The best sunscreen for swimming
What’s the best sunscreen for outdoor swimmers? We put nine sun lotions, mineral sunscreens and zinc sun sticks to the test
GREEN PEOPLE Mineral Sports+ SPF30 Sun Cream
£30
They say: Conquering your next run, diving into the waves or enjoying the thrill of horse riding? If you’re spectating or participating in outside sport, this mineral SPF is the one for you. Rich in ray-reflecting Zinc Oxide that offers high-factor defence against UVA and UVB sunlight, this sports sun cream is great for all skin types. There’s no need to wait about for your sun filters to absorb, this SPF protects from the moment you apply it! Did we mention it’s reef-safe, water repellent and has great staying power too, perfect for swimming and water sports.
We say: This was a dream to apply and smelt amazing. We wore it on an hour-long sea swim and it left our skin feeling moisturised and smooth. Knowing it’s ocean-safe is important for us swimmers as we want to protect the water we swim in. It also didn’t clog the skin, meaning our tester didn’t break out in the usual heat bumps. The light, non-greasy formula means it’s ideal for the face and can be worn daily.
LIFEJACKET Sun Protection Spray SPF50
£24
They say: A quick-dry and water resistant SPF 50+ sun protection spray for body, face and scalp. Originally designed for people with thinning or bald heads, the fluid get straights to your scalp, dries quickly and doesn’t leave any residue or whiteness. No hassle, no stinging eyes and no stickiness, the quick-dry oil spreads easily, glides onto the skin, absorbs quickly and doesn’t get stuck in hair. Perfect before a long period of sun exposure or if going out on the water because it doesn’t come off easily giving you strong protection no matter how hard you push it.
We say: This is a lovely light oil that does as exactly as promised, spreads easily and is quickly absorbed. The fact that it isn’t sticky meant our hands were free to adjust goggles and tow float on our river swim. We also tested the hair application, which works as well as it claims without being oily. The only thing we didn’t like was the direct spray style, more of a squirt than a mist-style spray.
SHADE All-Natural Sunscreen SPF25
£12.75
They say: Award winning product Shade All-Natural Sunscreen is an effective, natural mineral sunscreen. With only 4 ingredients to moisturise and protect skin from the broadest spectrum of damaging UVA and UVB rays, Shade has been developed to keep your skin naturally healthy whilst blocking rays that can burn and cause sun damage. Suitable for all skin types and all ages.
We say: We were intrigued by this mineral-based sunscreen, which contains only four ingredients – shea butter, coconut oil, zinc oxide and bees wax – yet promises to offer SPF25 protection and reflect 96% of harmful sun rays. The solid block, which comes in a metal tin, smells like coconut sweets and is easy to apply, leaving a matt sheen. Unlike other sunscreens we tried it’s not tested for water resistance, so while the high level of oil and wax means it stays on your skin in water, you need to reapply generously afterwards. It also doesn’t degrade neoprene!
PELOTAN SPF 30 Spray + 50ml Roll On
£30
They say: Pelotan is high-performance sun protection designed specifically to improve performance, maximise comfort and allow athletes to spend more time doing what they love without risking skin damage. Designed for use by athletes, it has been laboratory tested as lasting up to 8 hours at SPF 30, even with sweat. It is engineered for use in sports where the skin’s ability to breathe and sweat effectively is absolutely paramount. Pelotan’s unique formula binds with the skin without blocking pores, meaning your body can effectively regulate temperature.
We say: We tried Pelotan SPF 30 Spray and Roll On. Both are easy to apply and have a light coconut scent. Unlike some sun creams, it rubs in quickly and doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy. We tested it before a run on a hot day. If we weren’t paying attention because of the test, we would have forgotten we had any on. Sweating was normal. It’s a good choice for long swims and multisport. We will definitely use it for our next swimrun event.
ORGANII SPF 50 Sun Milk
£27.95
They say: The perfect sun protection for the whole family. Our certified organic SPF 50, fragrance free, mineral Sun Milk is suitable for babies, children and adults and will protect the most delicate skin from the harsh sun rays. It blends effortlessly and is quickly absorbed, leaving more time for fun in the sun. The high-protection formula has a fluid consistency so there is no residue left on the skin after application, while protecting your skin from the UVA & UVB rays naturally and safely. Non-nano Zinc Oxide and non-nano Titanium Dioxide sit on top of the skin, reflecting the Sun’s rays and creating a protective barrier.
