# Melanin Care Black-owned skincare brands offer SPF protection for people with darker skin tones. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Jul 23, 2020 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/melanin-care ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.4/10 - Evidence articles: 9 ## What is the Melanin Care trend? **Melanin Care:** As sun protection becomes an increasingly important aspect of the skincare industry, Black-owned brands are offering products that are designed to suit the skin tones of Black people, and other people of color. The white casts and consistencies of traditional sunscreen formulas have left a gap in the market for people with dark skin tones, and Black-owned brands are addressing that. ## The consumer insight behind the Melanin Care trend The influence that Black people have had on the cosmetic industry has been vast, particularly in the trends that are so popular today. While they're often the drivers for popular aesthetic trends, Black people have long been underrepresented and under-served when it comes to the actual products and services that brands offer. Thus, these individuals have long turned to Black-owned businesses that have more knowledge and expertise in addressing their specific needs, or to brands that actually employ the expertise of Black people in order to meet their needs. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 9 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 9, 2018 to Dec 3, 2021 - Published: Jul 23, 2020 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Melanin Care trend ### Inclusive Sunscreens As the skincare industry focuses increasingly on sun protection, brands owned by and designed for people of color are addressing the gap in the market that traditional sunscreens leave for those with dark skin tones. ### Clean Sunscreen The push for non-toxic, eco-friendly sunscreen is driving innovation in the industry, with Black-owned and women-led brands leading the way with mineral and organic formulations. ### Self-Care Cosmetics As consumers look to partake in more self-care, accessible cosmetics and beauty products are becoming more popular; including bath and body products that offer clean ingredients and multiple uses. ## What the Melanin Care trend means for industry ### For Skincare The skincare industry is expanding to include mineral and eco-friendly sunscreens, as well as products that are specifically formulated for people of color. ### For Beauty E-commerce As more people turn to online shopping for their beauty needs, e-commerce platforms like 'BLK + GRN' are curating natural and non-toxic products from Black-owned and people of color-led brands. ### For Personal Care Personal care is becoming more accessible and diverse with brands like Urban Hydration offering affordable and high-quality bath and body products for people to practice self-care at home. ## Workshop question How could your brand create more representation internally, so that it's addressing the needs of more consumers? ## Trend signals for Melanin Care Trend score 3.4 out of 10, from popularity 48%, activity 43%, freshness 11%. - Popularity: 48% - Activity: 43% - Freshness: 11% ## Examples of the Melanin Care trend 9 featured examples from Mar 9, 2018 to Dec 3, 2021. - [Accessible Self-Care Cosmetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-hydration): The Latest Urban Hydration Products Prioritize Treating Oneself (Category: Marketing) Implication: There is an opportunity for the beauty industry to tap into the growing demand for affordable yet high-quality self-care products that cater to a diverse range of consumers. - [Sun Care Serums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eleven-by-venus-x-credo): EleVen by Venus x Credo Shares Lightweight, Universally Flattering Sun Protection (Category: Fashion) Implication: Opportunity for skincare brands to incorporate sun protection into their product offerings. - [Black-Owned Sunscreen Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-girl-sunscreen): The Black Girl Sunscreen is Filled with Natural Ingredients (Category: Social Good) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transform the beauty and skincare industry by creating inclusive products for all skin types and tones. - [Black-Owned Beauty E-Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blk-grn): 'BLK + GRN' Curates Non-Toxic, Natural Products by Black-Owned Brands (Category: Fashion) Implication: The rise of platforms like BLK + GRN presents a disruptive opportunity for e-commerce companies to curate products from underrepresented communities and spotlight diverse-owned br… - [Mattifying Gel Sunscreens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-girl-sunscreen-make-it-matte): Black Girl Sunscreen's Make It Matte SPF 45 Protects Women of Color (Category: Fashion) Implication: The beauty and personal care industry can explore the potential of creating sun care products that are tailored to the specific needs and concerns of different groups of consumers. - [Model-Backed Inclusive Skincare](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buttah-skin): Buttah Skin Was Founded by Dorion Renaud for Melanin-Rich Skin (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: The skincare industry has the opportunity to expand their customer base by creating inclusive skincare lines that cater to traditionally underrepresented groups such as those with… - [Silky Mineral Sunscreens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/everyday-body-lotion): The Unsun EVERYDAY Body Lotion is Clean Solution for Women of Color (Category: Social Good) Implication: Opportunity for cosmetics companies to develop and market clean sunscreen products. - [Juneteenth Sun Care Formulas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-skin-rx): Urban Skin Rx is Launching Sun Care Products for Juneteenth (Category: Fashion) Implication: The skincare industry can innovate by offering more specialized sunscreen formulas for various skin tones and increasing access to online consultations with licensed estheticians. - [UV Protection Hand Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emollient-rich-hand-cream): UnSun's Emollient Rich Hand Cream Uses SPF to Protect and Soothe Hands (Category: Fashion) Implication: Incorporating SPF into skincare products and focusing on natural ingredients can lead to disruptive innovation in the industry. ## Recent trend clusters - [Scaled Restraint](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/small-luxury-watches) (Fashion) - [Sneaker Theater](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sneaker-theater) (Fashion) - [Ritual Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ritual-systems) (Fashion) - [Athletic Styling](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/athletic-styling) (Fashion) ## Trending in Fashion - [Paisley-Shelled Collector Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paisley-shelled-collector-sneakers) - [Fruit-Inspired Digital Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themed-wristwatches) - [Deluxe Beauty Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classic-and-prestige) - [Modular Winter Wardrobes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moose-knuckles-fallwinter-2026) All articles: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion)