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If you or your family love water sports – swimming, water skiing, snorkelling – then the allure of waterproof sunscreens is hard to resist. Factor in hot weather, tropical heat or perspiration and and you’ll want to know that your sunscreen is performing. There is a fair amount of confusion as to what constitutes a waterproof sunscreen and this article will help you to decide in choosing the formulation that will suit your needs. The truth is that a truly waterproof sunscreen doesn’t exist and you may be putting yourself and your family at risk for sunburns, long term skin damage, including skin cancer if you buy into labelling applied by sunscreen manufacturers.

Waterproof vs Water Resistant Sunscreens

Since 2002, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has implemented regulations that require companies to eliminate the use of the word “waterproof” when referring to sunscreens. Labelling a product as a waterproof sunscreen is misleading, because sunscreens cannot be formulated to stay on the skin forever. Despite this regulation, you’ll still find sunscreens labelled as waterproof so it’s important to understand what kind of protection you’re actually getting.

The FDA considers a sunscreen to be “water resistant” if it maintains its SPF level after 40 minutes of water exposure. And instead of waterproof, the FDA has recommended use of the term “highly water resistant “ or “very water resistant”. You may still find sunscreens labelled as waterproof, which technically means it is highly water resistant. This means that the sunscreen will maintain its SPF level after 80 minutes of exposure to water. If you are planning on pursuing an outdoor activity that includes exposure to water, you may want to choose one that is labelled as such. After 80 minutes in the water, it’s time to reapply.

Waterproof Sunscreens To Choose

New technology allows manufacturers to formulate sunscreens that adhere well to skin. Waterproof or water resistant sunscreens may feel a bit heavier than those that are not water resistant. This feature does give them staying power. In choosing a sunscreen that will deliver for your water activities, ensure that it affords broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays and that it is photostable, meaning that the sun filters will hold up against exposure to sunlight. Lastly, consider applying a minimum of SPF 30, especially if you are fair skinned and have a tendency to burn. Choose from a selection of water resistant sunscreens as found in the line of Anthelios sunscreens by La Roche Posay.

Whether you are looking for the best sunscreen for your favorite sport, such as swimming, the features of an effective sunscreen always remains the same:

1. Broad spectrum UVA and UVB blocking ability. This will ensure that you are protected against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays lead to tanning and sunburns; UVA rays are problematic because they penetrate deeper leading to more longer term skin damage such as age spots, wrinkles and leathery skin. Both types of rays can cause skin cancer. Choose a minimum of SPF 30 protection.
2. Photostability. Photostability ensures that your sunscreen will not degrade upon exposure to sunlight and maximizes its effectiveness.
3. Pleasant texture. Sunscreens that are thick, greasy and occlusive will block pores, leaving a white, oily cast to your skin and cause discomfort. Sure, they might afford protection, but you will be uncomfortable and less likely to use it when you most need it. Never mind, trying to get it on a child the second time around!

Practice Sun Safety First

Most experts will agree that using sunscreen is important, after you do everything you can to minimize exposure to the sun. Practice these sun smart habits while swimming to avoid sunburn and long term damage:

1. Swim either early in the morning or late in the evening; the sun causes the most damage to your skin between the hours of 10am and 4pm
2. Protect your scalp; wear a swim cap to protect your scalp from the sun
3. Wear eyeglasses or UV goggles to protect eyes. 

How to Apply Best Sunscreens For Swimming

Effective sunscreens may be either one of two types – chemical or physical. Physical sunscreens include ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and sit on top of the skin deflecting UV rays away from your body. Chemical sun filters interact with your skin’s top layer absorbing UV rays and rendering them harmless. Both types of sunscreens are effective, but whichever you choose, ensure that you are maximizing its effectiveness by applying correctly:

1. Apply sunscreen to your entire body, not forgetting lips and hands, which are also prone to sun burn and sun damage.
2. Apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before sun exposure.
3. Reapply water resistant sunscreens every 80 minutes or so, after being in the water or perspiring heavily.
4. Lighter skinned individuals burn faster so if you are lighter skinned you may want to opt for a product offering a higher SPF. 

The Best Sunscreens for Swimming are Water Resistant

Though some sunscreens market themselves as being waterproof, there really is no such thing as a water proof formula. The best you can hope for is one that is water resistant or highly water resistant. These sunscreens will deliver effective protection for up to 80 minutes in the water or after heavy perspiration.

By choosing the best sunscreen for swimming you can enjoy your time in the water knowing that you’re protected not only against sunburns but also from the more serious consequences of UV exposure such a skin cancer.

The best sunscreens for swimming include brands like Anthelios, which provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB, photostable protection in pleasant to use formulations:

Anthelios W SPF 40 Gel - a highly water resistant formulation that is especially suited to water sports and activity

Anthelios Lip Stick SPF 50+ - don’t forget lips with this highly effective and convenient lip balm

Anthelios XL SPF 40 or 50+ Spray - water resistant and ease of use.

