Spot the Difference: Sun Spots vs Freckles

Sun spots and freckles may look similar, but they’re actually two entirely different things that are often mistaken for each other. So while they share characteristics, it’s important to understand the difference so that you can use the correct skincare and sun protection products for your skin type. In this post, we’ll be covering the key differences and offer some advice on how to protect your skin.

The Different Marks Caused by the Sun

Freckles and sunspots are both types of skin pigmentation, learn the difference here.

Freckles and sunspots are both types of skin pigmentation that are related to sun exposure. Here are the main differences to look out for.

What are Sunspots?

Sunspots are dark and flat spots on the skin that are usually caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays from the sun. They usually appear in areas that get the most sun exposure, such as on the face or hands. The primary cause of sunspots is due to an overproduction of melanin, and they are often associated with the aging process as they’re more common in older people. Sunspots are usually a little bigger than freckles and can have a range of colors, often ranging from light brown to black depending on how much melanin the skin is producing.

What are Freckles?

Freckles are caused by genetics and are often inherited from parents or grandparents. They can often be triggered by sun exposure, causing them to become darker or develop on areas of the body that are exposed to the sun. They’re usually small and round, and range from being a light brown to reddish-brown. Freckles appear in clusters on sun-exposed skin, and can develop in people of all ages.

The Key Differences in Sunspots vs Freckles

  • Cause
    • Sunspots are caused by sun exposure.
    • Freckles are caused by genetics and can be triggered by sun exposure.
  • Aging
    • Sunspots are more common in older people.
    • Freckles are not caused by aging and can appear on anyone regardless of their age.
  • Location
    • Both sunspots and freckles commonly appear in areas of the skin exposed to the sun’s UV rays. Common areas exposed to the sun include your hands, face, and neck.
  • Size
    • Sunspots tend to be larger in size. Generally ranging from 0.5 – 2.0cm.
    • Freckles are generally smaller in size. Generally smaller than 0.5cm.
  • Colour
    • Sunspots can range from light brown to black.
    • Freckles are lighter in color.

Prevention Strategies

Check your local UV Index daily to help you understand the level of sun protection & reapplication to use for that day.
  • Limit Sun Exposure – By limiting your sun exposure, there’s a lower chance that you’ll trigger freckles and develop sunspots. When outside, make sure to cover your body with clothing or an umbrella to limit sun exposure.
  • Check Your Daily UV Index – A UV index is a measure of how strong the sun’s UV rays are at a particular time and place. Weather websites and apps can show the day’s UV index.
    • 0 to 2 indicates complete safety even without sun protection.
    • 3 to 7 requires moderate protection. This includes clothes, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
    • 8 to 11+ indicates that you should try to avoid the outdoors when possible and seek shade whenever possible.
  • Invest in Quality Sun ProtectionQuality sun protection includes daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30. You should also consider wearing quality clothes, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses to protect your skin from exposure to UV rays.
  • Reapply Sunscreen Often – As a standard rule, try to reapply your sunscreen every two hours if you are outdoors to maintain adequate protection.

Amp Up Your Sun Protection with Black Girl Sunscreen

Knowing how much sunscreen is enough to use is just one aspect of protecting your bare skin and exposed areas of the face. Choosing a high-quality sunscreen that does not harm your skin, like Black Girl Sunscreen, will keep your face looking healthy and young.

  • Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing SPF 30 – Filled with ingredients that will protect your skin from the sun, our SPF 30 doubles as a moisturizing lotion that dries completely clear. Making it perfect to use before any outdoor activity or as a primer under your favorite makeup products.
  • Black Girl Sunscreen Make it Matte™ SPF 45 – Black Girl Sunscreen’s lightweight, gel formula protects against sun damage leaving no white residue and a mattifying finish for oily skin. Make it Matte is a broad-spectrum SPF 45 infused with ingredients such as aloe, squalene, and shea butter that help moisturize, soothe and heal your skin.
  • *Bonus* Make It Pop™ Sun Gloss – A revolutionary sun gloss for protected, glossy, and poppin’ lips. Formulated with Broad Spectrum SPF 50, hyaluronic acid, tripeptides, and jojoba. This sun gloss will make you feel good and look good while protecting your lips from the sun.

What’s more, incorporating sunscreen application into your daily skincare routine will boost the benefits further. Regular sunscreen use is an important step that provides the needed level of protection for both your face and body.

The Importance Of Broad Spectrum Sunscreen

Did you know that not all sunscreens are the same? While most sunscreens are designed to protect the skin from sun damage, only broad spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays. 

Learning about the ingredients in your sun protection can help you make the right choices for your skin. Read more about the importance of broad spectrum sunscreen and give your skin full protection from the sun.

Broad Spectrum Protects From UVA & UVB Rays

So what do we mean when we say ‘broad spectrum sunscreen?’ Put simply, broad spectrum sunscreen protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, providing better protection from different elements of sun damage. 

