8 Best Sunscreens for Kitesurfing (for Maximum Protection from the Sun)

Table of Contents

Kitesurfing is best when the sun is shining, but excessive exposure can lead to terrible consequences. The best sunscreen for kitesurfing should protect the surfer from the sun’s harmful rays.

We look at the eight best sunscreens for kitesurfing and their outstanding features that maintain your skin’s health.

Quick Summary: Best Sunscreen for Kitesurfing

 

SunscreenBest for
Tropicsport Mineral Sunscreen LotionBest overall
Headhunter Waterproof SunscreenBest Facial Sunscreen
Hawaiian Tropic Broad-Spectrum LotionBest Moisturizer
Copperstone Sport SunscreenBest for Heat and Sweat Resistance
Badger SPF 40 Sport Mineral SunscreenBest for Environmental Sustainability
Reef Safe SunscreenBest Reef-Friendly
Banana Boat Ultra Sport Sunscreen LotionBest Budget Pick
EltaMD UV Water-Resistant SunscreenBest Mineral-Based

8 Best Sunscreens for Kitesurfing

We have made a list of the best sunscreens you can find to meet the demands of the extreme conditions kitesurfing may offer.

Take a look.

Best Overall: Tropicsport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion

Tropicsport is a great brand, thanks to its commitment to making its products as safe as possible without compromising effectiveness. This 100% mineral sunscreen was made after six years of research to develop an octinoxate-free, oxybenzone-free, and avobenzone-free formula.

The sunscreen comprises two active chemical ingredients, namely titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide, making them safe for you because they cannot enter the bloodstream. These chemicals are also gentle to the skin and reef friendly.

Tropicsport is also a leader in water resistance. The sunscreen lasts thrice as much as regular sunscreens last. It supersedes both the 80-minute and 240-minute water resistance tests. Surfers demanding nothing but the highest quality sun protection in extreme water environments for long periods should try this out.

It is safe for adults and kids more than six months old. It is also safe for all skin types. See a doctor first for kids below six months. Reapply every two hours to ensure no letting up of the protection. 

Best Facial Sunscreen: Headhunter Waterproof Sunscreen

Grab yourself the headhunter sunscreen face stick for your water sports needs. It is water-resistant, non-greasy, gentle on the skin, and UVA-UVB safe. Athletes with skin sensitivity will no doubt consider this roll-on skin care.

The headhunter is made of simple but effective ingredients, including 10% zinc oxide, 10% titanium oxide, 7.5% octinoxate, 5% homosalate, and 1.5% octocrylene. They work together to give you strong protection from the sun and its reflection.

The hot weather melts other sunscreens but not the headhunter. It is melt-proof because of its temperature regulating formula. Whether in a hot bag or car, melting is a nonissue.

Best Moisturizer: Hawaiian Tropic Broad-Spectrum Lotion

Since 1969, Hawaiian Tropic company has made it personal its mission to produce high-quality suncare products for esteemed customers worldwide. For example, this SPF 50 tropic broad-spectrum lotion is skin-loving and enhances your skin’s natural beauty.

The sheer touch of lotion sunscreen, moisturizes, softens, protects, and leaves skin glowing. The ingredients include shea butter complex, mango fruit extract, and vitamin E.

Those who like scents should check this sunscreen out. The Hawaiian tropical lotion offers authentic island vibes with the classic coconut fragrance infusion and mango extract. 

The sunscreen is oil-free, fast-absorbing, and lightweight. The broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection ensures your skin remains radiant. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends this product.

The lotion’s water resistance is commendable, with a single application lasting up to 80 minutes.

Best for Heat and Sweat Resistance: Copperstone Sport Sunscreen

The Coppertone 4-in-1 performance sport sunscreen is the most trusted brand by customers nationwide, according to the 2020 American BrandSpark trust study.

The sunscreen has a water resistance of 80 minutes and UVA and UVB broad-spectrum protection from the sun.

Apart from water, Coppertone can also resist heat and sweat. It is gentle on the skin and doesn’t run into the eyes or clog pores. It leaves your skin feeling fresh and hydrated. The sunscreen is free of octinoxate, oxybenzone, PABA, and dyes.

Best for Environmental Sustainability: Badger SPF 40 Sport Mineral Sunscreen

The Badger company is renowned for its efforts to protect the environment while providing safe and gentle sunscreens for kitesurfing. Indeed, the badger SPF 40 sport mineral sunscreen bears the protect land + sea certification seal, declaring them innocent of polluting the land and sea ecosystems.

That’s not all; badger mineral sunscreen is produced with clean solar energy, packaged in recyclable material, and certified cruelty free. Environmental champions will like how the product is sustainable.

98% of the ingredients in the badger sunscreen are organic and clean, including beeswax, sunflower oil, and vitamin E. The sunscreen uses zinc oxide to provide strong and safe broad-spectrum protection. It is also gluten-free and hypoallergenic.

The 80-minute water-resistant sunscreen will provide protection from harmful UV rays during a kitesurfing session.

Best Reef-Friendly: Reef Safe Sunscreen

Safety always comes first for any reasonable water sports enthusiast or athlete. This 2-pack Reef Safe sunscreen offers one of the safest sunscreens there is on the market. It also minds the ocean’s well-being and the health of coral reefs as all ingredients used are biodegradable.

The products are silicone-free, octinoxate-free, titanium dioxide, and oxybenzone, ensuring the coastal reefs remain unharmed.

The water resistance is a reliable 80 minutes of sun protection. The SPF 50 broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sunblock provides outstanding protection from the sun.

Kids and adults can get complete protection from the sun and prevent sunburns. The sunscreen is safe for family use. The moisturizing sunscreen is also free from harmful substances that may cause skin damage.

Best Budget Pick: Banana Boat Ultra Sport Sunscreen Lotion

Another high-quality sunscreen for your kitesurfing is the banana boat SPF 50 lotion. Its lightweight formula does more than protect your skin. It nourishes and moisturizes the skin for a smooth and silky feel.

This sunscreen features superior water and sweat endurance to provide strong enough protection even when surfing in extreme conditions. It is clinically proven to provide effective UVA and UVB protection. It is also free from chemical substances that are harmful to the skin.

Best Mineral-Based: EltaMD UV Water-Resistant Sunscreen

The EltaMD full-body sunscreen is a mineral-based lotion with a broad spectrum of SPF 50 for maximum protection from the sun. It is a high-quality sunscreen that is ideal for all outdoor activities. It is water-resistant, preventing it from rinsing off or dripping into the eyes.

Conclusion

Kitesurfing is a wonderful sport that leaves pulses racing whether you’re watching or playing. Already enough risks are taken to maneuver a surfboard above a wild sea. That is why surfers use sunscreen to counter the threat of skin damage from UVA and UVB rays.

The list above of sunscreens should make it easy for you to find the lotion that suits you best. Apply it as directed, and rock on!

Dawn Seagull

Dawn Seagull

We all know surfing is life! The thing is you sometimes need better info to catch the good wave or the best wind.
So I want to share what I found from years on the waves - with or without the kite.

About Me

We all know surfing is life! The thing is you sometimes need better info to catch the good wave or the best wind.
So I want to share what I found from years on the waves – with or without the kite.

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