Best waterproof sunblocks

I'm not an open water swimmer, but I surf and windsurf for hours on end in the hot sun and have tried a ton of supposedly waterproof sunblocks. I like Banana Boat SPF 30 (orange tube) because it doesn't run in my eyes and make them light sensitive like some others, and it seems to last about forever. It's a disappearing white cream as opposed to the amber Gator gel styles. It's also relatively inexpensive and widely available (read: At Walmart). Good luck.

I never used sun blocks, never really bothered by the sun I love it. When I train open water I swim in the morning or late afternoon. Never swim near noon, sun rays. During a race I never give it a thought. I usually get a great morning or late afternoon tan before I raced. Even though I am fair skinned and have freakles on my back.

Originally posted by geochuck I never used sun blocks, never really bothered by the sun I love it. When I train open water I swim in the morning or late afternoon. Never swim near noon, sun rays. During a race I never give it a thought. I usually get a great morning or late afternoon tan before I raced. Even though I am fair skinned and have freakles on my back. Oh man, you are just ASKING for skin cancer. :( I use the Coppertone Sport sunblock when I cycle, ski, or swim and love it. It isn't all oily and it doesn't burn my sensitive skin like some other lotions.

I use BullFrog. I used it when I was teaching swim lessons and in the water for 3 hours a day and it was great. I never had to re-apply or anything.

My dermatologist is adamant about sunblock, makes me put it on for a 10 minute walk from her office back to the main hospital where I work. Living in Florida for more than 30 years, and loving the sun, has contributed to my severely sundamaged skin. I have to have painful acid peels on my arms to keep it under control, Efudex doesn't work anymore. A sunblock with titanium or zinc is what you should be looking for. Bullfrog makes one, it leaves a white residue on your skin but that is preferable to cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions. Also, lipstick is important. It is easy for a woman to find a product with an SPF, for men, Burt's Bees makes one called Lifeguard's Choice.

I think geochuck's advice is really important: the BEST protection from sunburn is a suntan acquired by slow and progressive exposure to the sun, as he describes it, in the morning and late afternoon when the sun is not it's strongest. That doesn't mean we don't need sunscreen - we do! Just that if you have a base tan, this will protect you somewhat from damaging sun rays. As for the best sunscreen - I'm no expert. I usually just buy the cheapest so that I can apply it (and reapply it) liberally. Ciao! :cool:

Originally posted by jdut Just be careful not to apply said lotion with bare hands then fiddle with your goggles. THAT makes for a long day! I bring baby wipes (when my kids were littler and I had them around) or something like that to get the stuff completely off my hands. Also, if you put lotion on your face, don't do it right before you start- your goggles won't sit well atop goop (swedes, anyway, in my experience). Plus, remember to protect your eyes with UV blocking goggles... Good advice! Always use sunscreen and UV blocking goggles AND good sunglasses. After years of 20/20 vision I find myself at 48 yrs old with cataracts in both eyes. The doc said that years of sun exposure could have brought them on early. He also said that cheap sunglasses are worse than unprotected eyes. With the former, we have a false sense of protection but with the latter at least we squint. So...protect yourselves, outdoor swimmers!

Just be careful not to apply said lotion with bare hands then fiddle with your goggles. THAT makes for a long day! I bring baby wipes (when my kids were littler and I had them around) or something like that to get the stuff completely off my hands. Also, if you put lotion on your face, don't do it right before you start- your goggles won't sit well atop goop (swedes, anyway, in my experience). Plus, remember to protect your eyes with UV blocking goggles...