Sunscreen and Sweating: All You Need to Know

Sunscreen and Sweating: All You Need to Know

Learn all about the importance of sweat-resistant sunscreen and how to stay protected from the sun when you sweat.

What’s in this article?

Wearing sunscreen every day is an important step in protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays, but when you sweat, this can potentially negatively impact sunscreen’s effectiveness1. Learn more about how sweating impacts sunscreen and why using a water-resistant sunscreen can help to more reliably protect your skin from sun damage when you perspire.

How does sweating affect sunscreen’s effectiveness?

If you’ve applied sunscreen and then you wipe your skin while sweating outdoors on a hot sunny day, you’re not just wiping off perspiration; you’re wiping off your sunscreen too. But even without wiping your skin, sweat can negatively impact your sunscreen’s performance by getting displaced and unevenly redistributed on the skin from the running moisture1.

Using a water-resistant sunscreen can help keep sunscreen in place when sweating to help keep your sunscreen effective for longer.

How often should you reapply sunscreen if you’re sweating?

Premature skin aging – common signs of skin aging

The standard recommendation for sunscreen reapplication is to reapply every two hours that you’re exposed to the sun, but more frequently if swimming or sweating.

  • If you’re sweating heavily and briefly, reapply immediately after sweating.
  • If you’re experiencing prolonged sweating, like if you’re going for a long run, for example, reapplication may be needed more often based on how much you sweat, how long you’re active, and actions like wiping the skin, etc.

Different water-resistant sunscreens have different designations for how long they are considered to be effectively water-resistant (40 minutes or 80 minutes2), so be sure to follow the directions on your sunscreen’s drug facts box for water resistance information and specific application and reapplication instructions.

Does sweat proof sunscreen exist?

You may hear the term “sweat-proof sunscreen” used casually, but no sunscreen is truly waterproof or sweat-proof. Some sunscreens are formulated to be water-resistant, however, and these can help better protect skin that comes into contact with moisture than non-water-resistant sunscreens.

How are water-resistant sunscreens that can resist sweat different from regular sunscreens?

Water-resistant sunscreen and regular sunscreen are the same in the sense that they both help to protect skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, but their formulas react differently when moisture is present. Traditional sunscreen will easily run off when it comes into contact with water. Water-resistant sunscreen contains ingredients that help resist moisture by creating a film on the skin3 while still allowing the sunscreen’s sun-protective properties to remain effective.

Can you wear water-resistant sunscreens that can resist sweat in the water?

Water-resistant sunscreen can be worn in the water and can effectively protect your skin from the sun for a certain amount of time while you’re swimming or sweating. Refer to the packaging on your water-resistant sunscreen to see how long its water-resistant properties will last, and be sure to reapply after getting out of the water and toweling off.

The importance of water-resistant sunscreen that can resist sweat for athletes

When you’re gearing up for game day or your next half-marathon, having to worry about your sunscreen failing adds unnecessary stress. Using water-resistant sunscreen that can resist sweat can help outdoor athletes of all types to stay protected from the sun’s harmful ways while focusing on their performance.

For many outdoor sports, you’ll have time to take a break and reapply sunscreen periodically, but for runners, this can be a tricky process to manage. Here are some tips for keeping yourself protected from the sun while running.


Sweat-resistant sunscreen tips for runners

  • When going for a run, apply sunscreen as directed to all exposed areas of skin at least 15 minutes prior to sun exposure4.
  • Be sure to apply to areas that may become exposed during your run, like your arms if you start your run with a jacket and later take it off.
  • If you’re going on a longer run, carry a travel-sized water-resistant sunscreen with you to reapply as needed.
  • Be sure to reapply your sunscreen every two hours, and more frequently after sweating.
  • Be mindful of wiping your skin while running, and if you do wipe your skin, reapply your sunscreen afterward.
  • Use water-resistant sunscreens that can resist sweat in conjunction with other sun protection measures such as wearing protective clothing, avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours of the day, and seeking shade whenever possible.
External causes of premature skin aging

Water-resistant sunscreen that can resist sweat - application tips

Sunscreen can only be fully effective when applied properly. Here are some sunscreen application tips:

  • For sunscreen coverage on your body, use 1 ounce (two tablespoons or approximately one shot glass) of sunscreen5.
  • Apply liberally to all exposed areas of skin to ensure proper coverage, being careful to include commonly-missed areas like the backs of the hands, tops of the feet, and back of the neck.
  • Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes prior to sun exposure to allow the product to be the most effective.
  • Reapply at least every 2 hours, or more often if swimming or sweating.


