What Does Current Sunscreen Market Fail At?
Visual Representation & Failure
Mineral-based filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide leave visible residue on darker skin tones, contradicting labels such as “sheer” and “invisible.”
Performance Testing Failure
Claims such as “water-resistant for 80 minutes” reflect regulatory minimums, not real-world athletic conditions involving prolonged sweat, heat, and friction.
Communication Transperancy Failure
Sunscreen brands simply universal suitability without clarifying:
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Which skin tones were tested
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Under what athletic conditions products were evaluated
Learn More About Current Research
Did You Know?
Photoprotection for Skin of Color
Sunscreen Use Prevents Skin Cancer
A study reviewing how sun protection behaviors and UV damage apply to individuals with darker skin tones, noting that sunscreen use may be underestimated in these populations and that cosmetic issues (like white cast) influence sunscreen choices.
A narrative review that evaluates UV protection methods relevant to athletes, including sunscreen formulation/use, clothing, and behaviors. This is especially useful for your athlete-focused context.
A broad review summarizing evidence that sunscreen reduces the incidence of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, providing foundational evidence for why sun protection matters
An overlooked risk for skin health: Less availability and higher cost of sunscreen for people with melanated skin
Perceived Skin Cancer Risk and Sunscreen Use among African American Adults
A study showing that products compatible with darker skin tones are less available and sometimes more expensive in certain neighborhoods, demonstrating a market access and equity issue.
We examined perceived skin cancer risk and its relationship to sunscreen use among a large (N = 1932) random sample of African American adults for the first time.
Photoprotection Strategies for Outdoor Athletes
Melanoma Disparities
Perception Gaps
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Melanoma is 20–30x more common in white individuals.
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However, Black individuals are more likely to die from melanoma.
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Survival rate after diagnosis:
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White patients: ~94%
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Black patients: ~70%
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46% of African American individuals report zero perceived skin cancer risk.
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76% report zero to low perceived risk.
reveals a communication failure, not biological immunity.
Functional Sunscreens & Skin of Color
Research on newer types of sunscreens (e.g., tinted or visible light protection formulations) that may be more cosmetically acceptable and protective for darker and medium skin tones