What’s the best way to keep your skin protected from the harsh UVA and UVB rays when out on a sunny day at the beach? Water-resistant sunscreens!
These sunscreen types are measured by looking at their SPF level after it has been in contact with water based on the duration of time written on its label. The typical benchmark is after 40 or 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, to which the sunscreen remains effective. After that period, then you ought to reapply the sunscreen.
We have listed some of the best water-resistant sunscreens that are either hydrating, non-comedogenic, or oil-free, all catering to every need of yours. Browse along for the one that will keep you protected while outdoors!
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Why it’s our top pick
This sunscreen boasts a unique milk-like texture, ensuring featherlight application while packing a powerful punch with its SPF 50+/PA+++ defence against UVA and UVB rays. Beyond unmatched sun protection, and Vitamin E and Rice Germ rich, this sun-kissed shield isn't just effective and smooth on skin – it's also budget-friendly.
Overview
Steered towards a milkier texture but with a fluid consistency, this sunscreen is lightweight and isn’t overpowering on your skin. Its lightweight formula ensures you a soft and smooth skin texture. With vitamin E and Rice Germ extracts, fear not as this sunscreen will not leave your skin feeling dry.
Details
- Sweat-proof and water-resistant
- High staying power on skin
- Intensive moisture and incredibly light texture
- Formulated with Vitamin E & Rice Germ Extract
- Easy application and removal
Who is this for?
Biore UV’s Sunscreen Perfect Protect Milk Moisture is worth it for those dry skins seeking effective sun protection. Enriched with SPF 50+/PA+++, and fortified with Vitamin E and Rice Germ Extract, this sunscreen goes beyond shielding your skin from UVA and UVB rays.
It's crafted to meet dry skin's unique needs, offering not only sun defence but also a non-drying experience that keeps your skin comfortably hydrated.
Overview
The Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Gel is made maximised with Humidity Booster Technology, whereby it works to grab moisture from the air thus, strengthening its UV protection efficacy. Together with its Aqua Booster EX Technology, the sunscreen offers stronger UV protection when in contact with sweat and/or water.
Not to mention, its plant-derived ingredients help protect your skin from micro dust particles in the air.
Details
- Proven to be water and sweat-resistant
- Formulated with Humidity Booster and Aqua Booster EX Technologies
- Resistant to mask-stuffiness
- Protects skin from micro dust particles in the air
- Leave a non-greasy, smooth feel
Who is this for?
Its 50% skincare formulation includes antioxidants, anti-photoaging, and moisturising ingredients that provide adequate care to your skin, apart from protecting it from UV rays. This lightweight formula is great for those with dryer skin types and needs something to stay moisturised all day long.
Overview
Moisturising and lightweight, the BIORE UV Perfect Milk Daily Sunscreen provides thorough protection to your skin with an SPF50/PA+++. This multi-defence broad-spectrum sunscreen is suitable for daily use or outdoor activities.
Made with Aqua Shield Smooth Veil, this formula is high-resistant against sweat and water to offer durable protection that comes with a high-staying power on your skin, thus protecting against UV rays.
Details
- Protects against harmful UV rays
- Sweat-proof and water-resistant
- Airy tint and non-sticky texture
- Doubles up as a make-up base
- Easy application with quick absorption
Who is this for?
Despite humid weather, this sunscreen will not leave you feeling sticky or greasy. Better yet, under the layer of your makeup, applying this sunscreen would not cause it to be cakey. This sunscreen is great for those who are also looking for formulas that provide a tone-up effect.
Overview
Concocted with its Helioplex formula, this sunscreen provides effective protection from skin-ageing UVA and burning UVB rays. Alongside its Dry Touch Technology, it gives an ultra-light finish to your skin so much so that you feel like you have nothing applied to your skin! Moreover, the lightweight texture makes it gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Details
- Water resistance for up to 80 minutes
- Superior balanced broad-spectrum against UVA and UVB rays
- Formulated with Helioplex™ and Dry-Touch technology
- Oil-free and PABA-free
- Ultra-light texture
Who is this for?
Rated highly on Shopee Malaysia, the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch offers maximum sun protection. Thanks to it being a lightweight and non-greasy formula, it also doesn’t clog your pores which makes it great for those with oily skin types. Users recommended it for its good quality and comfortability.
Overview
La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+ absorbs instantly onto your skin, feeling extremely light on your skin. Formulated with broad-spectrum protection, it guards your skin against UVA and UVB rays effectively while preventing damage caused by Infrared-A and pollution.
If you’re looking for a sunscreen that’s great for all skin types, especially for sensitive or sun-intolerant skin, this sunscreen is for you.
Details
- Broad-spectrum UVA and UVB
- Ultra-resistant to water, sweat, and sand
- Fluid texture with an invisible finish
- Protect against deep cell damage
- Light texture and non-greasy
Who is this for?
For makeup lovers who don’t apply makeup every day, the La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+ sunscreen would be perfect! It doesn’t smear nor discolour and doesn’t leave any white cast behind but provides you ample coverage. Also, it’s not oily thus, keeping the pristineness of your makeup intact!
