When you are sitting out back waiting for the next set, the combination of offshore wind, water glare and salt spray strips moisture from your skin while multiplying UV exposure. Finding a reliable surfers' sunscreen is about keeping your face, neck and hands protected from burning rays without stinging your eyes or washing off into the line-up.
Water reflects sunlight straight back onto your face, intensifying exposure even on overcast coastal mornings. Mineral filters like non-nano Zinc Oxide shield and protect against broad-spectrum UVA and UVB rays, staying in place while avoiding synthetic chemical filters linked to coral bleaching.
We have been making organic skin care in the UK since 1997, and we formulate our natural and organic sun creams with sensitive, outdoor-loving skin in mind. There are no artificial fragrances, drying alcohols or harsh synthetic filters, keeping your complexion calm, shielded and comfortable in the water.
At a glance
- Water glare and sea spray multiply UV intensity on exposed skin
- A mineral Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream SPF30 shields and protects against 97% of UVB rays
- Our formulas avoid chemical filters linked to coral bleaching, such as Oxybenzone and Octinoxate
- No sun cream is completely water resistant, so reapply liberally every time you return to the beach
- A full-body lotion like Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30 keeps skin nourished after time in salt water
Shop Zinc sunscreen for surfers
Surfers have relied on mineral protection for decades. A Zinc sunscreen for surfers shields and protects delicate facial skin against harsh UV exposure and salt-crusted windburn.
Our Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream SPF30 uses non-nano Zinc Oxide to create an invisible physical shield against 97% of UVB rays. It sinks in comfortably without greasiness, so it will not slip down into your eyes when you paddle into a wave.
Enriched with soothing Aloe Vera and antioxidant-rich Green Tea, it keeps wind-whipped skin hydrated and calm. Because it is scent-free and dermatologically tested, you can trust it on skin prone to redness or sensitivity after hours in the sea.
Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream SPF30 50ml
Shield and protect with this 100% mineral sun cream€43,95
Ocean-conscious sun care for marine environments
Thousands of tonnes of sun cream enter coastal waters globally every year, bringing chemical filters into direct contact with fragile marine life. Certain synthetic UV filters, notably Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, have been linked to coral bleaching and disruption to marine ecosystems, leading several surf destinations to restrict their use.
Choosing an ocean-conscious surfers sunscreen means checking that your formula leaves out these problematic synthetic filters. Our sun care range is strictly formulated without Oxybenzone or Octinoxate, giving you peace of mind whether you are paddling out in Cornwall or surfing tropical reef breaks.
We are proud to support the Marine Conservation Society, donating 20p from every bottle of our Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30 to help fund beach cleans and ocean protection initiatives across the UK.
Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30 200ml
Protect sensitive skin naturally with our best-selling SPF30 sun cream€43,95
Loved by surfers
"I surf so I spend a lot of time in the sea and wanted a sun cream that was a bit more environmentally friendly, I've tried a few others and this is the best I've found so far. Been using it for a few years now and can't complain, it absorbs well so its near invisible and it doesn't sting if it washes into your eyes a bit, unlike a lot of other brands, which is a massive bonus when your surfing." Jack
"I live in the UK and have fair skin / freckles. I bought this product for a surf trip to Costa Rica in March (their hot season) I was in the sea for several hours each day and did not burn at all, even with temperatures over 35 degrees every day. I really like the consistency - i.e not oily and goes on really easily. Have recommended to many friends. Much more ocean friendly than other brands too. Wouldnt use anything else." Briony
"Bought for watersports and it lasts well and doesn't hurt eyes if it drips in with water splashes." Lynn
Wetsuits and sunscreen: protecting exposed skin
Neoprene covers the majority of your body, but the parts left bare take the full brunt of surface glare. Your forehead, cheeks, nose, neck, wrists and the tops of your feet remain directly exposed to UV rays throughout every session.
Our Zinc sunscreen for surfers is straightforward to smooth onto exposed skin once you have zipped up your suit. Because our mineral formula forms a gentle barrier directly over your skin, you can protect these key spots right before paddling out.
No sunscreen can claim to be entirely waterproof or last indefinitely against wave friction and board rub. To stay safe, apply your cream generously before heading into the water, and come back in regularly to reapply.Â
Best SPF habits for your surf sessions
Taking care of your skin around your sessions is just as important as the equipment you pack in your board bag. Coastal conditions demand a few simple habits to make sure your coverage holds up.
- Apply your cream liberally at least twenty minutes before hitting the water so it adheres evenly to clean, dry skin
- Apply a second time to the spots surfers commonly miss, including your ears, the back of your neck, your hands and the tops of your feet
- Keep your bottle in the shade inside your beach bag, as direct heat can destabilise natural plant oils and active filters
- Reapply immediately after towelling off, as towel drying and ocean swell remove sunscreen from your skin
Pairing your physical protection with a wide-brim hat between sets and drinking plenty of water keeps your skin barrier resilient through long summer days.
Frequently asked questions
Why is zinc sunscreen popular with surfers?
Zinc Oxide sits over the skin to shield and protect against UVA and UVB rays without stinging delicate eyes. Non-nano Zinc Oxide is believed to the one of the most ocean conscious UV filters.Â
Is any sunscreen completely water resistant when surfing?
No sunscreen is completely water resistant or immune to being washed away by wave impact and board friction. For reliable protection, you must reapply your sun cream generously and regularly, as soon as you come out of the water.
What ingredients should surfers avoid in sunscreen?
Surfers should look for sunscreens free from Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, which have been linked with coral bleaching and marine damage. Choosing certified organic, mineral formulas helps protect your skin without introducing these harsh synthetic chemicals to the water.
Will sunscreen damage my neoprene wetsuit?
MEET CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People's Choice in the 2023 list of Who's Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible 'Naturally Gorgeous'. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
