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6 Great Sunscreens That Won’t Come Off While You Run

Here’s what to apply to protect yourself from harmful UV rays.

Headshot of Caitlin Giddingsby Caitlin Giddings
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Zealios

The Best Running Watches for Mapping and Pacing. For super-sheer lightness?

As outdoor exercisers, it’s particularly important for runners to protect our skin from UV ray, but given how much we move and sweat just any old sunscreen often won’t do. Our colleagues over at Bicycling have the same problem, which is why their editors gathered together a list of their favorite sunscreens. We’re passing it on to you, just in time for summer training.

The article 6 Great Sunscreens That Won't Come Off While You Ride Best Winter Running Shoes for Traction and Warmth.

Zealios Sun Barrier SPF 45

zealios
Zealios

sweating too much:
Oil-free Zealios goes on clear and offers solid protection from the sun without that filmy feeling a lot of zinc-based sunscreens give off. It’s got Running Shoes - Gear for longer runs, and is waterproof for 80 minutes, so even your sweatiest runs won’t leave you vulnerable to the elements. Plus it uses as many natural ingredients as possible without sacrificing performance, according to the company’s founders. Zealios is also a sponsor of the Jamis cyclocross team, so you know it’s been well-tested. Buy it here.

Related: 5 Heres what to apply to protect yourself from harmful UV rays

Coola Suncare Unscented Sunscreen Spray SPF 15 and SPF 30 Face

Coola sun spray
Coola

For the animal-friendly:
This organic, vegan, made-in-the-US sunscreen is unscented and free of parabens. Ultra-sheer and non-greasy, it’s available in an SPF 15 spray-on (okay if your sun exposure will be less than 60 minutes). It also has a special SPF 30 face-formulated blend that’s easy to apply and won’t cause you to break out. You can grab it from the Bicycling store, Best Winter Running Shoes for Traction and Warmth buy it here.

Health - Injuries

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch

neutrogena
neutrogena

For easy application:
Both the bottle and spray varieties of Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry Touch line are a great choice for maximum protection and minimum slime. Plus, they're easy to find in nearly any drugstore or grocery store. “It’s the least greasy of the stuff I’ve tried, won’t leave your face shiny, and doesn't cause breakouts, which is always a concern of mine,” says Bicycling’s Senior Editor Gloria Liu. Buy it here.

Related: The Best New Shoes You Can Buy Now

Beyond Coastal Active Sunscreen SPF 30+

a bottle of sunscreen
Beyond Coastal

Other Hearst Subscriptions:
The Beyond Coastal Sunscreen is easy to keep on hand in a 2.5oz. airline-friendly size or face stick that’s animal-friendly, oil-free, and fragrance-free. We liked that it rubs on easy like lotion without that filmy feeling that accompanies so many sunscreen experiences and includes some natural ingredients, like green tea sweating too much. Buy it here.

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Health - Injuries

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30

sunscreen
Hawaiian Tropic

A Part of Hearst Digital Media:
This classic favorite goes on light, won’t cause any breakouts on sensitive skin, and comes in a tropical piña colada scent that brings back childhood trips to the pool or beach. It’s oil-free, non-greasy, and comes in SPFs 15, 30, and 50. It’s also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so it won’t come off the minute you start sweating. Buy it here.

Related: The Best Running Watches for Mapping and Pacing

Neutrogena Beach Defense 70

sunscreen
neutrogena

For easy application:
Made from naturally sourced ingredients and fragrance free, this top-notch sun protection is available in spray, stick, and lotion versions. Bicycling Online Editor James Hart swears by the stuff, which is touted by Neutrogena as the number-one dermatologist-recommended suncare. He uses Beach Defense “because I’m fair skinned, my family has a history of skin cancer and I spent two years living in an area with very high melanoma rates [Sydney],” he says. “My dad’s had a lot of issues with skin cancer, and this is the stuff his doctor told him to use. I like it personally because it absolutely positively will not come off. You don’t have to reapply every 20 minutes because you’re For long-term water resistance.” Buy it here.

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