UVA rays enter the middle layer of your skin, helping to cause signs of aging over time. Premature wrinkles are one of the first signs of damage from UVA rays.

UVB rays can damage the outer layer of your skin and are responsible for causing the majority of skin cancers, particularly melanomas.

Using a broad spectrum SPF can help protect from both UVA and UVB rays, ensuring your skin is protected at a surface level, as well as deeper protection to help prevent long-term damage. Effective sunscreen isn’t just about the SPF numbers, it’s about the type of protection you put on your skin.

The Benefits of a Broad Spectrum Sunscreen

Used as part of daily sun protection routine, a broad spectrum sunscreen will help provide many benefits, including:

Prevents Early Signs of Aging

While everyone starts to age eventually, you can prevent premature aging or severe signs of aging by wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen. This will help protect against wrinkles, lines, sun spots, and hyperpigmentation, which can age your face prematurely leaving you looking older than you are.

Skin Cancer Prevention

It’s a common myth that black people don’t need to wear sunscreen – our skin is just as much at risk of skin cancer if we don’t protect it! Learn more about the risks of melanoma and how to protect your skin from developing skin cancer in the future. 

Impedes Sunburn

Sunburn is not only painful and uncomfortable, but it can also cause permanent damage. A broad spectrum sunscreen can provide you with enhanced protection, helping you enjoy the sun safely. Check out how much sunscreen you should be using to protect your skin.

Overall Healthy Skin

Using sunscreen should be a key part of your daily skincare routine. Not only will it keep your skin protected from the sun, but a high-quality product will also help keep your skin healthy and hydrated. Remember to reapply regularly to keep your skin safe from the sun, and look for products with SPF built into them for extra protection. 

At Black Girl Sunscreen, we’re thrilled to provide a range of broad spectrum skincare products to help you enjoy the ultimate protection for your skin:

  • Make It Hybrid SPF 50 Sunscreen – Your must-have product to enjoy effective protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Helps hydrate and smooth your skin to boost skin health and appearance.
  • Make It Pop Lip Gloss – Enjoy glossy, poppin’ lips with SPF 50 to provide essential protection for one of your most important assets.
  • Make It Glow SPF 30 – A sunscreen spray takes the hard work out of applying your daily sun protection. With hydrating ingredients, it’ll leave you with a radiant glow while keeping your skin safe from damage. 

Explore our full range of sun protection products designed for both kids and black girls in mind and make sure your skin is fully protected from the risks of sun exposure

Most Commonly Missed Areas To Apply Your Sunscreen

When it comes to protecting your skin, sunscreen is essential. Sunscreen will help protect your skin from burning, but it will also help stop some of the signs of aging caused by UV rays. 

But sunscreen is only effective at preventing sun damage when it is applied correctly. Believe it or not, there are some commonly missed spots that many people neglect when applying sun protection, leaving these areas vulnerable to damage and skin cancer.

Think you’ve been applying sunscreen correctly? Take a look at our guide to the most commonly missed areas to apply your sunscreen so you can get it right every time.

What Happens When You Only Use Sunscreen on Your Face? 

If you want to know what happens when you only apply sunscreen to your face, then this viral tweet gives you a very clear idea:

When using sunscreen, it’s important to not only think about the short-term use to prevent burning or excessive tanning, but the long-term implications too. Over time, sun damage can cause premature aging, leaving visible damage as well as increasing your risk of skin cancer. So while the signs aren’t visible right now, as we age, the more likely we are to increase our risk of skin damage.

When using sunscreen, it’s important to not only think about the short-term use to prevent burning or excessive tanning, but the long-term implications too. Over time, sun damage can cause premature aging, leaving visible damage as well as increasing your risk of skin cancer. So while the signs aren’t visible right now, as we age, the more likely we are to increase our risk of skin damage. .

Commonly Missed Spots to Apply Sunscreen

While the tweet above shows where sunscreen was neglected, the neck is just one of several areas that are vulnerable to sun damage.

Your Neck & Chest

Your neck and chest are constantly exposed to the sun, especially during the summer as you shed the clothing layers. As you apply sunscreen to your face, make sure you also apply to these areas. A spray sunscreen works wonders, and you can check out our guide to how to use spray sunscreen to help you apply it properly.

Your Lips

Believe it or not, even your lips are susceptible to sun damage. Lips are extremely fragile because they do not have any sweat glands or sebaceous glands and only produce a small amount of melanin. The best way to protect them is to regularly use protection with SPF. Choose products like our Make It Pop Sungloss with added SPF to keep your lips kissable and protected at the same time.

Your Eyelids & Ears

Burning your eyelids and ears is no joke. The fragile tissue is the thinnest on the body, less than 1 millimeter thick. Eyelids are meant to protect our eyes, but the lids themselves need protection too. The damage over time can also make you look much older than you are. Remember to apply to these areas when protecting your face for full coverage.

Your Scalp

Your scalp is particularly vulnerable to UV rays, which is why you need to protect it. Cover your hair with a hat or a scarf to help you keep your scalp out of the sun.

