An often overlooked item, essential to a successful days kayaking is sun cream. But not all sun creams are created equally.
What Factor?
Firstly a quick description of what sun scream factor means.
The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) number tells you how long the sun’s UV radiation would take to redden (read burn) your skin when using the product exactly as directed versus the amount of time without any sunscreen. So ideally, with SPF 30 it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen.
An SPF 30 allows about 3 percent of UVB rays to hit your skin. An SPF of 50 allows about 2 percent of those rays through. That may seem like a small difference until you realize that the SPF 30 is allowing 50 percent more UV radiation onto your skin.
If you want to read the full explanation click here.
This is why I recommend SPF 30+ for clients joining me on a 2.25 hour outside, 1.5 hour on the water tour. Or SPF 50+ for full day trips.
Other important properties
Can be applied to wet skin: This is very useful. As this not only enables you to re-apply the sun scream after swimming or splashing. But if the environment is so hot your just sweating continuously, aka the tropics. Then you can still successfully apply the sun cream in the first place.
Water Resistant: Considering what I have just said above, you might think this is built into all sun cream. But this is not the case and many sun creams can simply be sweated off after a period of time. This is why they tell you to re-apply regularly. Not to just get you to use up your sun cream faster, so they can sell you more. Its actually key to maintaining its protection level, but not very convenient when kayaking.
So what are your options?
Like a lot of things in life it comes down to cost and and how much you are going to use it. Therefore I’ll start at the cheaper end of the scale and work my way up.
Nivea SUN Protect & Refresh Cooling Sun Spray (200 ml), Water-Resistant SPF 30 Sun Cream, Immediate Protection and Non-Greasy, Transparent/No White Marks
Does the job at a good price. Needs applying 20 minutes before putting your kayaking gear on, otherwise its prone to rubbing off on the gear. Needs to be re-applied frequently.
Nivea SUN Protect & Refresh Cooling Sun Spray (200 ml), Water-Resistant SPF 50 Sun Cream, Immediate Protection and Non-Greasy, Transparent/No White Marks
More expensive than the SPF30. But in theory you should be able to apply it less often. Needs applying 20 minutes before putting your kayaking gear on, otherwise its prone to rubbing off on the gear. Needs to be re-applied regularly.
Riemann P20 Sunscreen SPF30 Multi-angle Spray 150ml | Long Lasting UVA & UVB Protection for up to 10 hours | Highly Water Resistant
More expensive than the Nivea. But really stays on in water and therefore needs applying less often. Quick to be absorbed and does not rub off on gear easily.
For me, the spray can leave my skin feeling dry at the end of the day. But there is a cream alternative.
Riemann P20 Sunscreen SPF50 Multi-angle Spray 150ml | Long Lasting UVA & UVB Protection for up to 10 hours | Highly Water Resistant
Same as above just gives more protection. Which is good when you are out in the surf and means you have to re-apply even less often. Quick to be absorbed and does not rub off on gear easily.
For me, the spray can leave my skin feeling dry at the end of the day. But there is a cream alternative.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Wet Skin Gel SPF 50+ 250ml
Not cheap, but this is what I use. Very water resistant, will stay on all day if you don’t swim. Does not dry out my skin. Personally tested by working in Malta (Gozo) for a whole summer. (Read +45C, no shade)
Down side is it can irritate the eyes if sweat drips the cream down your face.
Aloe Vera Gel (200ml)
If your out in the sun as much as me then a bit of skin care does not hurt. So after showering and getting the La Roche-Posay SPF 50 off. I apply this to put some moisture back into my skin.
Great for relieving/recovering from sun burn too.
The product links are simply to to guide you to the right thing. Remember to shop around for the best price.
I hope you find this information useful to keep you protected from the sun and enjoy the great outdoors.