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Sunscreen for Surfers
Shop sunscreen for surfers at Rider Shack in Venice Beach — one of the best sunscreen selections in Los Angeles. Sun Bum · Raw Elements · Vertra · Freaks of Nature · Shade · Aloe Gator · Zinka · Sex Wax
Mineral, reef-safe, tinted face sticks, sprays, lip balms, and after-sun care. Reef-safe sunscreen is a priority for surfers who care about the ocean they surf in.
Sunscreen for surfers — what you need to know
Surfers spend more time in direct sun than almost any other outdoor athlete. You're face-up in the water, reflected UV coming at you from the surface below and direct UV from above. SPF is not optional. Neither is reef-safe formulation — the ocean you surf in depends on it.
Mineral vs non-mineral sunscreen
Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide — physical ingredients that sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays away. They don't absorb into the bloodstream, they don't harm coral reefs, and they work immediately on application. The trade-off is a potential white cast, though modern tinted formulas have largely solved this.
Non-mineral sunscreens use chemical UV filters that absorb into the skin and convert UV rays into heat. They apply more sheer and blend easily. Sun Bum's original formula is Hawaii Act 104 compliant — free of oxybenzone and octinoxate, the two chemicals most harmful to coral reefs.
Reef-safe — what it actually means
Hawaii banned sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate in 2021. These chemicals wash off surfers and have been shown to bleach and kill coral reefs. All the brands we carry are reef-safe in some or all of their formulas — check individual product labels.
Sun Bum
Sun Bum — the most widely carried surf sunscreen brand. Original, Mineral, and Pro Series formulas in SPF 15 to 70. Hawaii Act 104 compliant, vegan, cruelty-free, Vitamin E enriched. Sprays, lotions, face sticks, lip balms, and after-sun care.
Raw Elements
Raw Elements — 23% non-nano zinc oxide as the only active ingredient. EWG's top-rated sunscreen. Certified natural, plastic-free tin packaging. Never runs or stings eyes. Tinted Bronze and Pearly Sand formulas eliminate the white cast.
Vertra
Vertra — surf-specific sunscreen with Mick Fanning and Shane Dorian pro surfer collaboration face sticks. Deeply tinted formulas in multiple skin tones from SPF 30 to 50. Also carries a mineral lotion, spray, and charcoal cleansing bar for removing tinted zinc.
Freaks of Nature
Freaks of Nature — performance skincare built for serious surfers. Daily Defender SPF 30 face moisturizer, Peak Performance sunscreen and SPF 50 sun stick, barrier balancing cleanser, and deep hydration for skin that spends hours in salt water.
Shade
Shade — tinted face sunscreen with real color-matching. SPF 40 face cream in Light, Medium, and Dark tints. SPF 50 tinted face sticks. Covers well, looks good in and out of the water.
Aloe Gator
Aloe Gator — SPF 40 lotion and gel, colored zinc oxide nose coat, and Green Stuff aloe vera gel. High-SPF aloe-based formulas at accessible prices.
Zinka
Zinka — the classic bright-colored zinc nose coat and SPF 50 colored face stick. Thick, waterproof, stays on during extended sessions.
Sex Wax
Sex Wax — SPF 50 face stick and the extremely popular SPF 30 lip balm. One of surfing's most iconic brands brings practical sun protection to the lineup. The Sex Wax lip balm is one of our best-selling sunscreen products.
Kelsen and Ancient Nature
Kelsen — zinc oxide paste, after-sun zinc removal and hydrating balm, and SPF 30 daily moisturizer. Ancient Nature — Bison Tallow Sun Balm, a natural tallow-based alternative sunscreen.
Face sticks — the surfer's format
A face stick is the most practical sunscreen format for surfing. Compact, no mess, applies directly to nose, cheeks, and ears without getting product on your hands before you paddle out. We stock face sticks from Sun Bum, Raw Elements, Vertra, Shade, Zinka, and Sex Wax across multiple tints and SPF levels.
After-sun care
After a session in the sun and salt water: Sun Bum Cool Down After Sun Gel, After Sun Lotion, and Aloe Cool Down Spray. Raw Elements Soothe Salve for targeted skin repair. Aloe Gator Green Stuff Aloe Vera Gel for classic aloe treatment.
How much SPF do you actually need?
SPF 30 minimum for surfing. SPF 50 for sessions of three or more hours. SPF 70 for extended days or high UV index — LA summer UV regularly hits 8 or above. Reapply every 80 minutes regardless of SPF rating.
