best sunscreen for surfing

10 Best Sunscreen For Surfing Products (2022 Reviews)

Are you wondering which is the best sunscreen for surfing? Before we answer that, let’s get into some basics.

Before applying sunscreen, always check the ingredients to prevent reactions if you have sensitive skin.

Besides, some people have better natural protection and don’t need products with a high SPF factor.

Nonetheless, you should always consider blocking harmful UV rays and keep your skin hydrated.

Therefore, look for good sunscreen protection with shea butter, coconut oil, or a mineral-based lotion, face, and body stick, or spray that will allow you to spend hours out in the sun.

1. Isdin Monastery 100% Mineral Sunscreen

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Zinc Oxide and 100% Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+, No White...

This surf sunscreen uses all-natural ingredients that provide UV rays protection with its SPF50+.

It is FDA Certified, water and sweat-resistant.

Besides, it is easy to apply and is equally safe for your body and the environment.

Isdin company has over 40 years of experience in creating safe and environment-friendly products.

Isdin Monastery Acting Zinc Oxide is a 100% mineral sunscreen with organic ingredients and the first surf sunscreen we recommend for this summer.

Pros & Benefits:

  • SPF50+
  • FDA Certified
  • All-natural ingredients
  • Reef-safe
  • Easy to apply
  • Water and sweat-resistant
  • Paraben-free

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2. Isdin Monastery 100% Mineral Tinted Sunscreen

ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Sunscreen Zinc Oxide and 100% Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50+, 3.4 Fl Oz

This surf sunscreen provides high broad-spectrum protection, which means it protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays.

This sunscreen is a mineral-based and reef-safe sunscreen that contains zinc oxide, which blocks the sun’s harmful rays.

Moreover, it can reduce the damage to the skin.

Isdin Monastery is a natural sunscreen that will not harm your body or coral reefs.

This product is probably the best surf sunscreen that also contains Vitamin E that nourishes your skin.

Pros & Benefits:

  • SPF50+
  • Contains zinc oxide
  • Reduces damage to the skin
  • With Vitamin E
  • Contains antioxidants
  • Reef-safe

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3. Facial Pollution & Blue Light Protection

ISDIN Mineral Brush Powder, Facial Pollution and Blue Light Protection, a Complement to your Sun...

Although this product is not a surf sunscreen, it is a great supplement for ladies who want to stay pretty and provide additional protection to their skin.

It is a great product for very sensitive skin that uses the auto-feed brush system.

Although you might not be a fan of the auto-feed brushes, they assure a thin protective layer over your skin that looks natural.

The brush powder consists of functional ingredients to protect your skin from sunscreen and minimize uneven skin tone.

Besides, this product protects skin from the sun, environmental pollution, blue light, and infrared radiation.

Likewise, it aims to repair the existing damage and reduce the visible signs of aging.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Protects your skin from environmental pollution, blue light, and infrared radiation
  • Easy application
  • SPF50+
  • Minimizes uneven skin tone
  • Provides additional sun protection

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4. Neutrogena Broad Spectrum Water-Resistant Body Sunscreen Stick

Neutrogena Beach Defense Water-Resistant Sunscreen Stick with Broad Spectrum SPF 50+, PABA-Free and...

This sunscreen stick is a great choice for surfers.

It provides good sun protection and protection from the invisible but harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Therefore, this is a broad-spectrum sunscreen stick with SPF 50+ protection.

You can equally use it as a body or a face stick as this product is great for acne-prone skin.

For that reason, avid surfers should try out this sun protection stick.

It’s probably one of the best surf sunscreen sticks on the market.

Pros & Benefits:

  • SPF50+
  • Water-resistant
  • Provides broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection
  • PABA-free
  • Great for acne-prone skin
  • Reef-safe

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5. TropicSport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion

TropicSport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30, Reef Friendly, Water Resistant, Broad Spectrum, Natural...

Tropic Sport is a silky and smooth mineral sunscreen that absorbs fully into your skin.