Your Feet

Don’t forget to protect your feet with SPF, including the soles if you’re lying in the sun. Make It Glow SPF 30 is a must-have product to keep your feet soft and smooth and protected with broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Your Hands

Finally, women need to remember to protect their hands. Apply sunscreen regularly, (every two hours) including after washing, or use SPF gloves like our Sun Shield UPF 50 Gloves to keep your hands safe from the sun.

Now that you know more about the areas where people forget to wear sunscreen, you can take active steps to protect yourself from head to toe. Invest in a good everyday sunscreen like our Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 and enjoy both short and long-term protection for your skin.

Your Gel Manicure & UV Radiation: Protect Your Hands

Mostly everyone knows that they must protect their skin when they’re spending time in the sunshine. After all, ultraviolet radiation can cause havoc with your skin, leading to premature aging, burns, and even skin cancer.

Most of us wouldn’t subject our skin to UV radiation exposure at the beach. Yet many of us inadvertently expose ourselves to UV radiation in other areas of our lives. For example, did you know that you can expose yourself to ultraviolet radiation via your computer, phone, or at the salon?

Both your computer and smartphone emit UV light, which, over long periods, can damage your skin. And the salon? That’s even more dangerous since UV lamps emit high volumes of ultraviolet radiation in a short space of time.

With the popularity of gel polish manicures on the rise, we thought it’d be useful to put together a helpful guide on how to protect hands from UV lamps. This will ensure that you can receive treatment that makes your nails look like a million dollars without worrying about the damage you may be causing to your nails and hands. 

Are Gel Manicures Damaging Your Skin?

There’s nothing better than hitting the nail salon for your routine gel manicure. Yet while the short-term aesthetic— fantastic nails — are obvious, the long-term impacts of putting your hands under the UV lamp are less well-known among the general public.

The truth is that any exposure to UVA radiation should be cause for concern because it can penetrate deep into the skin and cause long-term damage, such as premature aging, wrinkles, and dark spots. In some cases, it can even lead to skin cancer. And as we know, the UV lamps nail technicians use emit a lot of UVA radiation. Even though most people only spend a minimal amount of time with their hands under the salon’s lamps, repeatedly having manicures and pedicures increases the risk your exposure, and in turn, the risks

Some of the most common side effects of gel manicures include:

Premature Aging

You visit the salon because you want your hands to look better, not worse. In the short term, the salon does its job. But on a longer-term basis, you’ll be at risk of premature aging around your hands. UV lamps are especially problematic for the hands because the skin in that part of your body is thinner than in other areas, which means it’s quicker to lose elasticity and show signs of aging. 

If you want to keep your hands looking youthful as you age, then be sure to apply plenty of sunscreen before you visit the salon. 

Weakened Nails

Strong and healthy nails are a sign of a strong and healthy body. One of the reasons why so many people moved to gel manicures is because of the damage posed by artificial nail applications. But the materials and equipment used in the procedure, particularly acetone, can compromise the strength and appearance of nails, making them weaker and more brittle. Not only that, but acetone can irritate or even damage the skin surrounding your nails. Because of this, making sure you apply plenty of sunscreen in enough time before your visit to the nail salon will help protect your skin.

Prolonged Exposure to UV Radiation

As we mentioned earlier, you should be wary of any exposure to UV radiation. If you’re only getting a gel manicure when a special occasion like a wedding rolls around, then it’s unlikely that you have too much to worry about. 

But if you’re getting a gel manicure every couple of weeks, then you may be exposing yourself to dangerous levels of UV radiation. You can think of those UV lights for your hands as mini tanning salons, which have been shown to dramatically increase the risk of skin cancer. 

The Best Way to Protect Your Hands from the UV Lamp

Now that we’ve established the risks of gel manicures, the question is, can you do anything about it? We’re happy to announce that the answer is yes, you can. UV rays pose a threat to your skin, but we humans have come up with a handy defense mechanism – your sunscreen. 

Be sure to apply plenty of sunscreen to your hands (and other areas that will be exposed to UV radiation) at least 15 minutes before you attend your salon appointment. We recommend this because it gives out water-resistant sunscreen enough time to absorb into the skin – and the same goes for your toes too!

Here at Black Girl Sunscreen, we offer a wide range of outstanding, water-resistant sunscreen products that will ensure that your skin is kept safe and sound while you’re making your nails look beautiful. We recommend using a high broad spectrum product when exposing your skin to UV lights, such as Make it Hybrid SPF 50 Sunscreen or Make It Glow SPF 45. 

Introducing the new SunShield UPF 50+ Gloves

Need more sun protection? Black Girl Sunscreen has you covered, literally. Our SunShield UPF 50+ gloves give the ultimate sun protection for your hands, hands down. Made with UPF 50+ to block over 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays from penetrating your skin, SunShield gloves are created with soft and stretchy nylon and spandex fabric that fits virtually any hand size.

Protecting your hands from radiation caused by UV and LED nail lamps so you can maintain your mani, just got easier.

