Best Sunscreen for Working Outside

Anybody who works outside knows that even on overcast days when it seems the clouds cover the sun, you start to feel it on your skin pretty quickly.

This is because the sun’s UV rays are very strong and when you spend hours under the sun on a daily basis, you must be extremely well protected!

You can achieve maximum protection by adhering to the Skin Cancer Foundation’s guidelines for outdoor workers. This involves wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, hats and sunglasses, and seeking shade when possible.

However, that is not enough!

When you are an outdoor worker who spends substantial amounts of time in the sun each day, it is imperative that you always be slathered up in a broad spectrum sunscreen.

That is the way to be sure that your skin is properly protected – so let me help you find the best sunscreen fit for your daily needs as an outdoor worker!

Best Sunscreen for Working Outside Comparison

Buyer’s Guide

You want to be sure that your skin is sufficiently protected when you’re working outside. To do that, there are a few must-have features that you should search for in your sunscreen:

Broad spectrum protection

If you can only remember one thing about sunscreen, remember this: you need it to provide broad spectrum protection.

This means that your skin receives balanced protection against both UVA and UVB rays. This is essential because the two ultraviolet radiation types work differently.

• UVB rays damage the outer layer of your skin and cause you to tan or burn
• UVA rays penetrate the deepest layer of your skin (the dermis) and cause premature aging

Broad spectrum protection is vital because exposure to both types of UV rays increases your risk of skin cancer.

This protection is especially important for outdoor workers who are constantly exposed to the harmful strength of the sun’s UV rays.

Luckily, it is fairly easy to find sunscreens that provide broad spectrum protection, as they are plentiful!

You’ll be able to spot a broad spectrum sunscreen by looking at the label and ingredients list of different sunscreens. The label may contain words such as ‘broad spectrum’ or ‘UVA/B’ making it clear that they provide sufficient protection.

You can also check the ingredients list for zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Sunscreens with zinc oxide, in particular, protect against the full range of UVA/B rays so they are always an effective and safe choice for working outside!

Best SPF for working outside

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) can be a perplexing thing. It is something that helps you decide which sunscreen to buy, but what does it really mean?

Let me give you a simple explanation that will enhance your search for a great sunscreen for working outside.

The SPF rating tells you what fraction of the sun’s rays will reach your skin if you have properly applied the product. This means that if you are wearing a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 50, then only 1/50th of the sun’s rays will reach your skin.

This is very beneficial, but don’t get carried away!

Wearing a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 50 does not mean that you can stay in the sun 50 times longer than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen.

You do not want to test that out as an outdoor worker! There are many factors that influence the effectiveness of SPF including time of day, amount of properly applied sunscreen, and even reflections from surfaces like water and sand.

Take a look at this table to see how much protection you get with different SPF ratings:

SPF Rating	UVB Protection
None	0%
2	50%
15	93%
30	97%
50	98%
100	99%

Not what you were expecting?

As you can see, there is very little difference between an SPF rating of 30 and one of 100. So which SPF rating do you choose when you’ll be working in the sun all day?

SimplySunSafe agrees with the experts and suggests that you choose sunscreens with SPF ratings no lower than 30 and no higher than 50.

And be sure to reapply at least every 2 hours when you’re working outside, no matter what SPF rating you choose!

Physical is better than chemical

Sunscreens can be broken down into two main groups – chemical and physical.

The differences between these groups lie in their active ingredients and in the way they work to protect your skin:

• Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays as they reach your skin
• Physical sunscreens reflect UV rays before they reach your skin

There are numerous reasons to choose physical sunscreens over chemical ones. For starters, they protect you against light more effectively and do so across a broader UV spectrum. Put simply – they’re better sunscreens.

On top of this:

• they work immediately upon application
• last longer on the skin
• are less likely to cause irritation
• have a longer shelf life

If you’re still not convinced, listen to this:

Chemical sunscreens often contain ingredients that mess with your hormones!

This is not something you want to risk! The worst of these ingredients is called oxybenzone, and is still legal despite concerns from the FDA. Be sure to check all sunscreens for this ingredient and avoid it no matter what!

