We only have one skin! Sadly, many surfers often forget sun protection. Yet our skin forgives nothing, and the sun’s radiation is much more intense in the water due to reflection than on the beach. In the water there are several ways to protect yourself from the sun: wetsuits, lycras, hats and sunscreen.
All of these come in many different versions and from various brands. So how are you supposed to know what the best product is? In this blog post I’d like to focus on one type of sun protection – sunscreen – and tell you a bit more about it.
Differences between sunscreens
If you spend a long time in the water, as you do when surfing, you should think about which sunscreen you use. Basically, there are sunscreens with chemical UV filters and those with mineral UV filters.
Chemical UV protection
With chemical sun protection, the skin absorbs the radiation and converts it into heat in the top layer of skin. That’s why it often feels even warmer with sunscreen than without. Chemical sunscreen should also always be applied 20–30 minutes before sunbathing, and it needs constant reapplication. From an environmental point of view, chemical sunscreen should be avoided: its ingredients harm the beautiful corals we love to watch when snorkelling.
Mineral UV protection
Mineral sun protection, also called physical sun protection, reflects the sun’s radiation. This means the UV rays don’t penetrate the skin but are reflected by the sunscreen first. The film on the skin works immediately and doesn’t break down. This sunscreen doesn’t cause allergies. Mineral sunscreen leaves a white film on the skin – and you could say the thicker the film, the higher the sun protection.
Surfers and sun protection
Many surfers on Fuerteventura wear a wetsuit, so only their feet, hands and face are exposed to the sun. The skin on the face is particularly thin and therefore very sensitive. In the water especially, the face is doubly exposed to the sun, because the water surface reflects the UV rays. That’s why we need sun protection in the water that keeps UV rays away from our skin. Mineral sunscreens are particularly suitable for this. They are well tolerated and don’t cause allergies . They also sit on the skin like a protective film and reflect the sun’s rays before they reach the skin. They work immediately and need no time to take effect.
Sun protection and the sea
Our oceans are getting dirtier and dirtier because many people don’t take responsibility. Yet today it’s so important to look after nature. The oceans are polluted by chemical sunscreen, as it washes off the skin and the pigments float around in the sea. The ingredients of chemical sunscreen attack the coral reefs of our oceans. Studies show that they endanger reefs and marine animals, e.g. through hormonal disruption in fish. That’s why we recommend switching to mineral sunscreen, as it’s considered the safest option for our oceans.
So which sunscreen should I buy?
- Mineral sunscreens
- Suntribe
- Seven One Percent
- EQ Sun Stick
- SWOX
- Surfyogis
- Eco Cosmetics
- Fuka Eri
Think of the oceans and nature – we only have one planet!
Sunshine guaranteed: At the surf camp on Fuerteventura in El Cotillo you can surf all year round in mild temperatures – with a German-speaking team.