The 90s kids always had a fascination with the whitish substance cricketers used to apply to their faces during a match. Kids used to act like them by applying a simple face powder. However, the kids didn’t know what the whitish substance was and why it was used. As they grew up, they came to know that the whitish substance is nothing but sunscreen. This article will give you insights into the top 20 best sports sunscreens.
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Why do players use sunscreen?
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Cricketers always get exposed to sunlight and that too for hours and if it is a Test match, the duration gets counted in days. Cricketers or any person getting exposed to the sunlight for a large period is a bit dangerous. The sunlight contains ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC) rays. The third one gets filtered by the earth’s atmosphere, but not the first two. These two pose a great danger to human skin if exposed for a longer duration.
UVA Rays can penetrate the deepest layer of the skin and cause premature aging. It is more dangerous as its effect goes unnoticed initially. UVB rays cause burning and tanning by damaging the outer layer of the skin.
- Hence to protect the skin from any damage by these harmful rays, players apply sunscreen.
What is Sunscreen?
There are two types of sunscreens. One does not use zinc oxide while the other has zinc oxide as a major ingredient. The first one offers very little protection against harmful UVA and UVB, while the one with zinc oxide is the best in the business.
Top 20 Best Sports Sunscreens
BANANA BOAT Ultra Mist Sports Sunscreen
BANANA BOAT Ultra Mist Sunscreen is of SPF 30 type. It has Avobenzone (2.0%), Homosalate (6.0%) and Octocrylene (6.0%). The sunscreen is water resistant for up to 80 minutes and is invisible, so no need to worry about your looks. It needs to be applied after every two hours to keep yourself safe from harmful rays. This is the best option if you are an athlete and always get exposed to the sun for a longer duration.
| Pros | Cons |
| Non-sticky formula | Doesn’t stay long |
| Easily spreads | |
| Comes in a combo pack | |
| Easy to hold bottles |
Coppertone SPORT Continuous Sunscreen
Coppertone SPORT Continuous Sunscreen is of SPF 30 type and it is quite safe for kids as well. The sunscreen is gentle on screen and has no side effects like irritation. It comes in the form of spray and not cream, which makes it easy to use and easy to apply. However, you might need to use it after about 1 hour.
| Pros | Cons |
| Spray type sunscreen | May need to apply again and again after a short duration of exposure to the sun |
| No side effects | |
| Safe for kids |
Sun Bum Moisturizing Sunscreen
Sun Bum Moisturizing Sunscreen protects your screen from harmful rays, and also makes you feel refreshed with its lavender and musk scent. It is SPF 50 type and has Soy, and cellulose as the main ingredients. The product is moisturizing and hypoallergenic.
| Pros | Cons |
| A refreshing aroma that makes you feel refreshed | Bit expensive |
| Moisturizing and hypoallergenic characteristics |
Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Weightless Sunscreen
Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Weightless Clear Spray Sunscreen has a coconut aroma to it which gives both hydrating and nourishing benefits to the skin. Shea butter is the active ingredient of this sunscreen. The sunscreen is of SPF 30 type. Users have found this useful even at extreme temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. You do not need to apply it again and again as this sunscreen is perfectly waterproof.
| Pros | Cons |
| Coconut aroma | Bit overpriced |
| Protects skin from dehydration and gives nourishment | |
| Useful even at extreme temperatures |
Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen
Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen is specially made sunscreen for oily skin and is of type SPF 50. Zinc oxide is about 20 % of the total content, which indicates the fact that this provides the best protection against UVA and UVB. The sunscreen is water resistant for 80 minutes. The sunscreen uses a mineral-based formula, so no use of harmful chemicals.
| Pros | Cons |
| 20 % of zinc oxide | No scent |
| Water resistant for 80 minutes | Extremely pricey. |
| Specially made for oily skin type | |
| Mineral based formula |
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Water Resistant Sunscreen
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Water Resistant Sunscreen, as the name suggests, it is specially made for kids. The ingredients used are such that they would not have any adverse effect on the sensitive skin of children. The type is SPF 70 and the active ingredients in this are Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (15%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (10%), and Oxybenzone (3%). The sunscreen cuts through water which makes it perfectly water resistant for 80 minutes.
| Pros | Cons |
| Specially made for kids | Unscented |
| Water resistant for 80 minutes | Has to apply it after each 2 hours |
| Affordable |
BLUE LIZARD Australian Sunscreen
BLUE LIZARD Australian Sunscreen, the name might be a weird one, but it is one of the best sports sunscreen. The product is made for people who have very sensitive skin. Generally, these people find it pretty hard to find any sunscreen and thus the Blue Lizard have come to their rescue. The company is aware of its duties towards mother earth and hence they have avoided the use of Oxybenzone or Octinoxate to protect delicate coral reefs.
| Pros | Cons |
| Specially made for sensitive skin | 40 minutes of water-resistant time is comparatively less SPF |
| SPF 30 | |
| Manufactured without violating environmental duties |
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen
The best thing about the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen is it is of SPF 100 type. You would have noticed, till this product, no one has provided SPF 100 type sunscreen. The more the SPF count, the more safe your sunscreen is. However, users have experienced the side effects of high SPF count.
| Pros | Cons |
| SPF 100 | Users have complained about irritation |
| Smooth and Silky feel | Expensive |
Beardhood SPF 50 PA+++ Sports Sunscreen
Beardhood SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen is specially made for extreme heat and temperatures in India. It provides 98 % protection against harmful rays. The sunscreen does not use Octyl Methoxycinnamate and oxybenzone. The lack of these two makes this a best sports sunscreen & safe and healthy for the skin. The sunscreen is of a special SPF type i.e. SPF50 PA+++ SPF.
| Pros | Cons |
| Pocket friendly | Sunscreen is on the thicker side |
| Completely safe for the skin | |
| No use of chemicals |
Minimalist Sunscreen Cream
Minimalist Sunscreen Cream is formulated with 4 very effective UV filters, namely, Uvinul T 150, Avobenzone, Octocrylene, and Titanium Dioxide to provide protection from UVA & UVB. It contains vitamins A, B3, B5, E, and F which not only protect the skin but also nourish it. Through some rigorous testing, the sunscreen is found to be Photostable & Acne safe, which is what every user wants.
| Pros | Cons |
| Use of Uvinul T 150, Avobenzone, Octocrylene, and Titanium Dioxide | Unscented |
| Contains Vitamin A, B3, B5, E, and F | Not made for sensitive skin |
| Photostable and Acne Safe | |
| Affordable |
