Practice Safe Sun: A Complete Sunscreen Guide for Athletes

By Kristan Kelly

on Mar 23, 2026

Proper sunscreen use is essential for athletes to protect their skin from sun damage, prevent burns, and maintain long-term skin health. Because athletes spend long hours training and competing outdoors, they are exposed to higher levels of UV radiation, which increases their risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Protecting your skin with the right sunscreen is a crucial part of maintaining your health while engaging in sports.

SPF meanings

SPF stands for sun protection factor, which measures how well a sunscreen can protect your skin from UVB rays. Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. For athletes, SPF 50 is the better choice because of the long amount of time spent out in the sun.

SPF 15: blocks about 93% of UVB rays

SPF 30: blocks about 97%

SPF 50: blocks about 98%

Key factors to look for in an athlete's safe sunscreen

Water-resistant formula: Sunscreens that are water-resistant are ideal for athletes, as they are designed to stay effective longer during sweating and exposure to water. Without having to worry about your sunscreen coming off too fast due to sweat, water-resistant formulas protect up to 80 minutes.

Higher SPF protection for your skin when you're out in the sun. SPF 50 is the best sunscreen to use when out in the sun, whether it's for one game or an all day tournament, SPF 50 provides one of the highest levels of protection by blocking a greater percentage of UV rays. Although no sunscreen is able to block 100% of UV rays, using the highest amount of SPF is the best way to ensure you are doing everything you can to protect your skin.

Reapplying sunscreen is essential when spending time outdoors. According to the FDA, sunscreen should be reapplied at least every 80 minutes to maintain effective protection. For athletes, this is especially important because sweat and physical activity can cause sunscreen to wear off more quickly, even when using water-resistant formulas. Choosing a water-resistant or higher SPF sunscreen can provide stronger protection, but regular reapplication is still necessary to keep your skin properly protected from the sun.

Mineral sunscreen instead of chemical sunscreen is the way to go. Mineral sunscreen has key ingredients such as Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide. Their mineral ingredients work as shields to protect your skin from UV rays. This is because the sunscreen sits on the surface of your skin, where it reflects and scatters UV rays away from your skin. Mineral sunscreens are usually opaque (not see-through) when applied and begin working immediately after application.

Often missed areas

When applying sunscreen, many people focus only on the obvious areas like the face, shoulders, and arms. However, there are several important spots that are often overlooked, even by athletes who spend extended time outdoors.

Missing these areas can leave your skin vulnerable to sun damage, so it’s important to be intentional about full coverage when applying sunscreen.

Commonly missed areas include:

Ears – The tops and backs of ears receive direct sun exposure but are often forgotten.
Back of the neck – Especially common for people with short hair or those wearing hats.
Scalp – Part lines or thinning areas can burn easily if not protected.
Lips – Lips are sensitive and need SPF protection to prevent sun damage.
Hands – Constantly exposed to sunlight but frequently missed during application.