Overview
Safe Sea Jellyfish Protection Organic SPF 95 delivers top-tier sun protection, all while championing environmental sustainability and skin well-being. Its age-defying formula suits all skin types — both normal and needing extra care. Being water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and conscientiously marine-friendly, it's a choice that cares.
If keeping aquatic wildlife is a concern when purchasing sunscreens, let it be known that this is a coral-friendly sunscreen.
Details
- Offers up to 80 minutes of water protection
- Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection
- Biodegradable and harmless to aquatic life
- Dermatologically tried and tested
- Contains antioxidants such as Bioplasma-FA
Who is this for?
This natural sunscreen is perfect for those who spend a lot of time under the sun and wish to stay away from synthetic chemicals. Its UV protection, anti-ageing and anti-stress properties help you stay focused and stop feeling guilty for being outdoorsy all day. With a price tag higher compared to other options, it can be a good investment for you.
Overview
Is being prone to sweating a concern for you? The Triple UV Elixiir SPF 50+ PA++++ is a lightweight sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection from UVA, UVB, and blue light. With the sunscreen being water-based, the sunscreen absorbs easily, allowing your skin to breathe easily without having a greasy feel.
Details
- Shields your skin from UVA, UVB, and blue light
- Provides 8.3h sun protection
- Light texture and cooling effect
- Skin nourishing formula
- Does not contain any harsh alcohols
Who is this for?
This type of sunscreen is perfect for those who want cool, nourishing skin that provides broad-spectrum protection from UVA, UVB, and blue light. It can also rejuvenate your skin with ingredients such as Vitamin E and allantoin which are amazing antioxidants. This is great especially for hot days at the beach or by the pool as it’s cooling and refreshing.
Overview
Ideal for a day out at the beach or swimming in the pool, the Banana Boat Ultra Protect Lotion with Aloe Vera comes with an extremely water-resistant formula. This allows it to stay on your skin regardless of prolonged contact with water.
To boot, this sunscreen also contains Aloe Vera and vitamin E which are exceptionally hydrating and are great at fighting off free radicals.
Details
- Clinically proven UVA/UVB protection
- Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation
- Superior endurance against sweat and water
- Free from oxybenzone and octinoxate
- Enriched with moisturisers, soothing aloe, and Vitamins C & E
Who is this for?
When you have oily or sensitive skin, you may want to try out sunscreens that are hypoallergenic such as Banana Boat Ultra Protect Lotion which is free from oil. It should wear on your skin relatively well without much irritation. This is the perfect compadre for when you’re planning to hit waterparks as well!
Overview
The Sunplay Sport UV Body Mist is formulated with its Unique Wet Skin Technology that instantly penetrates wet skin. Its quick-dry formula prevents whitening or drips off on wet skin. Made with Solarex-3 technology, this body mist spray also offers optimum photo-stable protection and increased moisture retention.
Details
- Sweat and water-resistant for 4 hours
- Instantly cools and refreshes skin
- Heavy-duty sun protection
- Effectively blocks 99% of harmful UV
- Free of alcohol, colourant and oxybenzone
Who is this for?
If you’re an athlete who spends long hours training under the sun, then Sunplay Sport UV Body Mist is for you. It should work great for heavy perspiration, swimming, and outdoor activities that involve heavy sun exposure. It’s easy to bring around and a quick way to reapply sunscreen throughout the day.
Overview
This gel-textured sunscreen is lightweight thus, absorbing easily into the skin. Compact with Hyaluronic Acid and Royal Jelly Extract, Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence also functions as a hydrating makeup base.
To add, its high sweat and water resistance acts as a strong UV protection veil that stays firm on your skin much longer. This helps prevent premature ageing that’s caused by sunburn.
Details
- Protects skin from UV rays
- Brightens skin tone
- Contains moisturising ingredients
- Water and sweat-resistant
- Easy spread and absorption
Who is this for?
Besides protecting your skin from UV rays, the incredibly light texture and watery essence of this sunscreen supply you with a moisturising and refreshing feel. It also works great as a smooth makeup base to achieve radiant skin.
FAQ:
- What Ingredient To Look For In Water Resistant Sunscreen?
First and foremost, it is important to ensure that the sunscreen contains high SPF against UVA and UVB rays. A sunscreen with broad-spectrum or multi-spectrum protection for both UVB and UVA rays includes ingredients such as:
- Benzophenones (Oxybenzone)
- Cinnamates (Octylmethyl Cinnamate And Cinoxate)
- Sulisobenzone
- Salicylates
- Titanium Dioxide
- Zinc Oxide
- Avobenzone (Parsol 1789)
- Example (Mexoryl Sx)
However, if you’re going to be heavily involved in lots of sports activities or swimming, the sunscreen that you should look for should be resistant to water and sweat.
That said, it is important to ensure that the SPF level is capable of staying more than 40 minutes when in contact with water. For very water-resistant types of sunscreens, its SPF level should stay for more than 80 minutes of water contact.
However, note that they aren’t waterproof. Thus, reapplication is needed.
Apart from the above, look for a water-resistant sunscreen that’s packed with Aloe Vera and vitamin E to nourish and moisturize your skin at the same time.
Those with antioxidants are a bonus as they help to neutralise free radical damage caused by UVA and UVB rays. This in extension prevents skin cancer and ensures your skin remains firm and youthful.