Venus Williams Couldn't Find Sunscreen Suitable for Her Skin Tone — so She Created Her Own

Credo Beauty

You probably know Venus Williams best as a powerhouse on the tennis court, but a simple glance at her Instagram can clue you into a few more facts about the Olympic champion: First, she can deliver decades of tennis knowledge into easy-to-learn tips, second, she is tight with her sister Serena, and third, she has amazing skin.  But like many of us, even Williams — a self-proclaimed skin care lover — once left out a vital step in her beauty routine: putting on sunscreen.

"My mom tried to convey the importance of sun protection when we were young, but I wasn't always diligent about my SPF," Williams told Shape. "It wasn't until I was in my mid-30s and saw my sister Serena reapplying sunscreen and wearing long sleeves and a hat that it clicked for me."

However, even after upping her knowledge of sun protection, the Grand Slam champion struggled to find a formula suitable for her skin. "Formulas that blended naturally into my skin tone were not effective or long-lasting — and the formulas that were effective and long-lasting left a white cast on my skin," she said. "I didn't want to look like a ghost or end up with breakouts, and I certainly didn't want my game to be affected by harsh ingredients stinging my eyes."

The solution? Teaming up with Credo Beauty  to create her own SPF line. Formulated for all skin tones, the EleVen by Venus Williams SPF line features hydrating formulas that are powerful enough to protect your skin through an hour of sweating in the sun. Most importantly, every product is white cast-free. Take the Ace the Day SPF 30 Face Lotion, for instance: Lightweight and effortlessly absorbed, this cream has all the skin-refreshing benefits of a daytime moisturizer, but also offers SPF 30. It even provides skin-blurring coverage and a subtle, natural-looking glow without an ounce of makeup. (Another staple in Venus Williams' skin-care routine? This skin-firming anti-aging serum)

Credo Beauty

Buy It: EleVen by Venus Williams Ace the Day SPF 30 Face Lotion, $38, credobeauty.com

Another standout from the line, the Unrivaled SPF 35 Sun Serum is an ideal pick for anyone with dry skin looking for a boost of moisture with their sun protection. Combining UV-blocking zinc oxide with soothing prickly pear extract, this light, translucent serum leaves skin feeling hydrated, according to one Credo shopper who noted it "goes on smooth and velvety and doesn't leave a white cast." Similarly, the Perfect Form SPF 15 Lip Balm includes skin-softening shea butter and provides mineral-based sun protection to your lips — an area often overlooked when it comes to applying SPF. (BTW: Shoppers swear this probiotic sunscreen actually prevents breakouts.)

Credo Beauty

Buy It: EleVen by Venus Williams Unrivaled SPF 35 Sun Serum, $50, credobeauty.com

Credo Beauty

Buy It: EleVen by Venus Williams Perfect Form SPF 15 Lip Balm, $19, credobeauty.com

Last but not least, the line's body sunscreen, the Game. Set. Match. SPF 50 Body Lotion, promises 80 minutes of protection, even through dips in the pool and sweaty workouts on the court. One shopper also noted that it's "super hydrating" thanks to a dose of allantoin, a plant extract that heals and moisturizes skin (musts for healing a sunburn).

Credo Beauty

Buy It: EleVen by Venus Williams Game. Set. Match. SPF 50 Body Lotion, $38, credobeauty.com

"My goal was to create a line of safe and effective sun care designed for everybody, with every skin tone in mind," Williams said, adding that she "can't leave the house without it." Shop the entire line starting at $19 on Credo Beauty.