Yes – There’s a Difference in UPF vs SPF

If you’ve ever bought sunscreen, you’re probably at least somewhat familiar with SPF or sun protection factor. But what about UPF? 

UPF is another rating you might find on sun protection products. But unlike SPF, which can be found in sunscreens and lotions, UPF is used in protective fabrics used to make clothing or umbrellas. This newer rating system is useful too, because it helps you choose the best protective product for your needs.

UPF Explained & When to Use It

Ultraviolet protection factor — or UPF, for short — is a rating system that points to the amount of UV protection your clothing and other fabrics provide by measuring how much of the sun’s rays are absorbed by the fabric. For example, if your protective product has a UPF rating of 50, that means that only 0.02% of the sun’s UV radiation can bypass the material to penetrate your skin.

The cool thing about UPF products, like Black Girl Sunscreen’s Sun Shield UPF 50+ Gloves, is that it protects your skin against both UVA and UVB rays. And the more sun protection you have, the less of a risk you are for related skin conditions like sun damage, premature aging, and skin cancer.

SPF Explained & When to Use It

SPF, or sun protection factor, is the rating system you’re most likely to see on the bottles of sunscreens, lotions, and sprays. Even though most people can recognize an SPF rating, not many people know what the different ratings actually mean? 

We previously mentioned that when it comes to UPF, the higher the rating, the better the protection. However with SPF 30 sunscreen , there’s a common misconception that a higher SPF means more protection, but that’s not always the case. In fact, if you want to maximize your sun protection, there’s only one thing you need to remember: reapplication. 

No matter if you choose an SPF 30 or an SPF 50, you should always reapply your product every 2 hours for maximum UV defense. Neither SPF 30 or SPF 50 will provide full day protection from the sun without proper reapplication. When choosing your SPF, SPF 30 is best for daily use, whereas the 50 rating is perfect for higher levels of sun exposure or your specific skin needs.

The Key Differences Between UPF and SPF Protection

When it comes to understanding rating systems, the easiest way to tell the difference between UPF and SPF is in how they’re used. SPF is typically used in sunscreens, while UPF is designed for fabrics and clothing. 

For example, when buying sunscreen or other products with sun protection like a moisturizer or foundation, SPF can tell you exactly how much protection you’ll get. UPF works in a pretty similar way, but for fabrics. So by understanding how SPF works, you can easily make sense of the UPF ratings commonly found on clothing, umbrellas, and hats. 

Another difference between UPF and SPF is how their ratings are created. With SPF, volunteers test sun protection by applying sunscreen to their skin, then exposing themselves to UV radiation. On the other hand, UPF ratings for fabrics are not based on human testing, but ​​specialized instruments called spectrophotometers, instead. 

Additionally, UPF measures both UVA and UVB rays, while some SPFs only measure UVB rays. Either way, all Black Girl Sunscreen products are Broad Spectrum sunscreens which means they protect from UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays just like UPF products.

Both SPF and UPF are important sun protection rating systems that help us to choose the best products to prevent sunburn, sun damage, and skin cancer. And when you combine them both, you get maximum protection from the sun.

UPF vs SPF FAQ

Is UPF as effective as SPF?

Yes, UPF is just as effective as SPF. In fact, UPF clothing blocks both UVA and UVB rays, whereas some SPFs only protect against UVB rays.

Should you wear SPF under UPF clothing?

Absolutely! It’s always a good idea to double up on sun protection, and that includes wearing both SPF and UPF at the same time. It’s especially important to use sunscreen on areas of not covered by UPF clothing.

Does UPF prevent sunburn?

UPF clothing can help to prevent sunburn and other forms of sun damage by providing protection from both UVA and UVB radiation. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a UPF rating of at least 30 for the best protection.

Introducing the Latest Black Girl Sunscreen Creation – UPF Gloves!

Need more sun protection? Black Girl Sunscreen has you covered, literally. Our SunShield UPF 50+ gloves give the ultimate sun protection for your hands, hands down. Made with UPF 50+ to block over 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays from penetrating your skin, SunShield gloves are created with soft and stretchy nylon and spandex fabric that fits virtually any hand size.

Protecting your hands from radiation caused by UV and LED nail lamps so you can maintain your mani, just got ea

Transition Your Fall Skincare Routine with These Tips

Fall is officially here, and that means it’s time for shorter days, longer nights, and cooler temperatures. But even though the sun isn’t as visible as it was during the warmer months, doesn’t mean your skin doesn’t still need protecting. In fact, maintaining a proper skincare routine during the changing season is just as — if not more — important for happy, healthy skin.

Tweaking Your Skincare Routine for Fall

Fall is a season of changes. Temperatures start to drop and the leaves on the trees turn red, orange, and yellow. But the weather isn’t the only thing that changes. Your skin goes through quite a few changes, too. Because of this, you should switch up your skincare routine to accommodate your new skincare needs.

