Ageing gracefully is difficult for surfers, given our constant exposure to the sun. Luckily there’s a wealth of highly effective eco-friendly sunscreens that you can use to shield you from those killer rays. Check some of them out below and start taking care of the skin you’re in.
There are many things to be thankful for as a surfer. The invention of the thruster, budget surf camps on exotic Indonesian islands and chaff-free boardshorts to name just a few.
Perhaps the biggest thing we should be thankful for though is sunscreen - the unsung hero of ever surfer’s day-to-day arsenal. When we talk about surf travel essentials, it generally plays second fiddle to more glamourous items. Such as your surfboard, your fins and even your wetsuit.
With France in the top 20 for skin cancer rates around the world though, we here at Southwest Surf House thought it would be worth talking a little bit about it. So we’ve put together a list of some of the most effective eco-friendly sunscreens available on the market.
Keep in mind, the team here at our surf house in Hossegor have only selected high-quality sunscreen brands. With an emphasis on those that offer sun protective factor (SPF) 30 or higher whilst also defending against both UVA and UVB rays.
Kōkua Sun Care – SPF 50
Packed with 7 Hawaii-grown antioxidant ingredients and totally reef safe, Kōkua Sun Care is a natural zinc sunscreen that leads the pack when it comes to performance and protection. It rubs on just like moisturising lotion which makes it ideal for everyday use. While its water-resistant qualities ensure you can surf with confidence knowing you won’t be exiting the water with third degree sunburns.
Suntegrity Natural Mineral Sunscreen – SPF 50
Suntegrity Natural Mineral Sunscreen is regarded as one of the best sunscreens for sports professionals on the market. It’s broad spectrum which means it protects against UVA and UVB rays, plus its free of harmful chemicals that can damage delicate corals. The fact its non-greasy and easy to apply with a pleasant citrus scent also means you’ll be the best smelling and most sun safe person in the lineup.
Raw Elements Certified Natural Sunscreen – SPF 30
When talking about eco-friendly sunscreen you can’t go past Raw Elements Certified Natural Sunscreen. Made from all-natural ingredients and offering total protection from the sun, it’s sunscreen for the intelligent and environmentally aware surfer. It’ll even keep shielding your skin long after you’ve stepped into the shade, thanks to the huge range of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and extracts found within it. Did we also mention it can be applied underwater?
Sun Bum performance sunscreen – SPF 40
Sun Bum performance sunscreen is oil free, cruelty free and petroleum free, but no less effective than some of is more juiced up competitors. You won’t look like a Geisha guy or gal while wearing it either, since it rubs on clear. The rough exfoliating texture, however, means you’ll know where you’re rubbing it in when you don’t have a mirror. Like other sunscreens on this list, Sun Bum is also broad spectrum. Providing you with peace of mind when you’re shredding under a hot sun.
MANDA Organic Sun Paste – SPF 50
Last but definitely not least we’ve got Manda – an organic zinc that substitutes chemicals with ingredients such as thanaka and papaya. Keeping your skin feeling soft and moisturised and removing dead cells in the process. It also smells ridiculously good, like you could spread it on your toast as a substitute for jam. Rather than eat it though, we suggest applying it about 20 minutes before you paddle out. You can then rest assured it’ll remain on your skin for hours post application. To the point you might even need wet-wipes to get it off.
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