Outdoor workers will want to stick with physical sunscreens for the safest protection!

Water resistant

As an outdoor worker, you will want to find an industrial strength sunscreen.

This means that you need a sunscreen that will continue protecting your skin despite the elements or other factors such as sweating. That is why it is wise for outdoor workers to choose water resistant sunscreens.

Sunscreens are available with 40 or 80 minutes of water resistance. Working outdoors is rigorous and a lot of time is spent directly under the sun’s UV rays, and that is why I advise that you choose sunscreens that provide 80 minutes of water resistance.

It will make your workday easier, with less reapplications, and you will not have to worry as much about your skin’s proper protection!

Suitable for daily use

As an outdoor worker, you will be spending large parts of each day under the sun.

This means you need a sunscreen that will work well with your skin on a day-to-day basis. For this you require a gentle formula with ingredients that won’t irritate your skin with consistent use.

You should also consider any skin sensitivities or conditions you need to accommodate for as these can have a big impact on the sunscreen you’ll want.

SimplySunSafe has recommended 5 products here that will provide you with sufficient protection using gentle and simple formulas intended for daily use on even the most sensitive skin.

5 Best Sunscreens for Working Outside

After thorough research into sun care for outdoor workers which included discussing issues with customers, reviewing customer feedback, examining manufacturer specifications, and participating in skincare forums, SimplySunSafe has compiled a list of the 5 best sunscreens for working outside.

Each sunscreen provides physical, broad spectrum protection with an SPF rating of 30 or greater. They are all suitable for daily use and water resistant!

1. EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

Last update on 2023-09-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen Lotion is our favorite here at SimplySunSafe, and is a great sunscreen for many situations. It is broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays which is good for working outside.

It provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 through the active ingredients of zinc oxide (9%) and octinoxate (7.50%) and is gentle enough to be used on all skin types. It is also water resistance (80 minutes).

This sunscreen has a lightweight formula ideal for working outside. It is not likely to cause any irritation as it is non-comedogenic and free of parabens, oils, dyes, fragrances, hormones, and gluten. It is also good for sensitive skin. However, like any cosmetic product, it is suggested to read “safety data sheet” for safety precautions.

But don’t count it out before you try it! It is a great product that may just be the perfect fit for your needs.

2. thinksport Sunscreen SPF 50+

Last update on 2023-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

SimplySunSafe’s number 1 choice for sun protection for outdoor workers is thinksport Sunscreen SPF 50+. This strong sunscreen provides broad spectrum protection through its sole active ingredient zinc oxide (20%).

Though it is a strong formula which is thick and can leave a white cast, thinksport is extremely gentle.

It was the first sunscreen to pass the Whole Foods premium care requirements, and you can be sure that it won’t cause your skin any irritation, even with daily use.

Thinksport also provides 80 durable minutes of water resistance, a necessity for working outside.

The high SPF rating is an added bonus if you have particularly photosensitive or pale skin.

This product is the best sunscreen for construction workers because it provides safe and heavy duty sun protection that will hold up even when you’re in the sun all day!

thinksport SPF 50+ is so good we’ve got it listed as both the best sunscreen for lifeguards and the best sunscreen for men! We think it’s so awesome you can’t go wrong choosing it.

3. Raw Elements Eco Formula Sunscreen SPF 30

Last update on 2023-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

SimplySunSafe’s final recommendation for outdoor workers looking for sun protection is Raw Elements Eco Form Sunscreen SPF 30.

With this product, you will receive broad spectrum protection with its active ingredient zinc oxide (23%). This makes it extremely safe and effective!

Raw Elements is hypoallergenic, all natural, and designed for daily use on the face and body of all skin types. You will not experience any irritation with daily use of this product.

In fact, it contains various ingredients that help to condition your skin including all natural vitamin E!

The formula is thick, requires time to rub in, and will leave a slight white cast. But this is an easy tradeoff to be sure that your skin properly protected as you’re working outside throughout your days.

Your 80 minutes of water resistance are covered with Raw Elements and you will be covered even under the hottest sun!