A Word from our Estie Besties

We partnered with professional estheticians in the Black Girl Sunscreen on their top tips to help your skin stay hydrated and moisturized as we transition into fall weather.

Envy Aesthetics Studio: “Stay on Top of SPF”

Though it may be cloudy during fall, you still need SPF. Sunlight penetrates through the cloudy sky and reflects off water. Wearing SPF everyday will prevent sunburns and free radical damage that accelerates skin aging.

– Lashane Barett of Envy Aesthetic Studio (@envyaestheticstudio on Instagram and TikTok)

Sugarmoon Salon: “Harness the Power of Vitamin C for Radiant Autumn Skin

As we bid farewell to the scorching summer heat and welcome the crisp, cool embrace of autumn, it’s easy to assume that our skincare routines need a significant overhaul. After all, the sun’s intensity wanes, and we tend to spend less time basking in its glow. However, there’s one skincare secret that remains crucial all year round – sunscreen. 

But here’s the twist: there’s an additional secret weapon to combat sun damage and premature aging in the fall – vitamin C. This superhero ingredient for your skin goes hand in hand with your sunscreen, Vitamin C is well-known for its ability to brighten the complexion, fade dark spots, and boost collagen production. However, what many people don’t realize is that vitamin C can also enhance the effectiveness of your sunscreen helping your skin stay healthy and radiant throughout the autumn season.

– Paola Girotti of Sugar Moon Salon, www.sugarmoonsalon.com

My Skin Plug: Your Fall Skincare Routine, Starts Now!

The transitioning from summer to fall means the humidity slowly becomes lower and the weather gets colder which means your skin is slowly going to get drier. For the the dry skin girlies, its time to brace up!!! Here are some skincare tips for all skin type to help you through fall as we slowly welcome the cold winter.

Select a good moisturizer: Moisturizers are products that lubricates the skin, supplies moisture to the skin, maintain and restore skin flexibility. Good moisturizers also prevent the evaporation of moisture and smoothen the skin. A good moisturizer should be formulated with humectants, occlusive and emollients. When purchasing a moisturizer this fall, look out for moisturizers that contains Squalene, mineral oil, lanolin, ceramides, glycerin, lactate, propylene glycol, lactate. A great tip for the dry skin girlies (go for thicker creams and extra moisturizing sunscreens like The Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 – which contains great emollients like avocado and jojoba oil.)

Incorporate hydrators/humectants: Start adding hydrating toners, essences or serums that contains humectants like lactic acid, Sodium hylauronate, glycerin, centella,sea moss, hyaluronic acid, snail filtrate, green tea. Humectants pulls moisture from the atmosphere and below the skin when the humidity is lower than 80%. Hydrators are essential as they will aid in reducing inflammation, plumping the skin and preventing dullness.

Book your peel session: This is the time to get that peel you couldn’t get during the summer. Book a consultation with your aesthetician to find out the right peel for your current skin concern and to get your skin prepped. PS: Do not get peels done at home!!

Lip care: Protect your lips with a lip spf during the day and moisturize with a lip balm or oil at night.

Up your body care game: Use nourishing body cleansers that comes in oil to gel form to soothe and protect skin. Moisturize with a hydrating body serums and or moisturizers..look out for ingredients with colloidal oat meal, lactic acid and urea. Seal in moisture to create a barrier on your skin to prevent moisture loss with thick oils like coconut oil, avocado oil and butters and balms (especially those that contain petrolatum).

Avoid over cleansing: Limit Cleansing time to 30-60 seconds. Avoid hot baths and showers stick to lukewarm water. Switch to gentler exfoliants like Lactic acid and mandelic acid. Wear your Sunscreen everyday, All day.

Tomi @ My Skin Plug, https://www.myskin-plug.com

Why does your skin care routine need to change in the fall?

Finding the perfect beauty regimen is hard. And if you’ve finally perfected your summer skincare routine, the last thing you probably want to do is start over. But updating your routine for the changing seasons is essential because even though it’s not as sunny, sun damage is never too far away.

Sun protection is a major part of every skincare regimen, even during the fall and winter months. Your skin tends to dry out as the weather cools down, so you might experience more flakiness, tightness, and even irritation, making hydrating super important. For this reason, having a proper skincare regimen is the best way to combat the cold and protect your skin from potential damage.

Essential Tips for Fall Skincare

Luckily, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to care for your skin in the fall and winter. But if you’re feeling particularly lazy, you can follow these quick and easy tips instead. Take a look!

Apply Hydrating Cleansers & Serums

Cleansing is always the first step in every proper skincare routine. But unfortunately, many cleansers on the market contain ingredients that dry out your skin, which can potentially set back your skincare progress.

If you want to ward off dryness, be sure to choose cleansers and serums that are specially formulated for hydration. Look for ingredients such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which boost your skin’s ability to absorb and hold moisture as well as protect the skin barrier.

Use Moisturizing Lip Care for Dry Weather

Lip dryness is a frustrating problem that many people struggle with in the fall and winter. The cold, dry weather can do a number on your lips, leaving them cracked, peeling, and painful.

