Melanin offers some natural defense, but it does not block all UV rays or prevent long-term damage. Daily sunscreen is still essential if you want to protect your glow, keep your tone even, and slow down premature aging.

UVB rays are the ones that burn, while UVA rays penetrate deeper and quietly cause dark spots, texture changes, and fine lines over time. SPF tells you how well a product helps shield skin from UVB rays, with higher numbers generally offering more protection when used correctly and reapplied as directed.

Post-acne marks, dark patches, and uneven tone can all deepen when exposed to sunlight, even on brown and deep complexions. Wearing sunscreen every day helps keep new spots from forming and stops existing hyperpigmentation from getting darker, so your treatments and serums can actually do their job.

UV exposure speeds up collagen breakdown, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness over time. Consistent SPF use helps soften the impact of sun exposure so skin looks smoother, bouncier, and more radiant for longer.

Skin cancer is less common in deeper complexions, but when it appears, it is often picked up later and can be harder to treat. Building sunscreen into your routine is a simple way to lower that risk and support long-term skin health.

While sunburn is less frequent on darker skin, it can still happen and may show up as tenderness, tightness, or a darker-than-usual cast rather than a bright red burn. Sunscreen helps prevent this discomfort and reduces the risk of cumulative sun damage that shows up years later.