It leaves no white residue and offers UVA and UVB protection.

Aside from neutral lotion for summer water-resistant, this is an eco-friendly lotion with a good protection factor of SPF 30.

Importantly, this fragrance-free sunscreen lotion has passed 80 minutes and 240 minutes water-resistance test, so you can spend hours in the water.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Moisturizes and protects your skin
  • Offers Superior UVA and UVB protection
  • Broad-spectrum sunblock
  • Neutral, fragrance-free lotion for summer

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6. Neutrogena Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion

Hydro Boost, Water Gel Lotion, SPF 30, 3 fl oz (88 ml), Neutrogena

This sunscreen hydrates the skin for 8 hours from the moment you apply it.

Moreover, this product has been featured in an article written for black women and, indeed, it’s a great product for people with a dark complexion.

It doesn’t leave a white residue but keeps it healthy, protected, and moisturized with SPF 30.

Besides, this product is water-resistant and women recommend it under their makeup.

The excellent Amazon reviews confirm that this product is one of the best sunscreen protection gels that also work great as a surfing sunscreen.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Leaves your skin healthy
  • SPF 30
  • Hydrates skin for 8 hours
  • Great for people with a dark complexion
  • Non-greasy
  • Water-resistant
  • UVA and UVB protection

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7. Neutrogena Ultra Water Resistant Lotion

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Water Resistant and Non-Greasy Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum...

This is an outstanding product that provides SPF 100 protection from harmful sun rays.

It is lightweight and fast-absorbing, which keeps your skin hydrated, protected, but also dry and smooth.

Besides, Neutrogena produces this lotion with SPF 30, 45, 70, and 100+ so you can choose the one that most suits your needs.

Anyway, it’s a great choice for those who need sunscreen for surfing that absorbs fast but is also reef safe.

This sunscreen protection provides a clean, ultra-light feel and non-shiny finish.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Sweat-resistant
  • PABA free
  • Leaves skin soft and smooth
  • UVA/UVB protection

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8. Shade Face Stick 50+ Tinted Formula

Shade Face stick SPF 50+ Tinted Formula

This reef safe sunscreen is a tinted face stick that’s also water and sweat resistant for at least 80 minutes after you have applied it onto your skin.

A mineral-based product, with micro zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, this face stick provides UVA and UVB protection for hours.

This product is much better than any of the chemical sunscreens present on the market.

Likewise, the face stick doesn’t smear or grease off into the ocean and it doesn’t leave any residue in swimming pools like so many other sunscreens do.

However, you should know that this is a tinted formula.

So, we don’t recommend it to anyone who doesn’t want to look like wearing makeup foundation!

Pros & Benefits:

  • Reef safe sunscreen tinted stick
  • SPF factor 50
  • Mineral-based, with organic ingredients (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide)
  • Waterproof
  • Lightweight
  • Protects you for at least 80 minutes after application

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9. Platinum Natural Face Stick

Platinum Sun Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Face Sunscreen Stick Mineral SPF 30+ Balm 0.56oz 17g

This natural ultra-moisturizing face stick protects against the harfmul UV rays of the sun.

You can take this pocket-size stick anywhere you go.

Chemical-free ingredients are equally safe for your skin and coral reefs.

Its SPF 30 ensures good UVA and UVB protection.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Ultra-moisturizing sunscreen
  • Chemical-free
  • SPF 30
  • UVA/UVB defense

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10. Headhunter SPF50 Clear Sunscreen

Headhunter Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 45, Waterproof Surf Sunblock for Waterman, Water-Resistant...

This product is a tinted face stick sunscreen designed for surfers, lifeguards, swimmers and anyone else who’d like to spend much time outside protected from the sun.

With SPF 45 and 80 minutes of water resistance, you can enjoy the sun and your favorite activities.

