Best 5 Sunscreens Designed for Athletes

Runners, tennis enthusiasts, swimmers, golfers, and baseball players share more than just a passion for sports. They all spend significant time outdoors under the blazing sun. While this can lead to a deep tan, excessive sun exposure poses serious risks. Harmful UVA and UVB rays contribute to progressive skin damage, increasing the likelihood of skin cancer.

Skin cancer ranks as the most prevalent form of cancer, with over a million Americans diagnosed annually. While basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are more common and less severe, melanoma cases are on the rise, particularly among younger individuals, and this form can be fatal [source: American Academy of Dermatology].

Avoiding sun exposure is the most effective way to prevent skin cancer, but athletes often have no choice. If you spend extended periods outdoors playing sports, wearing sunscreen is essential. Sunscreen works by absorbing or deflecting the sun's harmful rays, but not all sunscreens are created equal. In this article, discover the top five factors to consider when selecting the right sunscreen.

Even the highest-quality sunscreen is ineffective if not applied properly. Ensure you apply your sports sunscreen at least 30 minutes before heading outdoors. Don’t skip application on cloudy days, as up to 80 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can penetrate through clouds, even on overcast days [source: American Academy of Dermatology].

1. High SPF

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is the cornerstone of any effective sunscreen. SPF indicates the level of protection the product offers, determining how much longer you can stay in the sun without burning compared to unprotected skin.

Here’s how SPF functions:

For instance, if your skin typically burns after 20 minutes of sun exposure, applying an SPF 15 sunscreen allows you to stay outdoors 15 times longer—approximately five hours—before burning. Higher SPF values offer greater protection. An SPF 15 sunscreen blocks 93 percent of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97 percent, and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent. Note that SPF only measures UVB protection; there’s no standardized rating for UVA protection yet, though efforts are underway to establish one.

While it might seem that SPF 30 offers double the protection of SPF 15, or that SPF 100 provides six times the protection, the reality is more nuanced. Higher SPF sunscreens offer marginally better protection, but the numbers are often more about marketing than effectiveness (the FDA has even proposed limiting SPF claims to 50+). Dermatologists recommend using SPF 30 or 45 and reapplying every two hours or sooner if your skin starts to turn red [source: WebMD].

2. Broad Spectrum Protection

Top-tier sunscreens shield your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis, accelerating skin aging and weakening your immune system’s ability to combat cancer. UVB rays, while less penetrating, are responsible for sunburns. Both types of rays contribute to premature aging, freckles, age spots, wrinkles, and an increased risk of skin cancer.

When selecting a sunscreen, opt for products labeled as broad-spectrum, ensuring protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Check for formulations that include a mix of the following ingredients:

Protect against UVA rays:

Shield from UVB rays:

Defend against both UVA and UVB rays:

3. No Sweat

During an intense game, the last thing you need is sunscreen dripping into your eyes, causing a painful sting. Opt for sunscreens labeled "water-resistant" or "sweat-resistant," such as Coppertone Sport Ultra Sweatproof, Hawaiian Tropic Ozone Sport Sunblock, or Banana Boat UltraMist Sport Performance Continuous Spray. These products retain their SPF effectiveness for up to 40 minutes in water, provided they aren’t rubbed off.

While some sunscreens may still be labeled "waterproof," this term is misleading. No sunscreen is completely waterproof, as prolonged water exposure will eventually wash it off. The more accurate term is water-resistant. Regardless of the product’s resistance level, reapplication every two hours is essential, especially if you’re sweating heavily [source: Skin Cancer Foundation].

4. Seal of Approval

Instead of spending time comparing sunscreen brands at the store, rely on the evaluations done by trusted organizations. Seek out sunscreens that feature these endorsements:

The Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation: Products with this seal are proven to help prevent "sun-induced damage to the skin" [source: Skin Cancer Foundation].

Sport sunscreens endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation include:

For a complete list, check out the Skin Cancer Foundation's list of recommendations.

The American Academy of Dermatology awards its SEAL OF RECOGNITION to sunscreens that meet dermatologist-approved standards for effective sun protection. Some of these recommended sunscreens are:

For a comprehensive list, visit the American Academy of Dermatology's list of recommendations.

5. Easy to Use

Sunscreens are available in various forms, including lotions, creams, sticks, and sprays. Select the format that’s most convenient for you to apply, particularly one that’s easy to reapply during a game on the field, court, or green. While sprays might seem convenient, windy conditions can result in more sunscreen dispersing into the air than landing on your skin.

Don’t overlook essential accessories like sunscreen lip balm to shield your delicate lips. Options include ChapStick Ultra SPF 30 and Hawaiian Tropic Aloe Vera Sunscreen Lip Balm 45+. Additionally, consider a sunscreen specifically designed for your scalp, particularly if you have thinning hair.

Ensure the sunscreen bottle you select has enough product to last the entire day. For full protection, apply at least 1 ounce and reapply every two hours, especially if you’re sweating heavily or drying off with a towel. During extended outdoor activities, you might use up to half of an 8-ounce bottle. Research indicates that most individuals apply only half the required amount [source: Skin Cancer Foundation]. Insufficient application drastically reduces protection; for instance, using half an ounce of SPF 70 sunscreen instead of a full ounce lowers the effective SPF to just 8.4 [source: Saint Louis].