Best sports sunscreen for every outdoor activity, tested by a personal trainer
If slathering on sunscreen evokes memories of your mom's childhood reminders to protect your skin, you're not alone. Like many children, I dreaded the ritual of rubbing or spraying on sunscreen — those precious seconds seemed to last an eternity when all I wanted to do was throw myself into the pool. But now, especially as someone who is regularly active outdoors, I understand the importance and continue to preach it: Applying sunscreen isn't a chore; it's a vital layer of protection from the sun's damaging rays.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with the American Academy of Dermatology reporting that an estimated one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. The good news? Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and UV exposure is the most preventable cause of skin cancer. Unprotected exposure to UV rays, particularly UVA rays, is correlated with the development of skin cancer and premature skin aging, including wrinkles and age spots. Therefore, in the quest to prevent skin cancer, sun protection in the form of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing is the key.
For runners, cyclists, golfers, water-sports enthusiasts or other athletes spending considerable time outside, the right sunscreen can make a huge difference. "For active individuals, sunscreen needs to go the extra mile," says Dr. Kristina Collins, board-certified dermatologist. "Sports sunscreens help maintain continuous protection in high-performance conditions, reducing the risk of burns, sun damage and ultimately, skin cancer."
The term "sports sunscreen" has no FDA definition, but sporty folks should look for a handful of extra factors in their lotions, sprays or creams. "The most important factors to look for in a sunscreen are broad-spectrum protection, an SPF of 30 or higher and water resistance (either 40 or 80 minutes)," advises Dr. Ruth McTighe, board-certified dermatologist. "Equally important is choosing a sunscreen format — whether lotion, stick, spray or gel — that you'll be able to reapply consistently when outdoors or playing sports."
It's not just the sunscreen itself that matters, but how and where you apply it. Namely, sunscreen should be applied to all areas of exposed skin (including your lips and scalp) — not just your face. Also, don't forget to apply on cloudy or cooler days, as UV rays can still penetrate.
Finally, applying once isn't enough. "You should consistently reapply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors," emphasizes McTighe. "It's also important to reapply after swimming or sweating heavily — even if the product is water-resistant."
McTighe also reminds us that sunscreen is just one part of a sun safety strategy: "Don't forget to avoid peak sun hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and wear sun-protective clothing."
While this can sound scary, there are plenty of options for athletes looking to keep their skin safe. We've rounded up our favorite broad-spectrum picks that'll stand up to water, sweat and, of course, the sun.
SPF: SPF, or sun protection factor, measures how well a sunscreen protects you from UV radiation, specifically UVB rays, which cause sunburn and contribute to skin cancer. "A sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher is recommended, as SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UV rays. While higher SPFs offer slightly more protection, no sunscreen can block 100% of UV rays, and the increase in protection levels off around SPF 30," explains McTighe.
Broad spectrum protection: Broad spectrum protection ensures coverage against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. Each dermatologist we consulted recommended broad-spectrum sunscreens only.
Water and sweat resistance: "Sunscreen is neither sweatproof nor waterproof, which is why the FDA prohibits these terms on product labels. However, sunscreens can be labeled as 'water-resistant' — either 40 or 80 minutes — indicating how long the product remains effective while swimming or sweating," says McTighe.
Noncomedogenic: Sunscreens labeled as noncomedogenic should not cause blocked pores, which is an extra perk if you'll be getting sweaty while wearing the product.
Lightweight and nongreasy: Sunscreen can get a bad rap for being either greasy or heavy! If you opt for a sunscreen that is lightweight and nongreasy, you're more likely to wear it.
Portability: If you're on the go and need to reapply sunscreen in the middle of a workout, consider looking for a TSA-friendly size or a stick sunscreen that you can easily slip into your bag.
Ingredients: There are two primary kinds of sunscreen that feature different active ingredients. Mineral (sometimes referred to as physical) sunscreens create a physical barrier between your skin and the sun, reflecting rays away from your skin. Mineral sunscreens often include zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as primary ingredients. On the other hand, chemical sunscreens absorb the sun's rays before they reach your skin. These sunscreens use avobenzone, oxybenzone, ecamsule and/or octocrylene as primary ingredients.
Format: Sunscreens are offered in lotions, liquids, sprays, mists, sticks and balms. Dermatologists agree that the best format is the format you'll be most likely to apply (and reapply).
As an avid outdoor enthusiast, longtime athlete and certified personal trainer, I've tested plenty of sports sunscreens while exercising outdoors. For this product ranking, I tested 14 dermatologist-recommended options while hiking, running, walking, playing pickleball and practicing yoga outside. I recruited a friend with a different skin tone and health history who runs, cycles and rock climbs to test the same 14 products. I also spoke with multiple board-certified dermatologists and nurse practitioners to get professional insights into sun protection, specifically for athletes.
