Home > Running Gear

Picking the right sunscreen

464946703Summer officially starts on June 21, which is Saturday, and stores across the country are starting to catch up with runners and aisles are filling with sunscreen options. But how do you know what’s best? What should you buy?

Sunscreen may seem like a pretty simple topic, but it can get more complicated depending on how you intend to use it. A lazy afternoon in the park spent reading does not demand the same expectations of it’s sunscreen as a long run during the hottest days of summer. We’ve set aside some tips for picking the right sunscreen.

First, before you even pick up a bottle off the shelf, remember that simply applying a layer before heading out for an entire day in the sun is not enough. You need to reapply every two hours to stay protected. Also, not all clothes will adequately block you from the sun’s dangerous gaze. Some of your running gear may have fibres that block UVA and UVB rays, but many won’t. Check and see if you need to apply sunscreen under some of your clothing.

Go for high SPF, but don’t be fooled

A high SPF sunscreen is essential for prolonged periods in the sun but SPF is measured in strange ways that can be deceiving, so don’t get fooled. As SPF gets higher, you gain less protection per point. It’s measured as a length of how long you can stay in the sun without burning, relative to wearing no sunscreen at all. An SPF 2 sunscreen filters about about 70 per cent of UVB rays. Jump to 15 and it filters out 93 per cent. At SPF 50 a sunscreen will filter out about 98 per cent of UVB rays and anything above that is likely just a marketing gimmick. Sunscreen cannot be marketed as having an SPF level above 50 in the European Union.

Grab a broad spectrum lotion

Notice that SFU is a measure of the UVB rays a sunscreen filters, but UVA rays are also dangerous to our skin and need to be filtered, which is why it’s essential to make sure you buy broad spectrum sunscreen. Almost all sport sunscreens will be broad spectrum and a quick glimpse across the packaging should tell you for sure. Again, in the EU they are starting to require sunscreen to also carry a UVA protection level of at least one-third of the UVB protection.

Don’t bother with sunscreen that doesn’t protect you against UVA rays also. Your skin will thank you later.

Water resistant

As a runner, you’re going to be looking or something that won’t wash off when you sweat. Buy water- and sweat-resistant sunscreens. Some may advertise themselves as waterproof, but don’t completely believe it. There isn’t a truly waterproof sunscreen. All of them will wash off after extended time in the water or if you’re sweating a lot, but a good water resistant sunscreen should be fine for most of your runs and other summer activities.

A note for other, less active, summer outings: most sport sunscreens and water resistant sunscreens are sticky and unappealing for everyday use. They have to be to stay on your skin, so a second bottle of regular sunscreen for more casual days is also worth considering.

Pick your style

Sunscreens these days comes in many forms beyond the traditional lotion bottle. The spray is always a good option, but beware it can be tricky to put on your face or if it’s windy outside. Some sunscreen sticks, which work like deodorant sticks, can be useful for quick application on your face.

Think about what and how you’re going to be using it. If you’ll have time to evenly coat yourself before heading off on a run or if it needs to be used quickly and on the fly.

 

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

The best trainers in Canada under $150

We curated the best performance trainers under $150 to meet your 2024 running goals, while staying on budget