How Dermatologists Can Tailor Sunscreen Counseling for Skin of Color

A recent segment of the Skin of Color Savvy podcast explored how dermatologists can improve sunscreen adherence among patients with skin of color by tailoring counseling strategies and addressing longstanding formulation challenges that have historically limited sunscreen use in diverse populations.

Hosted by Rebecca Vasquez, MD, associate professor of dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, the discussion featured insights from Jeanine Downie, MD, founder of Image Dermatology PC in Montclair, New Jersey, Henry Lim, MD, of Henry Ford Health, and Jane Yoo, MD, assistant clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

The conversation began with Vasquez asking how clinicians can move beyond a “one-size-fits-all” approach to sunscreen counseling when caring for patients with skin of color. Downie emphasized the importance of framing sun protection in ways that resonate with patients’ priorities, particularly concerns about cosmetic appearance and skin quality.

Rather than focusing exclusively on skin cancer prevention, Downie described appealing to patients’ desire for an even skin tone, healthy aging, and overall skin appearance. She explained that many patients are motivated by concerns about hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores, all of which can be exacerbated by cumulative sun exposure. By connecting sunscreen use to visible aesthetic benefits, Downie said clinicians may be more successful in encouraging consistent daily use and reapplication.

She noted that many patients arrive in her office seeking the “glow up” they have seen promoted on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. However, Downie argued that no skincare regimen can achieve desired results without consistent sunscreen use. In her view, sunscreen remains the foundation upon which other skincare interventions are built, particularly for patients concerned about discoloration and uneven pigmentation.

The discussion then shifted to sunscreen formulation and adherence. Yoo argued that one of the most solvable barriers to sunscreen use among patients with darker skin tones has historically been product acceptability. For years, she noted, dermatologists recommended sunscreens that frequently left a chalky white or gray residue on deeper skin tones, creating a negative user experience that discouraged long-term compliance.

According to Yoo, newer sunscreen technologies are helping address that problem. She highlighted the growing availability of tinted mineral sunscreens containing iron oxides, which blend more effectively across a wider range of skin tones while also providing protection against visible light. That additional protection may be particularly important for patients with skin of color, given the role visible light can play in driving hyperpigmentation disorders.

Yoo also discussed broader policy and regulatory issues affecting sunscreen innovation in the United States. She noted that many advanced UV filters already available in regions such as Europe and Asia remain unavailable to American consumers because of regulatory hurdles. However, she expressed optimism about the potential approval of next-generation filters that could improve both sunscreen performance and patient adherence, helping to close what she described as both a formulation gap and an adherence gap in photoprotection.

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Editor’s note: This segment was summarized with the help of AI tools.