The Importance of Sun Care for All Complexions

Protect that skin; it’s the only one you’ve got!

By Jen Harmatz, Murad Director of National Retail Education

Here’s the myth:

Only people with fair or lighter skin can get sunburned or skin cancer.

Here’s the real deal:

Yes, it’s true that those who have fairer complexions may burn more easily and are more susceptible to skin cancer. But it’s also true that while people who have much deeper complexions rarely burn, they can get skin cancer caused by over exposure to UVA and UVB rays.

Sun worshippers be warned – no matter if your skin tone is lightly pigmented or heavily pigmented, it’s important to protect it from the harsh rays of the sun.

UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, causing age spots and wrinkles. Yikes! So while you think you’re getting a “healthy” glow, you are actually doing more harm to your skin than good. The healthiest glow you can get comes from self-tanners and bronzers. UVA rays can also pass through glass, such as that of your car windshield. UVB rays cause sunburns. Both UVA and UVB have been linked to cancer.

Melanin determines the color of our hair and skin. The amount of melanin you have governs your skin tone. The more you have, the deeper your skin tends to be, and the less you have, the fairer your skin tends to be. In the past, it was thought that the more melanin you had in your skin, the safer it was for you to be out in the sun. In fact, people thought if your skin was heavily pigmented, then you didn’t even need to wear any sunscreen! Though you might not burn with a deeper skin tone, you may still tan. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, tanning, like getting sunburned, is your skin’s reaction to DNA damage caused by exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays.¹ This means that if you aren’t wearing any sunscreen, then your skin is being hurt by the sun.

It’s even more important to be vigilant about sun protection if you have a deeper complexion, because often when skin cancer is detected, it is in the later stages when there are fewer options to treat the cancer.

This is why it is so vital, no matter the color of your skin, to wear sunscreen every day!

Here are some basic sun safety tips:

Look at the Sun Protection Factor rating or SPF on your sunscreen. The SPF rating lets you know the strength of sun protection offered by a product:

SPF 15 protects against approximately 93% of UVB rays
SPF 20 protects against approximately 95% of UVB rays
SPF 30 protects against approximately 97% of UVB rays
Any SPF over 30 protects against approximately 98% of UVB rays


Generously apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to exposed skin every day, regardless of the weather, time of year or amount of time you’ll be outside.

Only broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
80% of potential UV light passes through clouds, leaving you vulnerable even on cloudy days.


Reapply sunscreen often if you are outdoors.
Seek shade when outdoors for prolonged periods of time.

Avoid being in the sun during the hottest times of the day, typically between the hours of 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.


Wear protective clothing and hats to shield skin from UV rays.
Wear sunglasses with lenses that block UV rays.
Do not use tanning beds.
Eat colorful, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables like oranges, broccoli, strawberries, pomegranates, and kiwis to help boost natural cellular protection against sun and free-radical damage.

In July 2014, the Surgeon General named skin cancer as a major public health concern. Even one bad sunburn in childhood increases the risk of melanoma later in life. Children and elderly people are more vulnerable to sun damage. It’s important to make sure they are properly protected with strong sunscreens of at least SPF 30 and protective clothing. Those who have allergies and rosacea might want to try sunscreens without fragrances and alcohol, as these formulas tend to be gentler on the skin.

Worship the sun no more; instead worship and protect your skin. As I said earlier, it’s the only one you’ve got!

Jen Harmatz is a seasoned makeup artist and skin specialist who has worked on the GRAMMY Awards and the Oprah Winfrey Show. She knows from experience that perfecting the “canvas” lets you put your best face forward. She has created education initiatives to empower people across multiple channels to improve their skin, life and overall well-being.

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