Protecting Your Skin without the White Film–Read a Comparison Review of Black Girl Sunscreen and Kinlò Skincare

I know sunscreen is necessary for my skin because it prevents hyperpigmentation and early signs of aging. Still, I always hated how sunscreen left a white film on my face, making me look like a mime. Needless to say, when it came down to protecting my skin or my vanity…my skin was the one that got thrown under the bus every time I opted not to use sunscreen. However, I know better now that I’m older and need to do better. While the level of melanin in my skin may delay signs of aging, black does crack, and I have no desire to accelerate the cracking. Luckily for me (and you), many sunscreen options exist for black and brown skin tones. Over the past two weeks, I tried Black Girl Sunscreen (BGS) and KINLÒ. Read on for my comparison review. Behind The Brand BGS was founded by Shontay Lundy, “a black woman with a diverse team,” who created BGS for melanated skin with naturally infused ingredients intended for everyday use, and KINLÒ, founded by Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam tennis singles winner, who created KINLÒ as a way to educate others about the damaging effects of the sun on black and brown skin. The Products: Black Girl Sunscreen and Kinlò Skincare Black Girl Sunscreen What I love about BGS is that it dries clear despite coming out of the tube white. It has a lot of slip, which makes it feel more like a face moisturizer than a traditional sunscreen. This allows me to get much coverage with a thin layer (using the two-finger rule) and easily use it as a base under makeup.  I can purchase BGS at big retailers such as Target and Ulta, which is a plus since I’m about immediate gratification and not waiting for products to arrive at my house. If you are looking for additional products from BGS, I am sorry to say that they are all about sunscreen (at least for now), so their product line is limited. However, they have made some new additions to their line, such as the Make It Hybrid with SPF 50, which protects against UVA and UVB rays; Make It Glow, which is the spray version of the lotion; a kids line called BGS Kids, and a Make It Matte line that curbs the shine if you are not about the dewy look. Kinlò Skincare On the other hand, KINLÒ has a more extensive line of products aside from Golden Rays Sunscreen (which comes in three different shades), that have recently been added to the lineup, such as the Hydrating Golden Mist (which comes with a lip balm), Always Golden Body Lotion as well as a Daily Moisturizer, a Hydrating Eye Cream and Hydrating Facial Oil which will keep your skin moisturized and protected. The Golden Rays Sunscreen promises to mattify skin “without leaving a white cast for a natural, flawless finish.” I have to admit, at first, I was hesitant when I squeezed the tinted liquid into my hand because it’s so difficult to achieve a perfect match with tinted products; my skin tone always seems to fall somewhere in between. I was also concerned that the texture was too heavy that my skin would not absorb it. However, I realized that the key to applying KINLÒ is to shake well before using it for a light, smooth, and hydrating experience. While the color match was not exact, KINLÒ did leave my skin with a golden finish. You can purchase Golden Rays Sunscreen ($19.99/2 fl oz) from KINLÒ.com or Walmart.com ($11.97/.95 fl oz). Overall Review All in all, my top pick is Black Girl Sunscreen. While KINLÒ is a close second, BGS is more versatile because it’s buildable. There are times during the summer when I don’t want a thing on my face except for a moisturizer and sunscreen, and then there are other times when I want to wear makeup and protect my skin at the same time; BGS allows me to do that because it’s translucent enough to use as a base under makeup but can also stand alone as a moisturizer–giving me the best of both worlds.  MC Kinlo Golden Rays Sunscreen and Hydrating Golden Mist Black Girl Sunscreen