Don't Sweat It: Sunscreens That Last

You already know that you probably need to apply more sunscreen, but with all the options available, which do you choose? When it comes to outdoor workouts, it's not just about SPF, but also about the sweat factor. Here's the results of a few we recently tested:

Arnold Palmer DriGrip Sunscreen
Not surprisingly, the Arnold Palmer sunscreen ($9.95 for 3 oz.) is designed for golfers, but the formula is great for any athlete who doesn't want her sunscreen to make her grip slippery. The sunscreen dries to a powder finish so it doesn't feel greasy or moist at all -- this is especially important as you go to reapply in the middle of something like a golf or tennis game. It only comes in SPF 30, and was fully effective in our test (running with a dog leash in hand).

However, because of the way it dries to a powder, it really leaves a mess if you get it on your clothes. A larger bottle would be great as well, as three ounces doesn't last long if it's being passed around on the green.

Peter Thomas Roth Uber-Dry Sunscreen
We've used other Peter Thomas Roth products and have always been pleased, and this was no exception. The PTR Uber-Dry Sunscreen ($26 for 4.2 oz.) provides adequate sun protection at SPF 30, and it felt just like our regular moisturizer, which makes it great to put on underneath makeup.

We tested this on our face, neck and chest on a sweaty hike through a rain forest, and emerged with no burn or uneven coverage, so we can attest that it works well. However, since it's a bit pricey, we reserved it just for our more breakout-prone areas to make it last longer.

Coppertone Sport
Coppertone Sport Sunscreen (generally under $10 for 6 to 8 oz.) isn't new to most of us -- we've been using it for years. What we hadn't known, however, was what a wide variety of sport-specific sunscreens the brand offers. A sampling of the different products were sent to That's Fit, ranging from SPF 30 in a regular "Ultra Sweatproof" lotion to SPF 50 made specifically for the fact, all the way up to a "Very Sweat Resistant" continuous spray in SPF 100+. All are waterproof and contain antioxidants, and the continuous spray bottles both lock and spray at any angle.

We really liked having the option of lotion to apply before activity and spray when we were ready to reapply. And, since it's so affordable, it's easy enough to stock up on a bottle for the face, a lotion and a spray (and maybe even a sunscreen stick for quick, hands-free application). Although we were happy with all the sunscreens we tested, when it comes time to shop for it ourselves, we'll probably opt for Coppertone.

Athletes have specific skincare needs, and while the sunscreens above have your fun in the sun covered, MISSION Product has lots of other issues under control.