When you’re heading out to the beach, the pool, or a day of outdoor activity, you probably want to add a bottle of water-resistant sunscreen to your bag. It makes sense – when you’re swimming, sweating, or both, you need sun protection that can keep up.
But is “waterproof sunscreen” really a thing? How can you really protect your skin on a day of swimming or sweating? Understanding this can be the difference between a fearless day in the sun or a red, painful day on the couch. If you know what water-resistant sunscreen does, how long it lasts, and when it’s time to reapply, you can leave your UV-ray worries inside and take measures to have peace of mind outdoors.
What does “water-resistant sunscreen” really mean?
The terms “waterproof” and “sweat-proof” aren’t actually allowed on labels, because no sunscreen is 100% waterproof or sweat-proof. Instead, you’ll see sunscreens labeled as “water resistant for up to 40 minutes” or “80 minutes.”
That label tells you how long your sunscreen can maintain its SPF protection while you’re swimming or sweating. A water-resistant SPF that lasts up to 80 minutes gives you longer-lasting protection during high-activity moments, which is exactly what you want in a sport sunscreen or a sunscreen for the beach.
How often should I reapply my sunscreen?
When you’re dry, sunscreen stays put more easily. Add water, sweat, towel-drying, or sand, and it starts to break down faster. A good sport sunscreen is designed to stay on better during movement and moisture — but even the best water-resistant sunscreen needs regular reapplication. In general:
• Apply 15 minutes before going out in the sun
• Reapply at least every 2 hours, or sooner if you’ve been swimming or sweating – check your sunscreen’s water-resistance rating to know if you should reapply after 40 or 80 minutes
• Reapply immediately after towel-drying
(There’s a common misconception that the higher the SPF, the longer your sunscreen’s protection will last. Don’t be fooled, though — a higher SPF filters out more UV rays, but you still need to reapply your sunscreen on schedule.)
Water resistant, sun safe
While no sunscreen is truly waterproof, water-resistant sunscreens go a long way toward protecting your skin, even when you swim or sweat. Blue Lizard’s Sport Collection SPF 50 sunscreens deliver maximum water resistance (80 minutes), making them a great choice for swimming, workouts, and long days outside. And our sunscreen lotions come equipped with our Smart Cap™, which turns blue when harmful UV rays are present, giving you a visual reminder to play it sun safe and apply sunscreen.
Visit us online to find the mineral sunscreen that suits your active lifestyle — so you can stay fearless at the beach, the pool, the great outdoors, or anywhere else you take on the sun.
