It is true that the darker your skin tone, the less likely you are to develop skin cancer. This is because those with darker skin have higher levels of melanin, the natural chemical that gives skin its colour. As melanin is the skin's first line of defence against damaging UV rays, people will more melanin will be more protected. So much more protected, in fact, that those with dark skin can have a natural SPF as high as 13! However, regardless of this natural protection, dark-skinned people still develop skin cancer, so it is crucial that they wear sunscreen. This is even more important as researchers from the University of Cincinnati found that dark-skinned people are actually more likely to die from skin cancer than light-skinned people.
So, whatever your skin colour, make sure you use a good sunscreen this summer. Look for one that protects skin from UVA & UVB rays, contains a high SPF and provides the skin with some additional benefits. I use the Vichy Capital Soleil Face & Body Milk SPF50 300ml (£19.00 lifeandlooks.com / $47.00 Amazon). It contains Hyaluronic Acid that hydrates skin and locks in moisture, as well as Vichy's soothing Thermal Spa Water which soothes and calms the skin. It is also really easy to apply and doesn't leave behind those annoying white marks!
