Spending four or more hours out in the sun can be quite dangerous for your skin. Golfers that play a lot of golf need to be very careful about the way they are protecting their face and any exposed areas of their body. Putting sunscreen on each day before you play golf is an essential part of your pre-game routine.
If you are curious as to which are the best sunscreens for golfers, we have you covered. Whether you are looking for something that is water resistant or works for sensitive skin, we have several great options for you to choose from.
Best Golfing Sunscreen
Neutrogena Sport Face Sunscreen SPF 70+
Neutrogena is one of the best known companies in the market when it comes to sunscreen. This particular Neutrogena Sport Face Sunscreen is a perfect option for golfers that spend a lot of time out in the sun.
The Neutrogena is a Broad Spectrum SPF 70+ sunscreen that is built for sports and activity. You won’t’ be able to wipe this off all that easily, and it is both sweat resistant and water resistant. The technology used in the Neutrogena is a HelioPlex material that helps to nourish the skin as well.
When you spend quite a bit of time outside, chances are your skin will dry out but with this Oil-Free Helioplex, the chances of that are significantly reduced. Neutrogena prides itself on reducing the risk of skin cancer while also protecting skin from clogged pores and breakouts.
Pros
- Water resistant
- 70+ superior sun protection
- One of the best sunscreens for sensitive skin
- It helps to protect against skin cancer
- Perfect tube to leave in the golf bag
Cons
- Sunscreen with 70+ can sometimes feel a bit heavy
CETAPHIL Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick
One of the hardest parts about sunscreen for avid golfers is that once you have sunscreen on your hands, the club can get very slippery. It’s hard to get sunscreen off, and many golfers will lose control of the golf club because of this. Therefore a sunscreen stick like the Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen for golf is a great option.
The SPF 50 is a good choice for hydrating and for sun protection. Most golfers find that this is not greasy when they are putting it on, and it does stay water resistant. The overall formula is built to help work on sensitive skin and since Vitamin E is one of the active ingredients, this sunscreen is ideal for those struggling to keep their skin clear.
Pros
- It comes in a stick applicator
- Broad spectrum SPF 50
- 80-minute water resistance
- Mess free
- Hypoallergenic formula
- Keeps the skin hydrated
Cons
- Even though it is a stick, you may still have to rub in the sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Sunscreen Milk
It’s important to remember that the best sunscreens for golfers are going to work not just to protect your skin from the sun but to protect your skin from breakouts and from drying out as well. Therefore, the best sunscreens for golfers need to be more about skin care than anything else. The La Roche Posay products are known for taking care of golfers’ skin.
The SPF 60 La Roche Posay is the perfect option for golfers. In addition to having broad spectrum protection, there are also antioxidants built into the formula. In addition, you will get up to 80 minutes of water resistance; this is perfect for those hot summer days. One thing golfers love about this particular formula is how quickly it absorbs into the skin.
Pros
- Great texture to this sunscreen
- Antioxidants built in
- Water resistant up to 80 minutes
- Works well for sensitive skin
Cons
- Premium pricing
EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50
EltaMD Broad Spectrum Sport is a dermatologist-recommended sports body sunscreen perfect for all outdoor activities, including golfing. Most sunscreens leave a horrible white cast on the skin when used alone or paired with powder or foundation. However, you don’t have to worry about this with EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen lotion’s transparent zinc-oxide formulation.
The zinc-oxide formulation offers UV protection against UVA and UVB radiation. This broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion applies easily on dry and wet skin and is water-resistant for 80 minutes. It doesn’t drip into your eyes and sting when you are sweating.
Female golfers will love that this chemical sunscreen is absorbed fast into the skin and works nicely with other facial products.
Pros
- Safe ingredients that’s perfect for all sensitive skin types
- Water-resistant for 80 minutes
- Non-greasy and transparent mineral-based formula
- Easy to apply on wet and dry skin
- SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 50 to prevent skin damage
Cons
- Doesn’t moisturize the skin
Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Sunscreen Stick
It should come as no surprise that the Neutrogena name comes up a few times on the list of the best sunscreen for a professional golfer. This brand does such a great job protecting all those who enjoy spending time outside. We love the Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Sunscreen Stick for golfers because of the incredible protection it offers and the easy applications.
This lightweight sunscreen was designed for those that spend time actively outside. If you are a golfer that enjoys walking the course and you are worried about sunscreen that will run off during the round, the CoolDry Sport is a perfect choice. In addition, this sunscreen does not make you feel warmer as if you are locked in under a barrier of sunscreen.
Pros
- Very lightweight feel on the skin
- Easy to apply
- One of the best sunscreens overall for athletes
- PABA free formula
Cons
- No non-nano zinc oxide in the formula
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Some golfers wake up each morning and spend the rest of the day on the golf course. Therefore the best sunscreen for golfers like this is water resistant and will allow for a very lightweight and natural feel. The CeraVe does protect against sun and is considered a sunscreen; however, it feels more like a cream that you put on your skin.
This is a perfect option to wake up each morning and apply to your face. It is safe for everyday use, and it will absorb quite quickly into your skin. In addition, the non-greasy feel is easy to wash off your hands as you are getting ready to head out to the golf course for the day.