To avoid the frustration, you need a reliable moisturizing lip care product. And fortunately, our dual-action Make It Pop Lip Gloss is formulated with SPF 50 and hyaluronic acid for sun protection and hydration.

Opt for Richer & Thicker Moisturizers

After cleansing, moisturizing is usually the next step in any good fall skincare routine. Not all moisturizers are created equal, so it’s crucial to choose the right one for your skin type. For extra protection in the fall, shop for rich and thick moisturizers designed to lock in moisture.

Don’t Forget Your SPF

The sun might not shine as bright in the fall, but sun protection is important all year long, which is why sunscreen is a must for every season.

A good SPF 30 sunscreen protects your skin no matter the season. And luckily, our moisturizing formula not only protects your skin but hydrates it, too, making it great for everyday use. Or, if you’re obsessed with pumpkin spice like we are, our limited edition Make It Spice SPF 30 face lotion and body spray really capture the warm coziness of the season’s most popular drink.

Conclusion

When you’re adjusting your skincare routine for fall, don’t forget to consider your skin type. It’s essential that you choose products that work for your skin for the best results. This includes sun protection, so be sure to make SPF a part of your beauty regimen all year long.

August is Black Business Month! The History & Why It’s Important

There are more than two million black-owned businesses operating in America right now, and Black Business Month gives them the support they need to shine.

Black Business Month spans across August and is particularly important when you consider that black businesses currently employ around 1.321 million people and add $1.7 billion to the US economy.

Black businesses are also doing great things for local communities. Here at Black Girl Sunscreen, for instance, we’re working across local communities to spread sun protection and sun safety to otherwise overlooked areas. 

But what is black business month, and what can you do to show your support this August?

The History of Black Business Month

Black Business Month began in 2004 and was the brainchild of historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan. The two partnered with a joint goal of advancing policies that were uniquely impacting over 2.6 million African-American businesses, including issues with gaining financial backing. 

These issues are especially infuriating considering a rich and culturally significant history of black business owners opening crucial, inclusive business spaces like barbers and tobacco shops as far back as the late 1700s.

Now, black-owned businesses account for around 10% of US businesses and 30% of minority-owned businesses. Women of color also account for around 50% of all female entrepreneurs and continue to offer community-led, vital services with an inclusive feel.

Why is Black Business Month So Important?

Black Business Month matters because it shows support and solidarity for typically independent businesses, as well as diverse and communal causes. 

With minority-owned businesses already facing issues including a lack of funding, this support is vital for ensuring brand awareness and sales. Pushes for things like social media shares of black businesses throughout August are especially invaluable for boosting sales, and securing hopefully loyal customers that keep communities rich in these black-owned business gems. A few of our favorite black owned businesses that carry Black Girl Sunscreen:

How Can You Show Support This Black Business Month?

Black Business Month is all about support, and there are a lot of ways to show your support this August, including – 

  1. Shop with black-owned businesses: Few things will be better for showing support this Black Business Month than shopping with the great black businesses across your local community. This is an especially great time to seek out black-owned businesses that you may otherwise not be aware of.
  2. Share black-owned businesses on social media: Sharing posts or purchases from local black-owned businesses across social media accounts can be a great way to increase brand awareness and boost sales for a black business owner. 
  3. Support black-owned business events: Attending, donating to, or actively volunteering for events within black-owned businesses can raise awareness, funds, and even success. Whether these are networking events, open days, or sales, community support will make all the difference. 

Do Your Bit This Black Business Month

Black Business Month is a key event in the corporate calendar, and your support makes a huge difference to minority business owners. Do your bit this black business month by shopping with Black Girl Sunscreen or one of the other black businesses currently doing great things in your local community (listed below)! 

How Effective Is Spray Sunscreen? Our BGS Business Owners Chime In

Sick of missing those hard-to-reach parts like your feet, back and shoulders when applying your sun lotion? Then you need a spray sunscreen instead. The good news is there are some serious benefits to choosing a spray sunscreen over a lotion, and to find out what they are, all you need to do is read the post below. We connected with some of our favorite business partners to get their take on how and why they use Black Girl Sunscreen’s spray sunscreen in their summer routine.

Serein Naturals

“Make it Glow is the sunscreen spray I’ve been waiting for! It goes on COMPLETELY CLEAR and is super easy to rub in! It smells great and now I have the summer glow I’ve always wanted while staying protected.”  

Owner of Serein Naturals, Angela Wells

The Skin Gym 

“As an esthetician sunscreen was the #1 product I always had trouble recommending to my melanated clients. I was introduced to BGS & instantly fell in love. Not only for the wide variety of products, & lightweight ingredients, but also their love for empowering strong women & sisterhood. The Make It Glow & Kids sprays give a nice, even coverage & leaves skin dry to the touch. Easy to reapply & the perfect size for your tote or beach bag. The skin is our largest organ, & protecting it ensures we all age gracefully.” 

