Ready to head outside for exercise and summer fun? It’s never too early or too late to think about summer skincare products and habits to protect your face and body from the harmful rays of the sun. This post contains affiliate links.
Summer Skincare and Sun Protection Products for Runners
Now, is the perfect time to think about your personal skincare protection plan. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. 20% of Americans will develop skin cancer of some sort. See here for more information on screening.
Do runners need to wear sunscreen?
You bet they do! Yes, even if you go out early it is recommended that you wear sunscreen. It is best to apply your sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you head out for your run. Sunscreen should be worn all year round while running outdoors. Yes, even in the wintertime. You can do damage to your skin in just 15 minutes of sun exposure.
I am the first to admit that I neglected taking summer skincare and sun protection seriously for decades. Unfortunately, I have already had a few minor skin cancer (and pre-cancerous) spots removed in the past few years. It is not a pleasant experience.
Sunscreens for face and body
These are a few of my go-to, runner-tested products for the face and body.
Elta MD Tinted Facial Sunscreen was recommended to me by my Dermatologist. What I love about it: slightly tinted to give a little color, it is great for sensitive skin, mineral-based, water-resistant, and provides UVA/UVB protection. Find it here on Amazon.
SuperGoop GlowScreen I fell in love with this product a few years back. What makes it great: It is super easy to blend in and feels light on the skin. Glowscreen also has a shimmery tint to it and gives a “dewy” glow. Can be used alone or under makeup as an everyday SPF. I have run tested it for over a year and it does not sweat off or leave any streaks. It has some Vitamin B and hyaluronic acid.
Bright-Eyed Mineral Eye Cream with SPF 40. Even if you wear a hat, visor, or sunglasses, your eyes need sunscreen. 100% mineral. What I love: no stinging eyes! It is fast absorbing with a slight tint to cover up those dark circles.
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For full-body protection, I like Coppertone Sport 50 SPF products. What I like: Does not feel sticky or irritate my skin. Does well with sweaty activities, water-resistant, and is very economical.
What are some other ways runners can protect their skin?
Wearing a hat or visor and sunglasses adds another layer of protection against the sun and may keep you cooler. Staying hydrated during the summer helps to protect your skin as well. Using a lip balm with SPF helps add a layer of protection where sunscreen is often overlooked. Heading out earlier in the day or in the evening does help to limit damage from the sun.
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While we cannot reverse or undo the sun damage we have already sustained, we can take steps to limit further damage. Wearing sunscreen, hats and even clothing with SPF protection goes a long way without much effort.
Thanks for helping to make the Runners’ Roundup a huge success by visiting all of the hosts: Me, Debbie, Jen, Lisa
Great recommendations! I hate it when the sweat and the sunscreen get in our eyes and make them burn.
Great that the Bright Eyed Mineral Eye Cream doesn’t do that!
No it’s fantastic and my new fave product of the year
I have to admit that I’m very bad about sunscreen and I am paying the price for that. I’ll have to try this supergoop brand! Thanks for the recommendation.
I was really lax about it for years and now I have had a few issues. I love the Supergoop brand and don’t ind wearing it while I sweat
A tinted sunscreen sounds perfect for a day when you know you’ll be outside but want a little something. I’ll have to check that out before my beach trip!
I do really like the tint!
I love Coppertone, they have the best sunscreen for such a good price. I also want to try supergoop
I like the Coppertone for full body. I am enjoying all of the new Super Goop products for the face especially for sweaty endeavors
I had never heard of the Supergoop product line until you mentioned it in your other post. I like that they have a slight tint to them … gonna check them out pronto!
I think you are going to love the products very high quality
This is perfect! I have been running outside a lot lately, so I really needed this. Thanks!
thanks hope I gave you some ideas
I’m very impressed that sunscreen doesn’t run and sting your eyes when you sweat. I’m going to check it out! I use Neutrogena for Face on my face and chest but mostly I run early and in shaded areas with a hat and sunglasses. Not enough, I know.
I have had a few spots removed this year so I am really trying to be more careful. But yes, the eye cream does not sting
Coppertone is a classic, but I really like EltaMD! Always important to get that sunscreen on!
