Best Waterproof Sunscreen for Surfing: 4 Surfers Sunscreens
Choosing the best waterproof sunscreen for surfing can help you enjoy your favorite water sport in summer.
When you make your list of what to wear for paddle boarding or surfing, you need to include a good sunscreen. You do not want to expose your skin to the UV rays of the sun, because skin cancer is very real!
But you may be wondering … why does it need to be a waterproof sunscreen? Well, the surfing conditions are at best rough, with waves bashing your body.
Now, a sunscreen that is not waterproof is going to wear out long before you are done surfing. And there you will be, thinking that you are protected while in the real sense, you are not!
Best waterproof sunscreen for surfing
There are many brands of sunscreen for water sports. All of them claim to be the best, so you really need to do some homework. But here, we bring you three of the top rated sunscreens for surfers.
Thinksport SPF 50+ Waterproof Mineral Sunscreen
They say that the Thinksport SPF 50+ Mineral sunscreen is for kids. But you know that if it is safe for kids who have a far more sensitive skin, then it must be good for you too.
Also, looking at the ingredient combination, it is easy to see why this is one of the top rated mineral sunscreens for watersports.
This is also a vegan sunscreen, meaning that it contains no animal products. It also does not contain phthalates, petroleum, oxybenzone, parabens and avobenzone to name a few of them. Overall, you will get incredible natural protection from the sun’s rays and from melanoma.
This product’s water resistance does not wear off for up to 80 minutes. Thus, your child can play in the water and swim to their fill.
This is a reef-friendly sunscreen, so it cannot pose any harm to the coral reefs. This is one of the requirements when you are choosing a good product to use for snorkeling among reefs.
One thing you will appreciate about this sunscreen for surfers is that it is so easy to apply. It is absorbed fast and as soon as you are done applying it, it starts protecting the skin immediately. In addition, it does not make the skin feel sticky at all.
BLUE LIZARD – best sunscreen for surfers
This is a sensitive mineral sunscreen, which contains zinc oxide, which is rated as a 50 SPF formula. When it comes to sunscreens, the SPF (sun protection factor), higher is better.
Many people ask: is SPF 30 or 50 better? Well, 50 is better because it protects you from more of the sun’s rays.
This product is going to provide your skin with broad-spectrum UVB and UVA rays, which is basically the overall protection that you need when surfing or stand up paddle boarding in summer.
How this product works is that it acts like so many tiny mirrors on your skin, which reflect the sun’s rays back. This ensures that the rays do not penetrate your skin.
As you will see from the list of ingredients, the BLUE LIZARDdoes not contain Octinoxate and Oxybenzone, so it is 100 percent reef-safe. It will not exude any chemicals that can damage the coral reefs.
Easy to apply, starts protecting your skin immediately and does not cause skin irritation. This best surfing sunscreen comes with tens of benefits.
Coppertone Limited Edition ULTRA GUARD Surfers Sunscreen
What would you say to a sunscreen product for surfers that contains SPF 70 protection against the sun’s rays? If you experience really hot summers, this is the right sunscreen to apply on your skin to keep it safe.
Because it stays waterproof for up to 80 minutes, this we believe is a long enough time for you to surf and then you can take a break and apply another round.
It gives you protection from the UVA/UVB rays and the best part – it is absorbed fast so there is no sticky feeling on your skin.
You can also use this sunscreen when you are working out, or just going out in the sun. Thus, it is not just good for watersport enthusiasts, but it is good for just about anyone who is going out in the sun.
This is a dermatologist-tested product that offers up to 98% protection against the sun’s rays. When your skin is protected from the harmful rays of the sun, you can surf longer and harder in peace.
Waxhead HUGE Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Stick – surfer sun protection
You know that a sunscreen product is safe for you if it is safe for small kids, and the Waxhead HUGE Sunscreen Stick is safe for infants.
It contains zinc oxide, which means you cannot experience skin irritation even if you wear this product daily.
In addition to zinc oxide, the other ingredients of this product include organic beeswax, coconut oil and vanilla extract.
This waterproof sunscreen will sit on your skin for up to 80 minutes without being absorbed away. Applying it is so simple. Just apply dots of the product on the skin and then rub it all over.
You will notice that this lotion is thicker than most others so it takes some rubbing in. It gives you SPF 30 protection, a couple of notches lower than you would get from the SPF 50 and 70 products.
It is also coral reef safe, so you can also wear it when you are snorkeling in the reefs. In fact, this is approved for use in Hawaii and all waterparks in the USA.
Best waterproof sunscreen for surfing FAQ
If you buy any of the four surfers sunscreens that we have reviewed, you will have maximum protection. However, you might need more clarification on why you need sunscreen, especially if you are a surfing beginner. Read this FAQ section. It will shed more light:
What is the best sunscreen for surfing?
Thinksport SPF 50+ and BLUE LIZARD sunscreens are without a doubt the best in our list here. The price is not too bad, they are easy to prepare and they have SPF 50, which is definitely better than 30. They are waterproof lotions that can stay on the skin for up to 80 minutes and they never get absorbed into the bloodstream.
Why do surfers wear zinc?
Zinc offers the broad-spectrum protection against the UVB and UVA rays of the sun. This kind of sun protection is very important because surfers are exposed to the sun for the longest time in summer. It is also safe to be applied even on sensitive parts of the body.
Is SPF 30 or 50 better for face?
SPF 30 is perfect for your face. SPF stands for sun protection factor. You will notice that most sunscreens have 30 to 50 SPF. This is because SPF 30 is appropriate for protecting you against sunburns. However, in extreme summer conditions, higher protection is better. Some sunscreens have SPF 70 to 100.
What kind of sunscreen do surfers use?
The best surfers sunscreen should be SPF 50 or higher. Most notably, the sunscreen should offer broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays of the sun.
Conclusion for best surfing sunscreen
After reading this review post, choosing the best waterproof sunscreen for surfing should be easy.
Just ensure it is reef-safe and that it has SPF of more than 50. Surfers might be exposed to the harsh sun because this is a surface water sport. Thus, a sunscreen that stays waterproof for up to 80 minutes is best.
Remember, never go surfing in summer without sun protection. Also, make sure you apply the same on your children when going to the beach or when swimming in the ocean or pool.