SKIN Sunscreen
Throughout this site you’ll find I often refer to three specific products that have made the greatest impact on my whole life, not just golf. One of those products is SKIN sunscreen. My entire life I’ve battled finding a decent sunscreen that does a good job of protecting my skin from UV rays, but also doesn’t cause my apparently ultra-sensitive skin to have any negative reactions. Throughout my life, I just learned to live with the fact that if I wanted to avoid skin cancer, I was going to have to endure red bumps, and even blisters, on my skin during the sunny season. That was until I was introduced to SKIN sunscreen products at the ripe old age of 30. Since that day, I have used nothing but SKIN products both on and off the course, and have converted my household to it as well.
The Products
SKIN Sunscreen offers three foundational products in their lineup. The first is your standard tube of SPF30+ lotion which is available in both 1.4oz and 3.4oz sizes. You may prefer to use a sunscreen spray instead to avoid getting your hands all full of lotion prior to swinging a club. Not to worry, SKIN offers a continuous spray SPF50 spray that’s water resistant, oil free, and won’t clog your pores or make you feel greasy all day. The third main product SKIN offers is their SPF30+ lip balm. In addition to protecting your lips from the sun, this lip balm also nourishes and moisturizes using Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Jojoba oil.
There are a few other products that SKIN offers as well. One of my favorites is the single-use foil pack. These foil packs have many of the same benefits of the SPF30+ lotion and are great for tossing a few in your bag and won’t take up too much space. Whether you need them on the course or at the park with your kids, these foil packs are a great quick sun protection solution.
The SKIN Difference
The ultimate goal is to protect your skin from the sun, but SKIN also believes in making sure your skin is healthy and they are using ingredients that are both great for your body and the environment. In Golf Digest‘s great endorsement of SKIN (welcome to the SKIN party, GD), Golf Digest makes some great points about understanding your sunscreen:
It’s important to understand that sunscreens fall into two main categories: those that contain mineral-based active ingredients that physically block the sun’s rays, and those that contain chemical ingredients that absorb the sun’s rays. Golf Digest endorses only mineral-based physical blockers. The ingredients to look for are zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Let me list for you the active ingredients in the SKIN lotions (the spray and lip balm have some differences):
- Homosalate 5.0%
- Octisalate 3.0%
- Octocrylene 5.0%
- Titanium Dioxide 1.0%
- Zinc Oxide 1.95%
You will note that both Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are in there and that this lotion falls into the “mineral-based” category. Additionally, SKIN’s SPF30+ lotion “has the highest sweat/water resistant ratings achievable with antioxidant enriched Manuka Honey fighting free radicals while hydrating your skin.”
Day-to-Day Life
Rather than try and address how well SKIN products would perform for any possible application, I’ll walk through how SKIN applies in my family’s day-to-day life.
As mentioned, my entire family is a SKIN sunscreen family. Like their old man, both of my kids have super sensitive skin. If my wife has time, she will apply the SPF30+ lotion every time. The lotion is the best option for your skin and provides the best protection, nevermind lasts the longest. In the event my wife doesn’t have the time and has to move quick, she’ll give the kids a quick spray with the SPF50 and throw the bottle in her purse for a reapplication later. As long as you use the lotion or spray properly and reapply as required, it will work well and protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, no one has greasy skin, adverse reactions from chemicals, or clogged pores.
To be clear, SKIN products are listed as water resistant, not waterproof. If you have a big day of swimming or water activities ahead of you, you may want to research more appropriate options.
On the Golf Course
On the golf course, I follow a similar suit. I always keep a SKIN spray in my bag along with a couple of single-use foil packs. Either right before I leave for the course or right when I get there, I prefer to have my initial coverage come from the SPF30+ lotion. In the event I’m unable to do so, I’ll give myself a spray with the SPF50 bottle. Both products give me great protection of the sun and hold up very well against heat, humidity, and sweat.
Oh, and I never leave the house without SKIN lip balm in my pocket. Golf or no golf…
Final Thoughts
In the description of the SKIN SPF30+ lotion, it says “specifically designed for golfers, by golfers…” You will receive zero argument from me that SKIN sunscreen is the best sunblock in golf. The deal maker for me has been that SKIN protects my skin so well, but I don’t have to suffer from wearing it. After years of literally painful skin reactions ranging from hives to severe breakouts from greasy clogged pores, finding SKIN was a godsend. Though the SKIN products say “Golf” on the label, they’re so much more than golf products. They’ve literally changed my life and I swear by them.
Thanks for this Bill! Gonna have to order some asap. As a fellow fareskinned (okay super pale) golfer/human, I’m a typical Banana Boat user. But clogged pores are an issue. I always feel like wearing sunscreen makes me sweat worse especially on my head and neck where I need it the most. I’ll let you know how it goes.