Owner of The Skin Gym, Tennille Gossom

Canada Black Owned Marketplace

“The Black Girl Sunscreen, in all variations, sells very well in our stores. We have bought in the past the Make It Glow Spray, Adults and Kids Cream variations. Some customers love the spray version of the sunscreen, as they feel it is very convenient for them to just “Spray, Spread, and Go”. They also love the cream variation for its consistency and smooth application.  Our customers become even more excited about the “glow” on their skin after applying all variations of Black Girl Sunscreen. 

The name is so fitting for such a great product, no white cast and makes the skin look so healthy and glowing. 

This is a great product, and we love it. 

Team of Canada Black Owned Marketplace

Awa’s Marketplace 

“The Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Glow spray has made such an impact on my life that I can’t help but share my excitement. To be honest, I used to apply sunscreen only to my face and neck, but when I tried Make It Glow spray, it changed the game for me! I now carry two cans with me everywhere – one in my car and one in my bag for when I’m on the go. Plus, this is now a staple for me when I am on vacation. Not only does this product provide excellent protection for my skin, but the radiant glow it leaves behind is simply immaculate. 

My routine now involves applying a bit of shea butter and then spraying Make It Glow on my arms, legs – anywhere that’s exposed. The result is a beautiful glow that never fails to earn me compliments. Seriously, I could have a million dollars if I counted up how many times someone has said “Okay Skin!!”. I was so impressed with this product that we couldn’t resist including it on our online marketplace, and our Tribe members have fallen in love with it too. Black Girl Sunscreen is truly doing something special! 

Thank you for creating such a fantastic product that protects our melanin and aligns perfectly with our mission at ÀWA Marketplace. We believe in the power of representation and providing our Tribe with products that celebrate diversity and cater to our unique needs so we are so happy to offer this product to our Tribe.”

Owner of Awa’s Marketplace, Temilola Adedipe

Is Spray Sunscreen Effective? Yes – Here’s Why

Unless you enjoy wrestling with a messy lotion bottle covered in sand, spray sunscreen is a better and more convenient choice. After all, spray sunscreens tend to be much more lightweight and easier to massage into the skin than lotions, leaving behind less residue, stickiness and mess

Spray sunscreen is easier to apply than lotion

Spray sunscreens are also just as effective as sun lotions too as long as they are applied correctly.

Additionally, the spray nozzle can also help you reach those harder-to-reach places and make the application of the sunscreen faster as you can cover a larger area in less time. All of this means you get to spend more time safely in the sun, and less time applying and re-applying your suncream.

Spray sunscreen is absorbed faster than lotion

Another great reason to choose spray suncream over lotion is that they tend to be absorbed into the skin much faster. What this means is you won’t have to wait ages before you can get out there and enjoy the sun, or until you can dress as there’s less risk of a spray suncream rubbing off in your clothes and damaging them.

Demystifying SPF 30 and SPF 50: Understanding the Key Distinctions

Sun protection is one of the most important aspects of a skincare routine, and with so many options available it can be hard to know which one is best for you. SPF 30 vs. SPF 50—which should you choose? The answer comes down to your skin type and how much time you plan to spend outside or in direct sunlight.


Summer is officially here! And that means it’s time to stock up on your favorite BGS sunscreen. But with so many options available, it can be challenging to know which one is right for you.

Does SPF 50 Protect Better than SPF 30?

When it comes to shopping for sunscreen, understanding SPF ratings can be tricky. To clear things up, let’s discuss what SPF means.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It’s a way to measure how much protection a sunscreen provides against harmful UV rays.

How It Works

Ultraviolet radiation — or UV rays — are invisible rays emitted by the sun. They provide us with a healthy dose of vitamin D, but when exposed to them for too long, there are two types that can do more harm than good.

UVA rays: 95% of ultraviolet radiation comes from UVA rays. They have a longer wavelength that can penetrate deep into the skin to cause premature aging and skin damage.

UVB rays: The majority of UVB rays are blocked by the Earth’s ozone layer, making them shorter and less likely to penetrate the skin as deeply as UVA rays. Still, UVB rays can cause quite a bit of damage by burning the top layer of your skin, resulting in sunburns and even skin cancers.

Prolonged exposure to UVA and UVB rays is harmful to humans, which is why it’s important to protect your skin from damage by wearing a quality sunscreen with an adequate amount of SPF.

Credit: Tara Winstead/Pexels

SPF 30 vs SPF 50: What’s the Difference?

SPF 30 provides the minimum level of sun protection for people with darker skin tones. With SPF 30, only 3% of UV rays can penetrate your skin. This makes it more suitable for daily use  — to wear indoors or if you’re only getting a minimal amount of sun exposure.

On the other hand, when using an SPF 50 sunscreen, only 2% of UV rays can penetrate your skin. This is better suited for people who are prone to sunburns, or plan to stay in the direct sunlight for long periods of time.

