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Sunscreen for Endurance Athletes: Protecting Your Fun in the Sun

Posted on Mar 4, 2011 by Kim Landrum   |  

While it may feel like winter in many parts of the country, spring has sprung in Georgia. With near 80-degree temperatures in Athens and Atlanta and an abundance of sunshine, I've already pulled out my arsenal of sunscreens to use while training and enjoying the great outdoors. It's always a good idea to protect your face, neck, arms and legs from the sun when you'll be outside for any length of time. With no shortage of t-ball games, youth soccer matches and 5ks, it is a good idea to keep several kinds of sunscreen on hand including daily use and more active use waterproof suncreens. Here are some of my favorites:

Daily Use

Philosophy, When Hope is Not Enough" Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20: This daily facial moisturizer will protect you from UVA/UVB rays without that sticky feeling. It goes on light and the tint is so subtle that men can use it as well. With a nice clean smell, it has been a favorite of mine for years.

Aveda, Daily Light Guard with SPF/FPS 15: Like all Aveda products, this plant-based body moisturizer smells clean and fresh with no sticky residue. Since it is a daily moisturizer, it hydrates and protects your skin while also providing sun protection from UVA/UVB rays.

Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Tinted Cream: Provides protection against UVA/UVB rays thanks to a a unique filtering system of Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL. The cream is tinted to provide slight color, is highly water resistant and enriched with senna alata extract. Reapply every two hours for complete coverage.

Active Use

LUCA Solar Protection, Broad Spectrum Moisturizing Sunscreens: As the only US sunscreen company to voluntarily place a critical wavelength value on their label, LUCA offers "extended" (up to six hours) UVA/UVB protection. Daily moisturizing lotions with SPF 15 and 30 options, a Max-Sport SPF 30 spray and lip balm are available. LUCA products can be found in retail locations throughout the southeast or on their website at www.lucasunscreen.com.

Bull Frog Superblock Sunblock Lotion: This SPF 45 lotion uses organic and inorganic sunscreens along with SolarSphere technology which disperses the sun's radiation better than sunscreen alone. The formula is waterproof, sweatproof, contains moisturizers, is hypoallergenic and won't clog pores.

Kinesys SPF 30 Alcohol Free Sunscreen Spray: This spray is a good choice for athletes and individuals that need maximum sun protection during rigorous activity. The broad spectrum UVA/UVB formula is oil and alcohol free so it won't dry out your skin, is sweat-resistant and easy to apply with no rubbing required. Additionally, the spray is PABA and preservative free, cruelty free, fully recyclable and carbon neutral making it a responsible choice as well. You can order directly from www.kinesys.com.

Endurance

Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunblock Spray SPF 100+ with Helioplex: I trained and raced and entire season using this spray and never got sunburn. Granted, it feels a little like sunscreen during the initial application and has a slight medicinal smell that Neutrogena calls "clean" but the sweatproof, waterproof and breathable protection is worth it. Another great advantage is that the spray is available in most grocery and drug stores so if you are traveling to a race and find yourself at the bottom of your sunscreen tube, give this a try. Ultimate Sport also comes in a SPF 70+ lotion that can be used on your face, however I did have some issues with the lotion getting in my eyes when I sweat if I wasn't wearing a visor or hat.

Scape Athlete Sunblock: Developed by Dr. Nic Martens, the biochemist who developed breakthrough healthcare and skincare products for Johnson & Johnson’s Neutrogena brand, SCAPE's entire line of products was built with the endurance athlete in mind. SCAPE's line of sunscreen comes in every form so take your pick: lotion, stick, foam, lip balm, spray and gel. Waterproof and sweatproof, the SPF 50+ coverage doesn't block pores which allows your skin to breathe, and most importantly it won't run or drip into your eyes. The line is available through several online retailers and specialty stores; you can search for a dealer in your area (there are several in Atlanta) or purchase from their website at www.scapelabs.com.

Hincapie SkinDefense SPF 30+ sunscreen: Developed by Hincapie Sportswear (and famed cyclist George Hincapie), this water-resistant, sweatproof formula was designed specifically for cyclists, triathletes, runners and other outdoor enthusiasts. The spray pump encapsulated zinc oxide formula is hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic and lasts up to five hours, even in the water. Amazon says this product is "currently unavailable" and I don't see it in the product list on the Hincapie Sportswear site so I am uncertain about its availability right now.

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