Long Lasting: Best Sunscreen Or Sunblock For Swimming

best sunscreen for swimming

As someone who is ridiculously pale, I’ve been slathered in sunscreen since birth, even during winter. I think that qualifies me as a bit of an expert when it comes to staying safe in the sun.

I’m sharing my knowledge with you so you can avoid the undesirable ‘lobster’ look, too.

With skin cancer rates soaring all over the world, we need to start taking our sun protection seriously. Over the past three decades, more people have developed skin cancer than all other starts of cancer combined. 

Even though you're fully aware of all that, it can still be a pain having to reapply sunscreen every five minutes when you’re swimming, sweating or playing around on the beach, so I’ve chosen a water-resistant one. It's truly the best sunscreen for swimmers.

Banana Boat is one of my favorite suncare brands out there. Not only do their products smell amazing, they also really do keep you safe in the sun.


Criteria


So, what you should you be looking for when buying sunblock for swimming? Well, obvious as it sounds, go for something water resistant!

Normal sunscreen tends to come off pretty easily when you’re splashing around at the beach or swimming outdoors. Water resistant sunscreen really clings to your skin, however much you’re playing around in the water.

Work out what SPF you need. I tend to be a little over-eager and reapply my sunscreen pretty regularly. That means I can get away with using lower SPF sunscreens.

If you prefer to apply it less often, go for a high SPF so you’re protected for longer. I’ve found the best sunscreen for swimming which you don’t have to reapply it every two seconds!

Again, it sounds obvious, but make sure it’s really got SPF in it. I’ve chosen a tanning oil with SPF, but many oils out there don’t actually contain anything that will protect your skin, so watch out.

It used to be super trendy to smother your body in oil and lie in the sun on kitchen foil. No more, kids. It’s all about safety these days, so make sure you really look at what you’re buying.

For me, it’s got to smell good. Sure, it’s not the most important factor I consider when buying sunscreen, but, if a product smells amazing, it really makes it something special.

I hate the biscuity smell you get with some sun protection. Ones with a good scent will always shoot to the top of my list.

I also like something that will go on easily, so sprays or oils are my favorites. That said, I want something that will come off easily when I want it to. The classic, thick white sunscreen just doesn’t do it for me anymore.


Banana Boat Protective Tanning Oil


Banana Boat Protective Tanning Oil

This is the best sunscreen for swimmers for many reasons.

For one, it’s very water resistant. It actually stays on your skin while you swim or, if you’re me, doggy-paddle around manically.

It’s an oil in a spray bottle, so it’s really easy to apply.

It also happens to smell incredible. It’s made with carrot extract and has a nice sweetness to it without being cloying.

I’ve opted for the SPF15 bottle here, which is the one I use, but it does come in different factors if you want something a little stronger.

Despite the low factor, it really does offer great protection for your skin when you’re out and about in the sun, hence it’s my pick as the best sunblock for swimming.

We all know the annoying routine of applying sunscreen, swimming, getting out, drying off and immediately having to reapply sunscreen. No more!

This is a sunscreen you can really feel confident about. It’s an oil and the water just brushes off your skin, leaving you fully protected.

This is also a brilliant product in its own right, regardless of whether or not you’re a swimmer. It contains aloe vera so is actually pretty nourishing for your skin.

It’s also an absolute bargain. For just under $20, you’ll get a bottle that will really last. A little goes a long way, trust me!


Pros & Cons


I’m all about the pros with this product, I just love it so much! I’ve always been worried about burning. Even if I’ve just put my sunscreen on, I’ll be panicking that it’s sweated off already.

Just looking at a swimming pool makes me feel like I need to instantly reapply, that’s the level of fear I have over burning.

So, the fact that this actually protects your skin and means you can splash around makes it an absolute winner in my eyes.

I love the smell of this, in case I haven’t already mentioned it. It actually feels really nice to apply to your skin, too.

Protecting your skin from the sun somehow feels like a beauty ritual with this oil – you’re left feeling silky and smooth, and you smell delicious.

It’s a spray bottle so is really easy to apply. No more awkwardly asking strangers on the beach to ‘do my back, thanks’. Or is that just me? Either way, it works and I love it.

Cons? I want to eat it every time I smell it. That’s all I’ve got so far. Sorry!


Conclusion


So, to sum up, if you’re after the best sunscreen for swimmers, look no further.

I love this product so much and, after sampling a lot of sunscreens out there, can confirm that this is the best by far.