that melanin can act as a natural sunscreen. However, despite its benefits it's linked to slower aging and a lower chance of developing skin cancer it's not an impenetrable shield.

In fact, its Sun Protection Factor (SPF), calculated at 13.4, is rather low. That's why experts insist that skipping sunscreen isn't an option.

“Although darker skin tones offer some inherent sun protection, everyone should use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher,” emphasizes the American Academy of Dermatology (ADD).

All skin is vulnerable

Prolonged, unprecautionary sun exposure always has consequences for everyone, regardless of ethnicity.

“Even for those with darker skin tones, the sun can cause significant damage, such as hyperpigmentation (dark spots), which are a major cosmetic concern and that melanin alone cannot effectively prevent,” emphasizes the Skin Cancer Foundation.

“People of color should wear sunscreen every day to protect their skin from sunburn and from the most common skin cancers that are on the rise, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma,” highlights a publication from the Cleveland Clinic.

Skin Cancer: Less Common but More Aggressive

Although skin cancer is significantly less frequent in dark-skinned people the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2025, the diagnosis rate for melanoma (the most serious type of skin cancer) in Black men is 0.8 per 100,000, and in Black women 1.1 per 100,000, in contrast to much higher figures in white people the mortality rate is notably higher.

According to data from the Skin Cancer Foundation, the five-year survival rate for Black patients with melanoma is 70%, while for white patients it is 94%.

This higher mortality is related to late detection due to multiple factors such as the atypical location of the lesions. In dark-skinned people, Skin cancer often appears in uncommon areas like nails, hands, and feet. Evidence even suggests that melanomas detected in dark-skinned people are much more aggressive.

"For people of color, skin cancer tends to be diagnosed at later stages, when it is more difficult to treat. This is due in part to the mistaken belief that dark-skinned people don't need sun protection or can't get skin cancer," notes the American Academy of Dermatology.

What is the best sunscreen for dark skin?

When choosing a sunscreen for dark skin, it is important to consider its effectiveness and aesthetic finish. Below are some aspects that specialists recommend taking into account,