Many people choose to keep their bodies healthy and in good shape by taking time every day to run.  Some choose to take this even further and enter a running competition such as a marathon.  While nobody would disagree that being active is important to staying healthy, what most people forget is that it’s important to protect skin as well from immediate and long-term damage.  If you’re a runner, especially one training for a marathon, there are some things you should keep in mind.

It’s important that runners take the time to apply sunscreen everyday before they train or race. Most distance runners spend an hour or more each day running in the sun, so it’s essential that your skin be protected.  While ideally you should wear sunscreen each day regardless of your activities, it’s especially important for runners as most are training for their marathons during warm months when the sun is providing the most direct, intense exposure.  Although runners are mostly concerned with preventing sunburns that may be severe enough to delay their training, it is just as important that you protect your skin from cancer and premature aging.  That’s why when wondering what is the best sunscreen for running, that you should select a sunscreen that offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Unlike many sunscreens that only provide UVB protection, Anthelios Sunscreen with Mexoryl XL and Mexoryl SX provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection that is why many individuals consider it to be the best sunscreen for running.

While it’s important to cover exposed skin with sunscreen before your feet start pounding the pavement, it’s also important that you are wearing the appropriate clothing to protect your skin.  The sun’s harmful rays can pass through traditional clothing as it only offers an SPF of 4, which means your skin can still be at risk for damage.  Due to the amount of time spent in the sun, runners can choose special clothing that provides full protection.  There are clothes specifically designed for runners that provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays, while remaining lightweight and containing ventilation to help keep the runner cool.

Runners, whether in short distances or in a marathon, sweat a lot during training and in the actual race. The best sunscreen for running will be sweat proof (or water resistant).  This is sunscreen that is specifically designed for running and other sporting activities.  Instead of being easily washed off your skin by your sweat, the sunscreen remains in place and provides you with the protection you need.

In addition to being water resistant, the best sunscreens for running will have long durability, as there is no time to stop during training or a race to reapply sunscreen.  So look for ingredients that are photostable, meaning that they won’t break down in the sun. The Mexoryl XL or SX found in Anthelios sunscreens is highly photostable, meaning that you won’t have to worry about how well your sunscreen is protecting you.

Running marathons is growing in popularity as more and more individuals take the time to train and participate in the many marathons held every year around the world.  While running can be a great boost to your overall health, it is important you protect your skin as well by choosing the best sunscreen for running. Anthelios sunscreen with Mexoryl XL and Mexoryl SX is one of the best sunscreens for running available on the market today.

One of the things that many skiers fail to pack for a skiing trip is a bottle of sunscreen.  So instead, they wait until they arrive at their destination to purchase any old brand from a local shop or they simply skip the sunscreen altogether and hit the slopes.  Skiing can be a lot of fun but it can also cause immediate and long-term damage to your skin if you fail to take the proper precautions.  While you may assume that any sunscreen will provide you with protection, it’s important that you select a sunscreen that will deliver during the conditions found while skiing at high altitudes. 

The best sunscreens for skiing must provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays.  Most sunscreens don’t offer this protection as they protect only against UVB.  This means that you are only protected from getting a sunburn, and you are not protected from getting skin cancer or having premature aging of the skin.  The best sunscreen for skiing, such as Anthelios sunscreen, will protect you from both, which is important when skiing due to the fact the sun reflects off the snow increasing your exposure.

When selecting the best sunscreen for skiing it’s also important that you get one that is made for high altitudes as different protection is needed the higher up you are.  At higher altitudes you have more direct exposure to the sun simply because you are physically closer to it.  This is why it is important that you select a sunscreen that offers higher SPF protection.  One of the best sunscreens for skiing that offers this is Anthelios sunscreens that can offer an SPF of 60. 

It is also important that when you go skiing you remember to moisturize. Air tends to be drier at higher altitudes and this will have an impact on your skin since dry skin burns faster than moist skin.  So using sunscreen becomes even more important! Anthelios sunscreens prevent it from the drying effect of the sun and it is also photostable, meaning that it doesn’t degrade when it comes into contact with the sun. You’ll be protected all day if you choose to use Anthelios sunscreens, which many experts claim is the best sunscreen for skiing. 

Look for Anthelios sunscreens by La Roche Posay and choose from SPFs ranging from 30 to 60 in a range of formulations. From creams to sprays and lotions, Anthelios offers some of the best sunscreens for skiing due to the complete protection it provides from UVA and UVB rays. Make sure when you pack for your next skiing vacation that   Anthelios sunscreen goes with you so that you can enjoy the slopes without any worries from the sun this year and many years to come in the future.