Looking for the best way to protect your skin while swimming? Then you need a waterproof sunscreen! Here are some to consider, as well as advice on protecting the aquatic environments you may be swimming in

By Helen Webster

Published: Friday, 30 June 2023 at 12:00 am

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Swimming outdoors is one of the best things about summer – whether you’re swimming for fun or training and competing in events.

Looking after our skin and protecting it from harmful rays is crucial though ­­– even more so when we’re in the water.

The cooling effect of the water can often make us think we are not burning, plus if getting in and out of water several times it can be easy to forget to reapply your sun lotion as the day goes on, so these are both things to be aware of.

NHS guidelines in the UK recommend a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB and at least 4-star UVA protection, so all products listed below adhere to these standards.

For swimming, you should also choose products which are suitable for use in the water and reapply frequently, especially if towelling dry or showering in between swims.

You should also consider whether your cream is harmful to aquatic life.

While nobody wants a film of sunscreen on the surface in the pool (and is one of the reasons you should shower before getting in the pool, then reapply sunscreen), it’s even more important to think about any impact on the environment when swimming in open water.

Caring for marine life

In 2018, Hawaii became the first nation to ban sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, both harmful to marine life. An alternative is ‘mineral’ sunscreens, which use tiny mineral particles to block the sun’s rays, or non-mineral sunscreens which avoid these chemicals.

Note that you should be cautious around ‘reef-safe’ branding though, as there’s no approved protocol for using this label. Instead research the ingredients carefully or look for ‘Hawaii Act 104 Reef Compliant’ products, such as the range from Sun Bum.

We also want to protect other environments, so if swimming in lakes or rivers, always consider the products you are using on your body first – including sunscreen, wetsuit lube and any other hair or facial products.

• Best sunscreen for runners in 2023

Sunscreen routine tips

Once you’ve chosen your sunscreen, how can you use it as part of a routine to best protect yourself from the sun?

Here are a few things to bear in mind and some other tips that can help, though check out the NHS and Cancer Research UK websites for more guidance.

• Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas 30 minutes before – and then again just before – going outside, making sure to fully cover all exposed areas, including the edges of your swimsuit/shorts, which may move as you swim.
• Obviously covering up is the best form of defence when swimming – if in a wetsuit then that will cover most of your skin, but if it’s too warm for a wetsuit then you can add a long-sleeved swim top over your swimsuit/jammers.
• Make sure you get tricky-to-reach areas and cover parts that may be more exposed when you swim than usual (such as the soles of your feet) and don’t forget the sun’s races can bounce off the sides and bottom of pools etc to burn you.
• If swimming in a tri-suit, then make sure the fabric is thick enough to protect you from the sun’s rays. Some very lightweight suits use mesh fabric for breathability that will need sunscreen applying underneath them, especially on the arms and back.
• Keep sunscreen in transition if doing a long-distance triathlon and re-apply it. Better to take a little time to do that than to burn, especially if you are a more ‘relaxed’ pace athlete and likely to be out all day!
• Remember to protect your eyes too, by wearing a good set of swimming goggles with an appropriate tint/coating for the conditions you’re swimming in.

The best sunscreens for swimming in 2023

RIEMANN P20 Original SPF50 +Plus Spray

P20 has long been a staple in our kit bag and we’ve chosen the SPF50 version here for the best coverage (though lower SPF versions are also on sale from the same outlets).

Here in a 200ml spray size which offers easy application, Riemann say it offers high performance plus sweat resistance. The once-a-day UVA and UVB sun filter provides 10 hours of medium sun protection with factor 50+ and is still quoted as being 90% effective after swimming.

P20 is designed to stay on the skin longer than average sunscreens which makes it a good choice for swimmers and triathletes, but they do say that if rubbed off after towel drying or excessive sweating, for example, then re-apply and always follow the instructions carefully.