Sunscreen is essential for outdoor summer workouts, but there are few more rude sensations in life than when sweat turns your forehead into a slip. Goopy’s sunscreen slips down.
Fortunately, some sunscreens are more up to par than others. Technically, none of them are “sweat-proof,” as something will eventually wear out. (In the same vein, the FDA does not allow sunscreens to be advertised as “waterproof” or referred to as “sunscreens”).resistant therefore, there are sweat resistant sunscreens and a look at the label can help you differentiate.
Look for “40 minutes” or “80 minutes” on the label
Sunscreens that can withstand perspiration or swimming will be labeled “water resistant” and you will see these words on the front of the package. Most sunscreens with “sport” in the name are water resistant, but be sure to look for the small print.
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According to FDA labeling guidelines, a sunscreen that becomes water-resistant should also indicate whether it has passed a 40- or 80-minute test. To get the sunscreens that best withstand sweat, look for the words “water resistant (80 minutes)”.
You even need to re-apply sweat-resistant sunscreens
If you are about to go out for a few hours, you will not be able to quit smoking sunscreen and then forget about it. Add up the time you expect to be outside and compare it to what it says your sunscreen can do.
All sunscreen should be reapplied within two hours, even if you haven’t been sweating. During this time, you’ve probably touched your face, your sleeves have rubbed your arms, and so on. There is no guarantee that you have enough sunscreen left to protect you, so go ahead and reapply to be safe; aiiIf you touch the towel at any time, be sure to reapply afterwards.
If you are sweating (or swimming or exposed to water), pay attention to the water resistance rating. If you run for 90 minutes, using 80 minutes of sunscreen will not reach your finish line. Chances are, at some point, you stop looking for water or a snack, so make a sunscreen and reapply it when you get a minute.
Balance all factors
As with any skin product, you will need to experiment to find the ones that work best for you. (After all, the best sunscreen is the one you will actually wear.) You will also want to check the rest of the label statistics. Look for an SPF of at least 30 and the words “broad spectrum” to indicate which blocks UVA rays in addition to UVB.
So while I would prefer an 80 minute sunscreen, the one I wear when I run is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Mist. It is SPF 55, broad-spectrum and, above all, does not feel sticky or viscous others I have tried. It resists water for 40 minutes, so I apply again or choose a different sunscreen if I know I’ll be workingT longer than that. (I will wear an 80-minute sunscreen on my arms in these cases, but I prefer my favorite for my face.)f you have found your own favorite sweat resistant sunscreen, let us know.