The Best Sunscreens for Tennis in 2024

We need to be prepared for hot sunny days as well as humid days to play tennis. With summer being the height of tennis season, a lot of us are now spending more time than ever out on the court in the sunshine. Something many tennis players have experienced firsthand, however, too much time in the sun is not great for your skin. Not only does the ultraviolet radiation cause sunburn and age our skin prematurely but it's highly correlated to occurrences of skin cancer.

While the easiest way to prevent damage to your skin is to simply stay out of the sun, for dedicated tennis players this is not an option. Without being able to cover up, the best option for tennis players is a sunscreen that is both sweat-proof and non-greasy. These lotions don't cause eye irritation and ensure your grip is not compromised.

With tonnes of options on the market it can be a little overwhelming knowing which lotion to choose. To help, we’ve therefore put together a list of the best sunscreen for tennis players that will keep you in the game.

The Best Sunscreens of 2024

 

Ocean Potion SPF 50

Overview

• Water-resistant for 80 minutes of sweating or swimming
• Broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection for outdoor activities
• Non-greasy lightweight formula ideal for sports

Ocean Potion's SPF 50 is a favorite amongst athletes especially tennis players. Despite being a lotion, the sunscreen goes on sheer instantly cooling the skin upon contact, making it perfect for especially hot days.

The sunscreen provides a broad spectrum of protection, blocking both UVA I and II as well as UVB rays. The sunblock lotion itself is lightweight with a gel-like consistency and has a subtle menthol fragrance that is both fresh and invigorating. Lotion Potion does require some rubbing in but leaves no ashy or obvious residue on your skin once properly applied.

One of the main reasons Ocean Potion SPF 50 is so popular is due to the company's focus on being oxybenzone free to prevent damage to reefs and marine life, a common problem attributed to spray formulations.

With deep sea minerals and anti-oxidant vitamins, the sunblock also works as an effective moisturizer for your skin too!

 

Blue Lizard Sunscreen

Features

• Broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection / water-resistant for 80 minutes
• Mineral-based formula ideal for sensitive skin
• Reef-safe ingredients, no oxybenzone or octinoxate

Often touted as the sunscreen of choice for professional tennis players, Blue Lizard is a sunscreen designed in conjunction with dermatologists to provide total-body protection from the sun.

At the heart of this SPF 50+ formula is zinc oxide, an active ingredient that is essential for blocking both UVA and UVB rays. Blue Lizard uses larger zinc oxide particles that are non-oxidizing and do not cause skin irritation. Other brands often use nano-particles that can cause greasiness and some discomfort if applied to broken skin.

Importantly, despite providing head-to-toe protection, Blue Lizard is so lightweight you don't even feel like you have it on. This is especially important when playing tennis and you need to be distraction free, with the lotion also washing off easily after a match when using a sponge.

A little really does go a long way with Blue Lizard but does require some rubbing in to blend well, especially for those with darker skin.

EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50

Specs

• Doesn't drip or sting. water-resistant for 80 minutes
• Quick-absorbing, transparent zinc oxide finish
• Ideal for outdoor activities and sports

Pros
• Doesn't sting eyes when sweating
• Suitable for face and body
• Absorbs quickly without white residue
Cons
• Some users find it thick & hard to rub in
• Can be slightly shiny on face

Developed by the Swiss-American skin care company EltaMD, this sunscreen line is considered essential for tennis players who want their skin to look its best while also giving great protection from the sun.

Produced to high medical-grade standards, Elta MD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF has no obvious scent, is not sticky, does not leave a greasy residue or film, and feels lightweight when applying.

Elta MD is suitable for wearing beneath makeup too thanks to its oil-free formula that's been approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation. The lotion is also non-comedogenic, a game-changer for tennis players as the lotion is designed to not clog your pores allowing your skin to breathe. Combined with the non-greasy formula, your skin is free to sweat without the risk of eye irritation.

Soft and silky smooth, the clear formula glides on easily and leaves no obvious white cast on your face. Instead, Elta MD UV Clear feels more like a luxurious moisturizer.