It sure is!
This is perfect timing. We are getting our summer outings started and I’ve been looking into taking better care of our skin this year.
Great hope some of these ideas work for you all
These products all sound great! I had not heard of the Super Goop, but I am looking forward to trying the lip blm.
You will love it!
I’m big on sunscreen since I have sensitive skin and a family history to watch out for. Thanks for sharing these products!
I have to be more careful myself too
These are some great recommendations. I haven’t heard of some of these. But I love the mineral based products. Will definitely have to check those out!
Great hope you find some you like too
I got so burned the other day! Yikes, I needed these suggestions.
oh good glad I gave you some ideas. Thanks for stopping by
Supergoop for the win for the name alone. I’m pretty good about suncreen because I burn so easily, and I’ve also had spots removed. Although I’m not a makeup wearer, I’m going ot look into glowscreen. I love the random stick I use for running, but it feels too heavy for daily face wear
For my body I love the neutrogena sand & beach one It smells so good-almost banana-y
I went through a few that felt too heavy for summer running and then found these. Hope they work for you too
Great tips and product, Deborah!
I have found that calf sleeves are also very useful to protect the calves from sunburn. They’re not very pretty, but they work. 🙂
I hope your skin cancer spots will stay away!
I never thought about calf sleeves for protection but sure why not! I hope they stay away too but it was a good reminder to be more vigilant
I’ve heard great things about Supergoop. I’m going to check that one out this summer. Since I have been so diligent abut putting sunscreen on Grayson its helped me remember to be better abut putting it on myself too.
Yes, that’s true when we have to apply it to our kids we have no excuse right!? I really love Supergoop products been using them for years
Great reminders! As you know, the bulk of my runs are in the wee hours, but I am kind of lax on using sunscreen for my lunch walks or after-work rides. My bad…
It really is important also keeps the wrinkles away!
I agree that sun protection is SO SO SO important! Now that I’m in my 30’s, I’m definitely taking it much more seriously. And I wish I would have cared a little more about it in my 20’s but don’t we all?
I wish I would have cared a lot more back 10 years ago as well
I’m totally guilty of going out early and skipping the sunscreen!
I used to do that all the time myself but I am really sorry that I did! Not too late to make changes 🙂 for both of us
PS I tried to comment on your blog and it thinks I am a bot 🙂
When I get out for a shorter run first thing I usually don’t wear sunscreen I know… but at least i only live in Florida. Just kidding- I know I should be using sunscreen all the time. Lately I’ve been using the Supergoop for my long runs and I love it.
Yes it’s really important to get in the habit of using it even if you go out early. Supergoop is great!
I to was guilty of not protecting my skin as well as I should. Having grown up in an era where we slathered on baby oil (and paid for it later) I should know better. And I am getting much better at it now.
I grew up with many of the same bad sun care habits. I am trying to make up for it!
Sunscreen is so important, and I love my SPF lip balm! I like SunBum because it’s not white. I have white all over my cabinets (that I really need to clean!) from sunscreen.
Yes some of them are messy!
I need to check out the Elta MD Tinted Facial Sunscreen, I am always look for a good tinted one that won’t cause breakouts on my sensitive skin.
It is a good one for sensitive skin check it out
I actually need a new sunscreen for my body. I have a lot of moles on my skin so I want to be extra protected
it is really so important Hopefully some of these will work for you
Adding this to my Amazon cart! I need to up my sunscreen game for summer. Such great options here.
I hope you enjoy them thanks
I need a new sunscreen for my face. Do you think the glowscreen would clog pores because I break out so easily?
If you break out easily, I would suggest the Elta MD one because it is especially designed for sensitive skin. It is very gentle and my Dermatologist loves it
I’m so bad at remembering to put sunscreen on. I should be better seeing as though I live in the sunniest state ever.
You are still young enough to prevent damage to your skin! Do it!
Super important tips!
I’m allergic to sunscreen, which makes it pretty tricky. Even when I’m at the beach, I wear a rash guard instead of taking my chances with a reaction. I have a couple of options for my face, but that’s where I’m at. 🙁
That is challenging I am sure.
