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Sunscreen is crucial for maintaining healthy, glowing skin, and while you may have found your go-to daily protection for your face, are you using the best full-body sunscreen for outdoor activities? Sports and swimming can lead to sweating and the washing away of sunscreen, resulting in losing that much-needed protection from harmful UVA/UVB rays. In order to get the most out of your fun (and not burning in the sun) look for sunscreens for sports that will properly protect and last longer during your outdoor activities.
What Is the Best Sunscreen for Sports?
With many options available, we narrowed it down to our favorite seven sunscreens that provide broad spectrum protection, are water-resistant, and contain non-harmful ingredients.
BEST OVERALL
Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen
Blue Lizard makes a solid mineral-based sunscreen that has just what you need for outdoor activities: it has broad spectrum SPF 30, is water and sweat-resistant, and is fragrance-free. The fragrance-free part may not be a necessity for everyone, but it’s perfect for sensitive skin types. It’s very water-resistant, as it can last up to 80 minutes in water.
What’s even more interesting is that it’s packaged in Smart Bottle technology–the bottle turns blue in harmful UV light. Additionally, the sunscreen is paraben-free and contains no Oxybenzone or Octinoxate in order to avoid harming coral reefs. Just make sure to thoroughly rub in the lotion and apply 15 minutes before sun exposure.
BEST SUNSCREEN SPRAY
Bu SPF 30 Ultrafine WOWmist Sunscreen Spray
For an easy application, Bu’s SPF 30 Ultrafine WOWmist spray might be your favorite. It also has a light white sage scent. This broad spectrum, vegan formula leaves your skin feeling silky, while lasting up to 80 minutes of water and sweat resistance. There’s no need to rub the spray in. It’s also ideal for sensitive skin, as it contains no nut oil, gluten, soy, dairy, egg, colorants or synthetic fragrances. Plus, it includes antioxidant Vitamin E to prevent premature aging and enhance skin hydration. We like it as a quick spritz of SPF for our face too.
REEF-FRIENDLY
Thinksport SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen
As its name suggests, Thinksport is one of our top choices for best sports sunscreens. The brand specializes in natural, non-toxic body care that’s safe for most skin types. The lotion sunscreen easily absorbs when applied, and it’s also suitable for children. It’s a very water-resistant formula that’s also reef-friendly. With an SPF 50, you can be sure you’re getting sufficient protection outdoors.
DERMATOLOGIST-APPROVED
EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen Lotion
Elta MD is one of dermatologists’ favorite brands to recommend for sunscreen use (it’s celeb-approved too). With a top-rated everyday facial sunscreen, it’s no surprise that their sport sunscreen also ranks among the top. This zinc oxide physical sunscreen is fragrance-free with broad spectrum SPF 50 protection. It won’t sting your eyes, and it easily rubs into wet skin as well. Of course, it is made to be water and sweat-resistant.
BEST FOR MEN
Oars + Alps Hydrating SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray
Oars + Alps Hydrating Antioxidant sunscreen spray is specifically made for men’s skin, and provides broad spectrum SPF 50. It has a refreshing scent that includes notes of amber, bamboo, and coconut water. This sunscreen is water and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and it’s not greasy. It includes naturally-derived ingredients like Alpine Caribou Moss and Olive Leaf Extract to provide antioxidants and hydration (and the ingredients are naturally environmentally friendly). There is no Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Parabens, Phthalates, and Sulfates, plus the formula is packaged in a non-aerosol, recyclable can.
BEST FORMULA
Supergoop! PLAY Antioxidant Body Mist
Another sunscreen spray for sports to consider is Supergoop’s travel-friendly PLAY Antioxidant Mist SPF 50. It contains ingredients such as Vitamin C, green tea extract, and acai extract. It leaves skin glowing, and it resists water and sweat for up to 80 minutes. Supergoop! is praised for its clean ingredients, and it’s ideal for all skin types. This is a great way to refresh your skin and refresh your SPF protection in one spray.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Banana Boat Sport Ultra (Two-Pack)
Banana Boat’s Ultra Sport Broad Spectrum SPF 50 has been around for a long time — and for good reason. The thick and rich formula actually works wonders to defend and protect your skin from harmful UV rays. And this twin-pack gives you the best of both worlds – a spray and a lotion.
The lotion rubs in easily to coat your skin with protection; if you’re in a hurry, the spray can be your go-to choice. It has all of the main features of a sunscreen for sports and distributes evenly over the body. Additionally, it’s made for seven conditions: sun, pool water, ocean water, wind, sweat, sand and extreme heat. This sunscreen is the top choice for high-intensity activities. It’s reef-friendly too, making it a great eco-conscious pick.
What Makes Sports Sunscreens Sweat-Resistant?
One key feature you should look for in a good sunscreen for sports is sweat or water resistance. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the best sunscreen for sports and outdoors will ensure you can safely spend at least 40 minutes sweating, or in water, and still be protected. The best water-resistant sunscreens are effective for up to 80 minutes. These sunscreens will contain agents that help the formula stay on your skin for longer periods. However, you still need to reapply every two hours, or even less, if you’re sweating a ton. No sunscreen is waterproof.
Why Should You Use Broad Spectrum SPF?
The answer is simple: broad spectrum SPF includes ingredients that protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. If you’re going to be playing outdoor sports, you should use a broad spectrum and an SPF of at least 30 or higher for effective coverage.