Sunscreens were evaluated based on protection, application, texture, feel and overall experience.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick SPF 50: This sunscreen stick is made for sweaty days in the sun with 80 minutes of water/sweat resistance. The sunscreen goes on a little thicker and can feel sticky if it's not fully blended in.
Coola Clear Sunscreen Spray: This spray feels exceptionally light and offers great protection under the sun during sweaty pickleball matches. We tested the fragrance-free version, but there are scented options too.
Zo Skin Health Daily Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50: This daily sunscreen is incredibly lightweight, smooth and moisturizing. It's on the higher end of the price range.
MDSolarSciences Quick Dry Body Spray SPF 40: This spray stays true to its name — it dries quickly. However, I didn't love the scent.
Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Spray: This spray didn't give off a sticky glaze and smelled great. Unfortunately, during very intense exercise, the spray ran and appeared white.
Suntegrity Mineral Sun Sport Stick: Suntegrity's stick is a nice, on-the-go option that's compliant with the Hawaii Reef Act 104. However, it feels a little slicker and gives a slight white cast.
PCA Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45: For a pricier option, I wanted this sunscreen to work a little more effectively. While the formulation is lightweight, I found that it ran during outdoor activities and caused my skin to break out.
UVA and UVB rays are structurally different and impact your skin in different ways. UVA rays have a longer wavelength and are associated with skin damage and aging (like wrinkles and fine lines) and are also rays associated with tanning. UVB rays have a shorter wavelength and are associated with burning. One way to remember is that with UVA, the "A" stands for "aging," and with UVB, the "B" stands for "burning."
UVA and UVB rays together contribute to underlying skin damage that can lead to cancerous mutations and skin cancers.
Broad-spectrum sunscreen coverage protects against UVA and UVB rays.
"Reapply every two hours, or immediately after excessive sweating, towel drying or swimming — even if the product is water-resistant. If you're outdoors for long stretches, set a timer to remind yourself," says Collins.
Sunscreen isn't the only form of sun protection for athletes, though. As McTighe advises, athletes can wear sun-protective clothing and avoid the sun during peak hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Yes! However, dermatologists recommend looking for specific guidelines.
"Choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is water-resistant is your best bet for UVA protection while participating in outdoor activities and sports. The water-resistant component will help with any sweating that is likely to happen with outdoor activities," says Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist.
The terms "reef-friendly" and "reef safe" are not regulated. "That being said, when it comes to sunscreen, reef-friendly tends to refer to mineral-based SPF sunscreen. If the active ingredients are zinc and/or titanium oxide, it's likely going to minimize harm to our coral reefs," explains Catie Boucher, board-certified dermatology nurse practitioner.
Meanwhile, standard chemical sunscreens that utilize ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate may contribute to coral bleaching, though McTighe cautions that more research is still needed in this area. Often, the conditions in which sunscreens are tested for environmental safety don't translate to the real-world settings, so it's not clear to what extent chemical sunscreens could affect the reefs. One 2020 review study points out that most coral bleaching is caused by other agents and that there's no clear evidence that chemical sunscreens should be avoided for this reason.
It's also important to note that some products marketed as "reef-friendly" may use nano zinc and nano titanium, which are less safe for marine plants and animals. "'Reef-friendly' isn't regulated by the FDA, so always read the ingredient list," says Dr. Robyn Gmyrek, board-certified dermatologist.
"Using sunscreen is most important, regardless of type, to protect your skin from the sun," says Chacon. "Spray versus lotion sunscreen is a personal preference."
However, proper application is key.
"While a spray sunscreen can be convenient for reapplication and easier to apply on large or hard-to-reach areas, they are often under-applied and are sprayed unevenly, leading to inconsistent coverage. In addition, there is an inhalation risk if used on the face or in enclosed areas," says Gmyrek.
She also has a few extra tips if you're using a spray sunscreen:
Spray close to the skin until it glistens before rubbing it in
Avoid spraying directly on the face. Spray it into your hands before applying it to your face
Make sure the air is still, so the wind doesn't blow the sunscreen particles away from your body
Reapply every two hours (or more frequently if you're sweating heavily or swimming), just like creams
Each individual's skin is different, but generally speaking, dermatologists recommend mineral sunscreens with fewer ingredients. "Choose fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and noncomedogenic products," says Gmyrek. "If you are very allergic or sensitive, patch test any new sunscreen on a small area of skin before applying on your entire body."
Kristina Collins, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist
Ruth McTighe, MD, board-certified dermatologist
Anna Chacon, MD, board-certified dermatologist
Robyn Gmyrek, MD, board-certified dermatologist
Catie Boucher, board-certified dermatology nurse practitioner
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
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