Water-Resistant Sunscreen for Sports, Sweat & Swimming

Sunscreen should be an essential part of preparing for outdoor exercise, but most SPFs have the same problem: water, sweat, and a towel can wipe them away long before your activity ends.  A good water-resistant and/or sweat-resistant sunscreen is built to stay put when you move, so your skin keeps its protection while you do your thing. Whether you are chasing laps, chasing kids, or chasing a personal best, the right sweat-resistant sunscreen keeps working when regular SPF gives up.

What actually makes a sunscreen water-resistant

Here is the honest part: No sunscreen is truly waterproof. In the United States, the FDA does not allow the word "waterproof sunscreen" on labels at all. Instead, a formula earns a water-resistant rating of either 40 minutes or 80 minutes. That number tells you how long the SPF keeps performing while your skin is wet.

The rating is not a guess. A panel of 10 people apply the product, then sits in a whirlpool of moving water for 20-minute cycles. For an 80-minute rating, that cycle runs four times before the remaining SPF is measured on the skin. If the protection still holds, the product earns its badge. So when you shop for a water-resistant sunscreen, the 80-minute mark is the one you want for sports and swimming. A 40-minute formula still helps for a quick dip or a light sweat, but longer sessions call for the higher rating.

Want the full breakdown of water-resistant finishes and formats Our guide to the different types of sunscreen walks through sticks, brushes, lotions, and more.

Why does sweat make your sunscreen slide off

Sweat is sneaky. Not only does it make your face shiny, but also works against the thin protective film your sunscreen forms on the skin. Research on sweat resistance found that perspiration weakens that film in two ways. It washes some product away, and it moves the rest around unevenly, which leaves patchy spots where UV can slip through. That same study noted that a water-repelling film former in the formula helps the sunscreen hold its ground against sweat. You can read the sweat-resistance research here.

So a true sweatproof sunscreen does not exist, but a sweat-resistant sunscreen absolutely does. For anyone who runs hot, a formula tested to survive sweat and water is the smarter pick. That is the kind of sunscreen for working out that earns a spot in your gym bag.

What to look for in the best sunscreen for swimming and sports

Not every SPF belongs poolside. When you are picking the best sunscreen for swimming or a sunscreen for sports, a short checklist keeps you honest:

• 80-minute water resistance. The longest rating available, and the one built for real activity.

• Broad Spectrum SPF 50. Coverage against both UVA aging rays and UVB burning rays.

• A mineral, zinc oxide formula. All-mineral protection sits on skin and gets to work right away.

• A no-slip, non-greasy finish. A formula that stays comfortable through sweat is a formula you will actually reapply.

• Easy reapplication. Something you can swipe on fast, even with wet hands.

Ready to shop the category? Our water-resistant sunscreen collection gathers formulas made to move with you.

Meet the Sport Stick made for sweat, sun, and water

If you want one product that checks every box above, we recommend the Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Sport Stick SPF 50. It is water- and sweat-resistant for a full 80 minutes, the longest rating on our lineup. For comparison, our Face Shield formulas are water and sweat resistant for 40 minutes, so the Sport Stick is the one we suggest for long days in the water and hard-sweating sessions.

The stick delivers Broad Spectrum SPF 50 with a PA++++ rating, the top mark for UVA protection. (Curious what those pluses mean? Here is a quick primer on how the PA rating works.) Powered by EnviroScreen® Technology, this 100% mineral, zinc oxide formula goes past UV to shield skin from pollution, infrared radiation, and blue light too. A tinted sunscreen with iron oxides helps block blue light, and the Sport Stick carries iron oxides in its formula for exactly that reason.

Best of all, it feels good on skin. The stick glides on, blends to a dry-touch finish with no white cast across a wide range of skin tones, and skips the greasy, heavy feel that makes people skip reapplication. Jojoba esters and plant-based squalane add comforting hydration, so your skin stays soft while it stays covered. You can swipe it on your face, your body, even your lips, which makes it a natural travel companion for the court, the beach, and the pool. It is dermatologist-recommended, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic, and it earned a NewBeauty award for Best Sunscreen Stick.

It is dermatologist-recommended, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic, and it earned a NewBeauty award for Best Sunscreen Stick. Board-certified dermatologist Farhaad Riyaz, MD, calls it a daily essential, noting that it is mineral, sweat-resistant, and fits easily in a pocket without leaking or melting, making it a go-to for outdoor workouts and long rides. 

Wondering why a brush-on or stick from our line stands apart? Here are 11 things that make our mineral formulas unique.

How to keep your sunscreen from sweating off

Even the best formula needs a little strategy. Here is a simple routine for a sunscreen that doesn't sweat off before you are done:

1. Apply before you dress and before you sweat. Put it on 15 minutes before you head out, on clean, dry skin, so the film sets properly.

2. Be generous and even. Glide the Sport Stick across your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin, then blend outward with fingertips for full, even coverage.

3. Reapply at least every two hours. This holds true for any activity, in or out of the water.

4. Reapply right after swimming or heavy sweating. Toweling off takes product with it, so a quick re-swipe keeps you covered.

5. Do not forget the easy-to-miss spots. Ears, the back of the neck, and the tops of your feet catch more sun than you think.

Follow those steps and your sweat-resistant sunscreen will do its job from warm-up to cool-down. Keep the stick in your bag, not your hot car, so the formula holds its shape between uses.

Frequently asked questions

Is there such a thing as waterproof sunscreen? 

Not officially. The FDA does not permit the term "waterproof sunscreen" on labels. Formulas are rated water-resistant for 40 or 80 minutes instead, which tells you how long they hold up while your skin is wet.

How often should I reapply water-resistant sunscreen when swimming? 

Reapply at least every two hours, and again right after you swim, sweat heavily, or towel off. An 80-minute rating buys you time in the water, but it does not replace reapplication.

Is mineral sunscreen a good pick for sports? 

Mineral zinc oxide formulas like the Sport Stick SPF 50 sit on the skin and start protecting on contact. That, plus an 80-minute water and sweat-resistant rating, makes them a strong choice for active days.

Does the Sport Stick hold up for sweaty workouts? 

Yes. The Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Sport Stick SPF 50 is water and sweat resistant for 80 minutes, so it is well suited to running, training, and other sweat-heavy sessions when paired with regular reapplication.

Can I use water-resistant sunscreen on my face and body? 

The Sport Stick is made for full-face and body use, and it works on lips too. The stick format makes it easy to apply and reapply anywhere, from the sidelines to the shoreline.