Applying water-resistant sunscreen that can resist sweat to your face

For sunscreen on your face, use a nickel-sized amount5 and apply evenly to your face, ears, and neck, being careful not to get sunscreen in your eyes. You can apply all-over sunscreen to your face, or you may wish to select a water-resistant sport face sunscreen.

Coppertone® Sport Face Sunscreen Lotion is lightweight and stays on strong when you sweat. This breathable formula rubs on easily and provides Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 60+ sun protection, stopping up to 98% of damaging UV rays. This non-greasy sunscreen lotion won't clog pores, blends in clear on all skin tones, and is formulated with antioxidants vitamins E and C. It is free of Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, PABA, Parabens, Phthalates, and fragrance. Coppertone Sport Face Lotion 60+ is water resistant (80 minutes) and dries quickly.

Coppertone® Sport Face Sunscreen Lotion

Protecting your lips with sunscreen

When it comes to sunscreen application, lips need protection too, but you might not find it palatable to rub sunscreen onto them. Thankfully, you can use a lip balm with SPF to help moisturize lips while protecting them from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Coppertone® Sport Sunscreen Lip Balm with SPF 30 keeps lips hydrated and protected with broad spectrum SPF 30 UVA/UVB protection. Enriched with jojoba and shea butter, this lip balm works to hydrate lips while staying active in the sun. The fragrance-free, paraben-free lip balm is made without oxybenzone or octinoxate.

Coppertone® Sport Sunscreen Lip Balm with SPF 30

Get sweat-resistant sun protection with Coppertone Sport

Premature skin aging facts summary

Coppertone® Sport sunscreens are made with water-resistant formulas to offer durable sun protection for an active lifestyle. Available in a variety of sizes, SPF levels, and in both mineral and chemical formulas, Coppertone® Sport sunscreens are designed to provide sun protection on the go, whether you’re on the field, at the pool, on the slopes, and everywhere in between.

Coppertone® Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 is designed to stay on strong when you sweat, and this high-performance sunscreen lotion protects you from the sun with a durable and water resistant (80 minutes) sunscreen formula.. This Coppertone sunscreen lotion offers Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protection in a moisturizing formula.

Coppertone® Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Prefer a spray? Coppertone® Sport 4-in-1 Performance Sunscreen Spray is on your team. Available in SPF 15, SPF 30, and SPF 50, This durable sport sunscreen spray offers the same benefits of water resistance (80 minutes) as the lotion, but in a convenient, moisturizing spray format.
Coppertone® Sport Spray SPF 50
For those who prefer a mineral sunscreen, try Coppertone® Sport Mineral Sunscreen. Designed to stay on strong when you sweat, this high-performance mineral sport sunscreen provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection in a durable and water resistant (80 minutes) formula formulated with 100% naturally sourced Zinc Oxide. Also available in an SPF 50 spray.
Coppertone® Sport Mineral Sunscreen
Choose a sunscreen that can keep up with you with Coppertone® Sport.
Explore all Coppertone® Sports Sunscreens
The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice, nor is it intended to treat an underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided for educational purposes only on the benefits of sunscreen usage.

Sources

  1. Keshavarzi, F.; Knudsen, N. Ø.; Komjani, N. M.; Ebbesen, M. F.; Brewer, J. R.; Jafarzadeh, S.; Thormann, E. Enhancing the Sweat Resistance of Sunscreens. Skin research and technology: official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.13115.
  2. Research, C. for D. E. and. Questions and Answers: FDA Announces New Requirements for Over-The-Counter (OTC) Sunscreen Products Marketed in the U.S. FDA 2019.
  3. Shyr, T.; Ou-Yang, H. Sunscreen Formulations May Serve as Additional Water Barrier on Skin Surface: A Clinical Assessment. International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2015, 38 (2), 164–169. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12271.
  4. FDA. Sunscreen: How to help protect your skin from the sun. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun.
  5. Skin Cancer Foundation. Ask the Expert: How Much Sunscreen Should I Be Using on My Face and Body? - The Skin Cancer Foundation. The Skin Cancer Foundation. https://www.skincancer.org/blog/ask-the-expert-how-much-sunscreen-should-i-be-using-on-my-face-and-body.

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