Sunscreen that stays?

For swims lasting under 2 hours, I use Banana Boat Sport 50 spray, usually two coats. Over 2 hours, I use Coppertone Kids pure and simple 50, which has zinc oxide in it. That is probably the most important ingredient to look for.

If you are looking for 2-4 hours of open water coverage SolRx, Prosport 44, Banana Boat, or Bull Frog Gel. If you have fair skin, then apply 2 coats about 30-45 minutes apart. Or with very fair skin you can apply a top coat of Zinc Oxide or Desatin.

Desitin (zinc oxide). Thick, white cream for diper rash. It works great as a sunblock and helps with chafing. It is hard to get off and will stick to everything. Use baby oil and a rag to wipe it off. It will stay on for hours.

This is very helpful as I will be doing an open water swim in mid-May. I have very little open water experience and this will be my longest (a whopping 5k). I got some race information via email a few days ago and it contained this: Body marking will be available from 5:30 to 7:00 (5K), 6:15-6:45 (10k), and 8:15-8:45 (1 mile). For timing purposes it is very important to have your number in two places: 1.on both arms 2.left upper thigh Athletes may pre-body mark themselves if using sunscreen. Am I correct in interpreting this as I should put my number on myself in those two places before putting on sunscreen? (Or wait to put on sunscreen until after I'm marked?)

Awesome thanks y'all. Of course after I posted this, several related threads showed up (despite my searching). Good new info though. :) And EKW that's a great question.

Am I correct in interpreting this as I should put my number on myself in those two places before putting on sunscreen? (Or wait to put on sunscreen until after I'm marked?) In Steven Munatones OW Swim book, he suggests that if you apply sunscreen before getting marked, the ink might run when you get into the water. I can't say that I've ever had a problem with the number running off, though; usually the number stays on for a few days after the swim. Make sure they use a fat marker

In Steven Munatones OW Swim book, he suggests that if you apply sunscreen before getting marked, the ink might run when you get into the water. I can't say that I've ever had a problem with the number running off, though; usually the number stays on for a few days after the swim. Make sure they use a fat marker I had exactly this problem at the 2012 La Jolla Rough Water Swim. Prior to being marked, I had slathered on the sunscreen and as soon as the gal started marking me, you could see the ink breaking down. She asked me if I had sunscreen on, to which I said "Yes". She grabbed a bottle of what smelled like Windex, sprayed and wiped off all of the numbers (arm, hand, back) and marked me again. I reapplied sunscreen when everything was dry and the numbers still faded a bit, but they were readable. I guess it might depend on what type of marker is being used. The ones they were using appeared to be big, flat Sharpie markers. Oh, I almost forgot. I use Bullfrog gel. Smells awful, but works really well. Not a hint of a burn even during a 2-mile OW swim. :D

I am voting with greg of boston light - desitin is excellent AND it gets on everything. the trick is to get someone else for application. i'll pack a bottle of baby oil in the future. it only annoys me on the swim goggles. happy swimmin'

Thanks for the info. I will plan to sunscreen up except for the marking areas, get marked, and then add the rest of the sunscreen.