In other words, if you use an SPF 30 sunscreen, you can stay in the sun for 30 times longer before getting sunburned. By that same logic, using a sunscreen with SPF 50 can protect your skin from sunburn 50 times longer than without it.

As a general rule of thumb, you should always reapply your sunscreen every two hours. And even sooner — every 80 minutes  — if you get sweaty or go for a swim.

Does the Higher SPF Last Longer?

When it comes to SPF ratings, many people think that a higher number equals more protection from harmful UV rays. Instead, an SPF number can tell you how long you can stay in the sun before getting sunburned. 

So if you’re more prone to sunburns, a higher SPF — like the BGS Make It Hybrid SPF 50 Sunscreen — can provide the defense you need. Otherwise, a sunscreen with SPF 30 is enough to keep you protected.

The Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays. It contains everything you need and more for maximum protection against the sun. Its formula is jam packed with a superblend of nourishing ingredients, including avocado, jojoba, cacao, carrot juice, and sunflower oil. Each ingredient is designed to not only protect your skin from sun damage, but hydrate, soothe, and reduce signs of aging as well.

Plus, you can forget about it leaving behind any annoying, white cast. The BGS SPF 30 is formulated to dry completely clear, so you can use it as a moisturizer, too!

What BGS Customers Have To Say

According to BGS customers, the proof is in the pudding. For a smooth makeup base, @_YungNinah uses her BGS sunscreen as a primer:

Credit: @_YungNinah/Twitter

To step up your skincare routine, @ThatsJust_GLO recommends adding BGS to your product collection:

Credit: @ThatsJust_GLO/Twitter

If you want to give your skin a soft, natural glow @zswagged says BGS is her go-to:

Credit: @zswagged/Twitter

To add a dash of Black girl magic to your daily routine, @AsiaPaige_ swears by her BGS sunscreen:

Credit: @AsiaPaige_/Twitter

Struggling with dark spots? @makedaalia uses to BGS to treat her hyperpigmentation:

Credit: @makedaalia_/Twitter

Or for the all-around, best sunscreen ever, take it from @politicallychy:

Credit: @politicallychy/Twitter

The Black Girl Sunscreen: 2023 Beauty Supply Highlight

Sun protection is a vital part of skincare for every skin tone and type. That is why the team here at the globally retailed brand Black Girl Sunscreen (BGS) is committed to making our products available in local communities. We’re also committed to supporting communities and businesses that are making waves in the area of sun protection and safety for all, including those with darker skin tones. Learn more about our amazing beauty supply store vendors below.

Ahni Beauty Supply

Two ladies shared a dream and wondered whether it could become a reality. If you’re reading this, then you know it is reality. These ladies of AHNI Beauty Supply dared to enter the beauty supply marketplace in an environment dominated by corporate entities with dissimilar cultural backgrounds. As others have also climbed this mountain of obstacles, so did the founders of Ahni Beauty Supply; with their funding, determination, and the help of their families, Ahni Beauty Supply was born.

Although the enterprise is a business, it is grounded in family. At their core is caring for one another and the customers, our friends. Ahni Beauty Supply treats everyone with respect and dignity. In keeping true to who they are, they desire to help you beautify your hair, body, and spirit.

Why Ahni Beauty Supply Loves Black Girl Sunscreen:

We chose black girl sunscreen because it was requested by our patrons. Once we stocked the product we realized how great of a product it is with a variety of options. A lot of our customers are excited when they see that we carry the BGS brand. Last, but most important we are proud to carry black owned brands!

Curly Gurl Luv Beauty Supply

Curly Gurl Luv was born out of a commitment to bridge the gap and create a modern one-stop shop beauty supply store for people with curly, coily, kinky, and thick hair. Curly Gurl Luv is a community for black, brown, and multicultural women to shop, learn natural hair care, and celebrate their beauty! Christina Smith and her husband are the co-founders of Curly Gurl Luv. As a Los Angeles native and former special education teacher, Christina is passionate about investing in communities of color. Together, they have worked to curate a space designed for us, and by us.

Why Curly Gurl Luv Loves Black Girl Sunscreen:

Curly Gurl Luv is a proud retail partner with Black Girl Sunscreen because their product is ‘black girl magic’ in a bottle. They embody our mission of celebrating our unique beauty and empowering women to grow in “self luv.”

Icon Beauty Supply

Janelle Cato, CEO and Owner of Icon Beauty, who was born in Tacoma Washington but moved all over the country due to her father’s military service. She also has a 9-5 working for the Army for 13+ years and counting. Janelle currently owns and operates Icon Beauty Supply as a beauty supply franchise. Her goal is to give people an iconic beauty supply experience, while also documenting her success, learnings and self-discovery efforts as an entrepreneur on the blog element of her website.

Why Icon Beauty Loves Black Girl Sunscreen

Icon Beauty Supply is a proud carrier of Black Girl Sunscreen. We love to support black women owned businesses and BGS aligns with our goals of promoting diversity and educating people of color. The collaboration of brands is definitely ICONIC!

Other Beauty Supply Stores You Can Find Us!