Pros
- Zinc oxide based sunscreen
- It has a moisturizer built in
- Non greasy look
- Ideal for sensitive skin, dry skin, acne-prone skin, oily skin
- Easy to wash off hands and make part of a daily skincare routine
Cons
- Not a high SPF for very sunny days on the course
BLUE LIZARD Sport Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide
You may have noticed a common theme among all the sunscreens on our list of the best sunscreen for golfers. That theme is water and sweat resistance. If you are heading out for a day on the golf course, you will likely sweat, and you need sunscreen that helps you make it through the day without losing your sun protection.
The Blue Lizard Sport Mineral Sunscreen is one of the best sunscreens for water resistance. In addition, this is a mineral-based sunscreen for golf that will help be more natural to the skin. No oxybenzone or Octinoxate has been used to produce the Blue Lizard sunscreen, so it tends to be better for the golf course and the environment.
Dermatologists recommend this sunscreen because of the broad spectrum coverage, and it is easy to see why.
Pros
- Good for skin and the environment
- Water and sweat resistant sunscreen
- Good preventative measure against skin cancer
- Reef safe
Cons
- Priced a bit higher than other sunscreens for golf
Banana Boat Light As Air
If you are looking for one of the best type of sunscreen when it comes to value and price, Banana Boat is the way to go. With a Banana Boat Light As Air sunscreen, you get water resistant technology and Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protection. With the Banana Boat, there is also water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Golfers enjoy the Banana Boat Light As Air because it does not clog pores and won’t feel heavy on the skin. The oil is absorbed, and your skin will not look greasy at all. For the price that this sunscreen is offered, it’s a smart idea to keep a few of these in your golf bag. Even those with sensitive skin feel good about the performance of this sun lotion.
Pros
- Absorbs oil and moisture
- Non greasy sunscreen formula
- Dries quickly
- Fair pricing
Cons
- Not as much of a moisturizer for the skin
The Best Golf Sunscreen Is…
The Neutrogena Sport Face sunscreen stands out as the best overall choice for golfers. With impressive ingredients, no harmful chemicals, and maximum sun protection protection from the sun, this is a sunscreen you can use for more than just your next round of golf. Give Neutrogena a try, and you will likely be quite impressed with the results.
Hopefully, you now feel more confident and ready to purchase sunscreen for your golf game. Golfers need to keep sunscreen at home, in the car, and in the golf bag. If you forget to apply in one location, you know you will have it somewhere else.
Buyers Guide
Now that you have a better idea as to which sunscreen for golf could be the best fit for your game, it’s time to take a look at how to narrow down these choices. A few key factors that will set sunscreens apart stand; it is smart to understand those before you invest.
SPF Protection
The higher the SPF protection, the more of a barrier you will get between your skin and the sun. However, the higher SPF also sometimes means a thicker, less breathable formula for golfers. Most golfers will find that something between SPF 30 and SPF 60 will be the best sunscreen option for their skin.
Skin Care Qualities
Some sunscreen is built specifically to protect your skin from the sun. Other sunscreens will work to help keep your skin moisturized and healthy. If you are worried about skin care, sensitive skin, or long term aging effects, look for a sunscreen that combines skincare and sun protection.
Ease of application
The last thing you want is to interrupt your game for a couple of minutes to reapply sunscreen. The sunscreen you get should be easy to apply. Glide stick and spray sunscreen are popular options, but easy-to-rub in lotions work great too. Get sunscreen that has fast-drying protection and doesn’t leave noticeable residue on clothing and the skin.
Pricing
As you will notice, there are large discrepancies in sunscreen pricing. This has quite a bit to do with the features that you find in sunscreen. Sometimes the fragrance, the chemicals, and the ingredients will all change the pricing you pay for sunscreen.
Although some options may seem a bit expensive if it is important to remember the long-term impacts and effects of wearing great sunscreen on your skin.
Sweat Resistance
Golfers should apply sunscreen before a round and then continue to apply every two hours or less. When playing golf, there is quite a bit of sweating that happens, and without properly protecting your skin, you will be exposed to UV Rays. It is best to look for sunscreens that have some sweat or water resistance in them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sunscreen is a must for all golfers. If you have not been wearing sunscreen on the course, now is the time to start. Here are a few questions that golfers tend to have about applying sunscreen and what is necessary for the golfer to wear on the course.
Are Spray Sunscreens As Good As Lotion?
Sunscreen spray can be as good as a lotion as long as you are careful about how you put the sunscreen on. Make sure that it is on thick enough and that your skin is actually protected. We like the stick-style applicator better than the spray to ensure that all areas of the skin are protected.
Should Golfers Wear Lip Balm On The Golf Course?
Golfers need to protect their lips from the sun as well. In addition, it is a smart idea for players to look into golf clothing that has some protection from UV rays. The more you love golf, the more exposure you will have to harmful rays.
How Often Should Golfers Reapply Sunscreen?
Most water resistant or sweat resistant sunscreen is going to wear off in about 80 minutes. For the most part, putting sunscreen on every two hours or so should be enough to ensure that the ingredients are still active and you remain protected.
Do I still need to wear sunscreen if I’m golfing past 5 pm?
Provided the sun is out, you should apply sunscreen. The skin absorbs UVB and UVA rays even when the sun isn’t too hot.