Based on reviews, this sunscreen blends quickly but does not melt, and moisturizes all skin types.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Long-lasting protection
  • 80 minutes waterproof
  • Reef Safe
  • Eco-Friendly lotion
  • SPF 45

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What Is SPF?

SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor.”

SPF30 blocks 97% of UV radiation, SPF50 blocks about 98% while SPF100 blocks almost 99% of sun rays.

All the sunscreens protect your skin from skin damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer.

But the truth is that higher SPF products are only marginally better at shielding you from UV rays.

Therefore, SPF 30 sunscreens do also a good job in protecting you from harmful sun rays.

Do Sunscreens Work Immediately After Application?

No, sunscreens don’t work immediately after application.

You should apply a lotion or some other sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside.

The chemicals in sunscreen or sunblock do not work immediately, but physical sunscreen does.

Therefore, to ensure full protection, wear sunglasses and a hat, and don’t forget to reapply the sunscreen every two to three hours, depending on your activities outside.

Can I Skip Moisturizer And Only Use a Sunscreen?

Yes, you can skip moisturizer and only use sunscreen.

Several sunscreens already contain moisturizers.

However, don’t apply spray sunscreen on your face.

Do you know why?

It’s better to spray the sunscreen generously onto your hands than, just rub it on your face.

Why Should I Apply a Sunscreen Before Surfing?

Surfing is an outdoor sport and you need good protection against harmful sun rays.

Besides, staying outdoors for long hours can cause sunburn and increase your chances of developing skin cancer.

Putting on sunscreen will not only protect you from immediate discomfort but will also protect your skin from UV rays.

What are the Benefits of Applying Sunscreen?

One of the most crucial roles, of sunscreen, is to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, which are called UVA and UVB rays.

Dermatologists recommend sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks almost 97% of sun rays.

Sunscreen not only helps us to prevent skin irritation, skin damage but also helps us prevent skin aging such as wrinkles and augmentation.

This is a mild SPF 18 lotion that works great under makeup or over your daily moisturizer for light protection.

It’s never too late to start integrating safe sun practices into your life.

Besides applying sunscreen, you can protect yourself from harmful rays by wearing a hat, sunglasses, umbrella, and other sun-protective clothing that will limit your direct exposure to the sun.

Using sunscreen gives you a healthier and young-looking appearance.

  • Sunscreen reduces your risk of developing skin cancer
  • keeps you looking young
  • maintains your skin tone even
  • protects you from more than only sunburn

How Often Should I Reapply a Sunscreen?

Once you apply sunscreen, you should know that it provides only limited protection.

At times, every two to three hours, you have to reapply it.

The skin absorbs the active ingredients in the lotion and you lose your protection.

Let’s make a parallel.

You took your medicine at 10 am and need to take it every few hours.

If you don’t take your medicine when you should, you will lose all the effects of the medicine in your body.

This is how sunscreen works too.

What Is the Best Sun Protection for Surfing?

There isn’t such a thing as “the best.”

Which sunscreen you will choose depends on your preferences.

You might want to reapply the sun protection every few hours, or you like to do it more often.

Likewise, you might spend only a few hours outdoors every day, or you might enjoy staying outside from dawn until nightfall.

You might just spend your time outside sunbathing or you might go swimming and stay in the water for hours.

Therefore, choose sunscreen according to your needs.

Ideally, sunscreen for surfing will be water-resistant, last for longer, and have good SPF protection.

Nonetheless, always make sure to apply sun protection.

Final Thoughts

While sunlight provides one of the best sources of renewable energy and solar power, although not a new technology, becomes popular, we still need ways to protect our skins from the harmful effects of sunrays.

While preparing to go out surfing, you should always have good sunscreen protection. Regardless of whether it contains shea butter, coconut oil, or minerals such as zinc oxide, your face and body stick, spray, or lotion has to keep you hydrated and well protected from harmful UVA rays.

Equipped with broad-spectrum protection against harmful uv radiation, you can spend hours out in the sun enjoying your favorite activities such as swimming and surfing until sunset.