What is sunscreen? The best sunscreen lotion products are a crucial part of surfer's lives. The use of sunscreen protects you from the ultraviolet (UV) radiation sent by the sun.
Surfers are very much exposed to skin cancer. UV rays, sand, and water reflection are responsible for severe skin damages. Irreversible problems may appear in as little as 15 minutes of sunlight exposure.
Spring and summer, as well as hours between 10 am and 4 pm, are the most dangerous periods for UV exposure. Also, UV rays travel through clouds on less sunny days. Tanning is good and addictive, but skin cancer may end your surfing days forever.
Ultraviolet radiation destroys skin's cellular DNA and produces mutations that lead to skin cancer. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and kills more than 8,000 Americans, each year.
The best sunscreen creams, lotions, and sprays offer sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher and both UVA and UVB protection. These are broad-spectrum sunscreens.
Protect Your Face, Hands and Feet
If you're a surfer, try to apply two tablespoons of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before hitting the waves. If you're enjoying the surf for longer periods, reapply sunscreen every two hours because the contact with the water is always deteriorating your sun care protection.
Surfers wearing full wetsuits should apply a thick layer of sunscreen in the face, hands and even feet. If you're surfing with your boardshorts only, make sure to protect all your body. And avoid sunburns at all cost.
High-quality sunscreen labels include chemicals that ensure sunblock: compounds that absorb ultraviolet light, inorganic ingredients that reflect scatter and absorb UV light and a stabilizer that slows breakdown.
Alba Botanica, Aloe Gator, Aveeno, Banana Boat, California Baby, Coppertone, Garnier Ambre Solaire, Hawaiian Tropic, La Roche-Posay, L'Oreal Solar Expertise, Neutrogena, Nivea, Shiseido, and Waterman are the best sunscreen labels for surfing and surfers. Please use it always.
Check the sunscreen brands and the sun protective factor (SPF). Click on each label to buy:
| SUNSCREEN BRAND AND MODEL |
SUN PROTECTIVE FACTOR (SPF) |
| Neutrogena Age Shield Face Lotion | 110 |
| Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch | 100 |
| Panama Jack Sport | 110 |
| Aveeno Protect + Hydrate | 70 |
| La Roche-Posay Anthelios | 60 |
| Headhunter | 50 |
| Zinka Clear Zinc Oxide Facestick | 50 |
| Vertra Face Stick | 50 |
| Waterman Aqua Armor Lotion | 50 |
| Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection | 50 |
| Banana Boat Sport | 50 |
| Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydratation | 50 |
| L'Oreal Sublime Sun | 50 |
| Nivea Sun Protect Water Gel | 50 |
| Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen | 45 |
| Aloe Gator | 40 |
| Tender Sprouts Organic Zinc-Oxide Baby Sunscreen | 35 |
| Coppertone Sport | 30 |
| Zinka Clear Lip Protector With Aloe | 30 |
| California Baby | 30 |
| Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen | 30 |
| Raw Elements Face Stick | 30 |
The sunscreens for surfers review has been updated on September 18, 2018.