4. BurnOut Ocean Tested Physical SPF 30

Last update on 2023-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

BurnOut Ocean Tested Physical SPF 30 is another good choice for sun protection as an outdoor worker.

This tough sunscreen provides broad spectrum protection with its active ingredient zinc oxide (20%).

BurnOut’s formula is free of parabens, PABA, and chemicals. This is why it is gentle enough for daily use on your face and body. You will be able to rely on this as a safe addition to your daily skincare routine without worrying about irritation.

BurnOut even contains ingredients that will nourish your skin while it protects you!

The formula is thick and takes some time to rub in, but this contributes to the strength of its 80 minutes of water resistance.

BurnOut is another solid choice for sun protection when you work outdoors!

5. Vanicream Sunscreen SPF 30

Last update on 2023-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Vanicream is another good option for outdoor workers.

It is a customer-trusted sunscreen that provides broad spectrum protection with its active ingredients zinc oxide (6%) and titanium dioxide (3.4%).

Vanicream is specifically designed for use on sensitive skin so you will be able to use it daily, with multiple reapplications, on your face and body. You won’t have to worry about experiencing irritation with this formula!

One thing to keep in mind is that Vanicream’s formula is very thick, though it doesn’t leave a white cast on skin.

Vanicream also provides 80 minutes of water resistance which will make your work days run much smoother, as you won’t need to stop too much to reapply your sunscreen.

Another great thing about Vanicream is that it is also available in an SPF 50 formula just in case you prefer more protection!

Vanicream SPF 30 is also featuresd by SimplySunSafe as the best sunscreen for hands. Pick this one up if you use sun protection everywhere else and just need protection for exposed hands.

Conclusion

This guide was written for those searching for the best sunscreen for working outside.

Hopefully, by reading this guide you have gained deeper insight into what you need to properly protect your skin as an outdoor worker, and have found a product that fits your specific needs.

SimplySunSafe recommends EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50, but all 5 of the listed products will serve you well as you work outside in the sun!

Now that you have learned more about what your skin needs in sun protection to work outside, it is time for you to start testing different products.

By trying out different sunscreens, you will learn how your skin reacts to different ingredients. That way you will understand what your unique skin needs, and your search will be easier and faster!

I love learning new things and hearing about different products from other people! So if you use or know of another sunscreen that is good for working outside, please share it in the comments.

I will check it out and maybe even add it to this list!

FAQs

Q: Should I skip sunscreen if I have sensitive skin?

A: Sunscreen may not be causing your skin to become sensitive. Any products that come into contact with your skin can cause you to have a sensitivity reaction which includes but is not limited to perfumes, certain medications, and soaps. Also, check the labels on your sunscreen, so you know which ingredients are in there and whether or not they’ll react with your skin!

Think about what products you’ve been using lately (especially new ones), and stop using these before stopping the use of sunscreen. 

Q: When outside, what precautions should you take to protect your skin, apart from sunscreens?

A: Avoid the sun during hours of high-UV radiation from 10 am to 3 pm. To protect yourself from harmful UV rays, wear long sleeves and slacks as well as a wide-brimmed hat when you’re outside for extended periods–especially midday. 

For added protection against damaging ultraviolet light, consider wearing sunglasses that filter out this type of wavelength while outdoors.

Q: Does sunscreen cause skin darkening?

A: Sunscreen can cause hyperpigmentation but only if it has any one of the following effects. If the sunscreen you wear stresses your skin (some chemical sunscreens can do this), it may cause skin darkening. 

Secondly, if you use a hormone-active ingredient like oxybenzone, that may also have an effect on how much pigment is in your body and could lead to hormonal pigmentation issues as well as other possible side effects or reactions from its ingredients!

Check the label of the sunscreens for such ingredients. 

Q: Can UV rays go through clothes?

A: The importance of clothing as sun protection cannot be overstated as they provide different levels of UV protection. 

Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are more protective than a short skirt because they cover up your skin thoroughly! Similarly, light colors provide less coverage against UV rays, while dark colors are better for blocking them out. 

Moreover, if you can see through a fabric, UV rays will get through too! Therefore a tightly woven fabric, which is usually thicker, provides a more significant barrier from harmful sun rays!

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