We say: As you might expect from a SPF 50 mineral sunscreen, the Organic Sun Milk applies thickly and leaves a white cast on your skin initially, but it soon absorbs and we were surprised to discover that our skin felt soft rather than sticky. In fact, it did seem to have a lasting moisturising effect, thanks to the nourishing natural oils, which we felt grateful for after a lido swim. Although it’s pricey, you only need to use a small amount on your skin.
SUNTRIBE Zinc Sun Stick
£16.31
They say: An all natural zinc sunscreen that stays on in both big waves and sweaty activities on land. Doesn’t contain any questionable ingredients and free from chemicals that harm coral reefs, it also won’t cause a mess on your fingers or sting if it gets in the eyes. Made with Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, this reef safe sports sunscreen creates a protective shield on top of your skin from the first moment of application. Unparalleled water resistance and high performance functionality loved by professional athletes and everyday adventurers.
We say: This water resistant and sweat resistant Zinc Sun Stick is a push-up stick, that you can apply to key areas of your face that might get sun damage while in the water such as the nose, cheeks, ears and lips. It comes in five colours, which show on your skin rather than being absorbed. We tested the ‘mud tint’, which is a discrete brown tone that blends in with your natural skin tones. Easy to apply, it didn’t leave us with sticky hands to smear on our goggles and the precise application meant it was one of the only sunscreens tested that didn’t cause issues for nose clip wearers.
THE INTREPID EXPLORER Travel Size Sunscreen SPF 50
£16.99
They say: Embark on sun-soaked escapades with our SPF 50 Moisturising Sunscreen. Our special broad spectrum cream formula not only protects you from the sun, but keeps your skin nourished. Designed for maximum protection against UVA and UVB rays. Good for the whole family including sensitive skin. The Travel Size (60ml) is practical and lightweight and ideal for cyclists, campers, climbers and other intrepid explorers, weekend adventurers and daring day trippers who need a natural hair and body wash but need to travel light.
We say: Although still offering a SPF 50 protection, The Intrepid Explorer Sunscreen had thinner consistency to other liquid sunscreens on test, which meant that it rubbed in instantly and had a barely-there feel. Without having to check with friends if you still had a white layer sitting on your skin, this sunscreen felt much quicker to apply and left less of a sheen. Our skin felt soft and moisturised and we weren’t left feeling sticky.
SEVENTY ONE The Invisible Face Sun Stick SPF50
£17.90
They say: At SeventyOne Percent, we are proud to offer you natural and environmentally friendly sunscreen products. We use natural ingredients such as karanja oil, shea butter and coconut oil to protect your skin against harmful UV rays. The Invisible Face Sun Stick SPF50 is high invisible sun protection for outdoor enthusiasts. It has an ocean-friendly eco formula developed and tested, is very resistant to water and perspiration and has an invisible and non-sticky texture.
We say: This handy sun stick is super easy to apply – especially on young children as you don’t need to rub it in – doesn’t feel sticky and is immediately transparent. It’s ideal for applying to sensitive areas such as the face, lips, shoulders and scars and is very water resistant. It also smells delicious and has a moisturising effect thanks to the mango butter, jojoba and mimosa wax. We liked its convenient size, which fits easily in a pocket.
GREEN PEOPLE SPF15 Sun Cream with Natural Insect Repellent
£30
They say: Demand more from your sun care when you choose this dual-action certified organic sun cream with natural insect repellent. Designed to ‘do it all’, SPF15 shields against sun damage while DEET-free Citrepel 75 provides PMD-powered protection against mosquitoes, midges and more for up to 4 hours. And that’s with just one application! Non-whitening, non-nano SPF15 Zinc Oxide provides medium mineral sun protection against UVA and UVB rays. Perfect for early starts and evening strolls!
We say: Insects can be a nightmare beside the water in summer, so we were excited to test this on a hot day in Finland. While the product isn’t water resistant (you will need to apply after your swim) it was ideal for before and after. Not only is it moisturising and leaves skin smelling fresh, it also kept biting insects at bay with its DEET-free formula. Ideal for kids, as you don’t have to apply lotions twice.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Click here to subscribe to the magazine. Read more Outdoor Swimmer gear reviews.
Jo Tinsley
Jo is the Gear Editor for Outdoor Swimmer and also writes news and features for the website. A keen open water swimmer and long-distance walker, she loves seeking out lakes and lidos close to her home in the Mendip Hills, Somerset. She is the author of The Slow Traveller, editor and founder of independent magazine, Ernest, and has previously tested outdoor clothing and kit for BBC Countryfile Magazine, BBC Focus and Ernest Journal.
