Do You Really Need Water-Resistant Sunscreen In Summer?

TL;DR

Water-resistant sunscreen can be especially useful during summer activities that involve swimming or sweating.
Water resistance does not mean sunscreen is waterproof or that it lasts all day without reapplication.
Sunscreens can be labeled water resistant for either 40 or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating.
Blue Lizard Sport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 provides 80 minutes of water resistance for active days outdoors.

You apply sunscreen before heading outside. Then summer happens. Maybe you’re swimming, playing a sport, or simply sweating on a hot day. So, do you really need water-resistant sunscreen?

If swimming or sweating is part of the plan, the answer is probably yes. Water-resistant sunscreen is designed to maintain protection while you’re in the water or working up a sweat.

But what does “water-resistant” actually mean, and when do you really need it? Let’s take a look.

First, what does “water resistant” actually mean?

Before deciding whether you need it, it helps to know what it actually does. No sunscreen is truly waterproof or sweatproof; that claim isn’t allowed on labels anymore, and for good reason.

Instead, water-resistant sunscreen is designed to maintain its stated SPF protection for a specific amount of time while you’re swimming or sweating.

The two common ratings you’ll see are 40 minutes and 80 minutes. Water resistance becomes especially relevant whenever moisture and activity might otherwise cause sunscreen to wear away.

Water-resistant doesn’t mean your sunscreen has superpowers. It just means it can keep providing protection for a certain amount of time when water or sweat enters the picture.

Swimming this summer? water resistance is much needed

If your summer includes pool days, beach trips, water parks, or afternoons at the lake, this is the clearest case for water-resistant sunscreen.

Being in and out of the water can affect how well sunscreen stays on your skin, which is exactly why a water-resistant formula makes sense for these kinds of days.

Blue Lizard Sport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is one option built with this in mind, offering 80 minutes of water resistance for time spent in and around the water.

You don’t have to be swimming to sweat off your sunscreen

You don’t need to cannonball into a pool for water resistance to come in handy. Sometimes, summer does enough sweating for you.

Outdoor workouts, sports, hiking, festivals, or just walking around all day in the heat can all lead to enough sweat to affect your sunscreen.

If sweating is a likely part of your day, a water-resistant sunscreen may be worth considering, even without a drop of pool water in sight.

What if you’re just sitting outside?

Not every summer day calls for it, though. If you’re sitting on a patio, reading at the park, running errands, water resistance may not be the deciding factor.

Sunscreen and proper reapplication are still important, but the water-resistant feature specifically is more about how your sunscreen holds up against moisture and movement.

In other words, summer doesn’t automatically mean everyone needs water-resistant sunscreen. Your activities should help determine whether water resistance is a feature you actually need.

40 minutes or 80 minutes: how long does it last?

When you do need it, it helps to know what the numbers mean:

A 40-minute rating means the sunscreen is tested to maintain protection during 40 minutes of swimming or sweating.
An 80-minute rating provides a longer period of water resistance during those same activities.
Neither one means you can apply sunscreen once in the morning and forget about it.

Think of the water-resistance rating as a reminder to keep an eye on your sunscreen, not a reason to leave the bottle at home.

Even water-resistant sunscreen needs a reapplication plan

Water resistance can stretch your protection during activity, but it doesn’t replace a reapplication routine. A few basics to keep in mind:

Apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before heading outside.
Use about 1 ounce, or a full shot glass, for the body.
Use approximately 1/4 teaspoon for the face.
Reapply at least every 2 hours.
Reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating if you’re using an 80-minute water-resistant sunscreen.
Reapply after towel drying.

Water-resistant sunscreen can stay with you longer during activity, but it doesn’t eliminate the need to reapply.

So, do you really need water-resistant sunscreen?

It depends on what your summer looks like. If you’re swimming, exercising, playing sports, hiking, or regularly sweating outdoors, water resistance can be a particularly useful feature to look for.

If you’re spending time outdoors without getting wet or particularly sweaty, a broad-spectrum sunscreen applied and reapplied correctly can still be part of your sun-protection routine.

For summer days that involve plenty of movement, sweat, Blue Lizard Sport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection and 80 minutes of water resistance.

Make sun protection part of the summer plan

Summer plans can change quickly. One minute you’re relaxing outside, and the next you’re jumping in the pool, playing a game, or working up a sweat.

That’s why it helps to choose a sunscreen that fits what your day has in store. If swimming, sweating, or other active outdoor plans are on the agenda, a water-resistant sunscreen can help you stay protected along the way.

Just don’t forget: water-resistant doesn’t mean apply once and forget about it. Reapply as directed, and enjoy your summer plans while playing it sun safe.