Is Sunscreen Waterproof?

Sunscreen is not waterproof. The FDA does not allow sunscreens to label their products as waterproof or sweatproof. Why? No sunscreen is completely waterproof and these claims lead people to believe that they are getting more coverage and sun protection than they actually are. The standards for sunscreen products are labels, water resistant or sweat resistant. Fortunately, some sunscreen products are water resistant for up to 240 minutes (80 minutes is most common).

What Ingredients Make Sunscreen Water Resistant?

Sunscreen companies use a variety of ingredients to make their sunscreen water resistant. These components make it harder for the sunscreen's active ingredients to wash off your skin while in the water.  In order to wear the label, "Water Resistant", a sunscreen must pass a test to prove that it maintained SPF levels after exposure to water or sweat. (Learn more about SPF here: What Does SPF Stand For?) The FDA only allows claims of water resistance for 40 minutes or 80 minutes. Those sunscreens have to keep their SPF levels after exposure in a hot jacuzzi. This means that after 40 or 80 minutes in the water, the level of protection you receive from your sunscreen will begin to decrease. 

Australia offers a higher testing standard, the Australian 240-minute water resistant test. Only a few sunscreens in the US have tested and met this higher standard, one of which is TropicSport. We offer an entire line of natural and eco-friendly sunscreens.

Water Resistant Sunscreen: Best Mineral Sunscreen For Swimming

Sometimes we have to sacrifice one positive characteristic in order to make room for another. Deciding which is more important can be a challenge when both seem to be highly important. Should you look for a water resistant sunscreen with maximum protection from damaging ultraviolet radiation, or should you choose a product that is free from harmful chemicals and is not tested on animals?

Fortunately, in this case, it is possible to have both. TropicSport is made with eco-friendly ingredients like non-nano titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection even when wet. This means you’ll be safe from both UVA and UVB rays while you swim or workout outside, and you won’t be exposed to any scary chemicals.

If you want to stay away from chemical sunscreens, learn how to identify them in our Chemical vs. Mineral Sunscreen blog. We talk about the differences between the two types of sunscreen and why you want to use a Mineral one! Staying away from harmful chemicals is especially important when picking the best sunscreen for a baby.

At TropicSport, all of our sunscreens are paraben-free, oxybenzone-free, octinoxate-free, avobenzone-free, and octocrylene-free. Free of all chemical UV filters, we only use mineral active ingredients, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Rest assured, we never use animals to test our products, resulting in high-quality, cruelty-free sunscreen for our consumers.

How Much Sunscreen to Apply: How Often To Apply Sunscreen

One common reason that people continue to suffer from sunburned or damaged skin is that they don’t apply their sunscreen properly. They often forget to reapply or don't know how much sunscreen to apply in the first place! Follow the tips below for more effective protection from UV rays both in and out of the water.

• Use an SPF of at least 30.
• Use enough sunscreen to fill a shot glass for your entire body, apply it liberally anywhere the sun hits.
• Regardless of water resistance claims, reapply often, especially after swimming, sweating, or using a towel.
• Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside.
• Avoid spending too much time outdoors between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm when the sun is highest.
• Utilize hats, clothing, shade, and umbrellas for extra coverage.
• Keep an eye on the UV Index to know how much UV exposure is forecasted for the day

Learn more from TropicSport about proper sunscreen application, how sunscreen works, and other interesting sunscreen quick facts.

How to Remove Water Resistant Sunscreen?

You may want to remove your water resistant sunscreen for a number of different reasons after your day in the sun. To take off that water resistant sunscreen effectively, an oil based cleanser will work best. To remove sunscreen on your face, follow these steps:

1. Wash off your hands.
2. Massage your oil based cleanser wherever the water resistant sunscreen is. You can use grapeseed oil, coconut oil, olive oil, or even micellar water.
3. Rinse off and repeat until no sunscreen is left.

In order to take off water resistant sunscreen on your body, you should take a warm shower and use a natural soap. If the sunscreen is being stubborn, try using a body scrub to get it completely off. If that doesn't work, use the oil method.

When to Apply Sunscreen

Sunscreen should be a part of your routine on a daily basis, even during the winter. You should apply sunscreen year round, every day. Sunlight can still cause damage to the skin when there is cloud cover. It can also reach you through glass windows or reflect off of snow and bounce back, hitting you twice! For best results, you should apply sunscreen under your makeup and don’t rely on cosmetics and moisturizers for sun protection. With these items, it is rare to use enough product to adequately cover your skin. You should be using a dollop of sunscreen the size of a nickel for your face alone.

In addition to sunscreen products, TropicSport has a collection of natural skin care products for your face and body. That way you can be sure all your skin is taken care of with chemical-free moisturizers, lotions, cleansers, and scrubs for everything from your face to your toes. Check out TropicSport today to find your new favorite sunscreen and more.