I am a big fan of sun screen for outdoor fitness any time of year, and especially in the summer time! Gotta protect that skin!
Yes exactly me too
All great tips, Deborah, and you know I take this stuff seriously. I’m going to try the EltaMD with the tint. I hate the white pasty look I get with what I’m using.
I really do like a little tint as well. Can’t hurt!
I love FRE skincare sunscreen! I wear it every run, no matter the weather, since not doing so for a few years caused some skin damage.
That’s great it is so important to wear it daily
I’ve got to admit I only ever wore sunscreen on holiday, I’m definitely going to start wearing it daily. I need to take much better care of my skin now I’m almost 40
yes definitely! You will thank yourself later
Thanks for the tips. I’m good with my face and always wear a cap.
Not great with the rest of my body. But I tan easily and do not burn.
I tried that tanning argument w my derm and it did not fly 🙂
I’m a big fan of lip balm with SPF! I mostly try to avoid sun 10-2, but not always easy.
no its not. The sun is pretty strong by 8 am here right now
Ha ha… I looked at my older comment and nothing has changed! I still don’t use sunscreen for the early, shorter runs, (“Live and Don’t Learn” is apparently my motto) and use the SuperGoop for my long runs. At least I’m getting it on me for those long runs!
I have learned the hard way so I have been diligent with it for all runs. My derm still yells at me for getting tan! I also need to slow down the aging process 🙂
I’m lax on doing sunscreen for my early-morning activities (most mornings I’m pretty well-shaded because the sunrise is so low in the sky). But that’s not the case after work …thanks for the reminder!
I am for anything to keep aging as slow as possible!
I’m very hit or miss with sunblock on my face for my morning runs. I used a tinted moisturizer during the day with SPF but need to do better with those early runs.
I am trying to slow down the aging process as much as possible!
Great info! I struggle in the summer because of my sunscreen allergy. I just try to wear hats and sunglasses, and then cover up as much as I can and run before the sun comes all the way up.
that sounds challenging especially in Florida
I haven’t used an eye cream – I should look into finding one as I know the skin under the eye is extremely sensitive. I do well in summer with the sunscreen – but during winter, I tend to get lazy!
I have gotten into the habit of using it all year around. Have to slow down the aging process!
I’ve been much better about wearing sunscreen over the last few years. Supergoop is a great one! We have Thinkbaby for the kids so I end up wearing that alot too.
I wish I had paid more attention when I was younger
Great reminders! I don’t wear sunscreen in winter but I know I should!
The sun can be really strong in the winter months as well
i also have become more serious about my skin protection when I run. Skin cancer and Mohs surgery will do that to you. 🙂 It really is so important. I hat wearing hats but I do now. Anything to protect my skin.
I agree it is no fun to have spots taken off of you
Great recommends and important reminders! I’ve already been dipping into the sunless tanning/bronzing lotion (much safer than the other alternative). It’s nice that some products have a slight tint to them these days; they definitely look more natural and not “ghostly.”
I really like the lighter tinted SPF options and they do give a nice glow
I do wish there were more choices for clothing with SPF already in it, but what can you do?
I’m allergic to so many sunscreens, and it’s also so hot (difficult to wear long sleeves) so we just do the best we can.
I didn’t realize people were allergic to sunscreen. That does seem challenging
All great reminders here! I have been much better about wearing sunscreen over the last few years. I tend to just use whatever I buy for my kids.
I definitely regret not being more attentive to my skin in my younger years
Thanks, Deborah – these are such great recommendations and important reminders! I usually skip sunscreen when I start running before sunrise, but by the time I finish, the sun is definitely out. So yes – this is the perfect nudge to be better about wearing it every time!
I have to remind myself daily as well!
You will always have a great list of sunscreen and skin protection. It’s super important for us outside folks!
It sure is!
I also learned the hard way that I needed to take better care with sunscreen. I do not want to go through the Mohs surgery again! These are great suggestions. I need to be better at wearing a hat or visor, though. I find them uncomfortable but I know it’s important.
I do not want to have to have Mohs again either! Not fun at all