By stufflovely
Black Girl Sunscreen first arrived on the beauty scene in 2016 with a creamy SPF that doesn’t leave a white cast. The untraceable formula made it a popular option for people with dark skin. Now, the brand has added a new sunscreen — Make It Matte SPF 45 — to its lineup, which I was lucky enough able to get my hands on.
Unlike the squeezable tube of its predecessor, this matte formula is encased in a bottle with a pump and removable cap. It isn’t the typical creamy white sunscreen — it’s actually not a cream at all. It has a gel-like consistency, making it feel closer to a serum instead.
The silky and hydrating feel is largely thanks to the four skin-care goodies in the formula. Shea butter, coconut oil, and squalane assist in adding moisture to the skin, while aloe vera can help soothe, according to cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson. All this to say, users get nourishing benefits and sun protection all in one.
Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara says sunscreens like this, one that can multitask, are great because “[the skin-care benefits] make it pleasurable, fun, and easy to use.” When shopping for any sunscreen, she insists that “you cannot compromise on the product being broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher.” So long as it meets those requirements, it can come in a lotion, cream, or gel-like formula.
After moisturizing, I slathered about two to three pumps of the silky formula across my face. Gohara says a nickel-sized amount of sunscreen is recommended, no matter the formula. Because this product is completely clear, it blended into my skin with ease.
