Why Athletes Need More Than Just Sunscreen
Outdoor athletes push their bodies to the limit under the sun’s harsh rays. Whether you're running, cycling, swimming, or hiking, prolonged sun exposure increases the risk of sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer. Traditional sun protection methods like sunscreen and skin creams should always be your first defense, but relying only on them isn't enough for those who sweat, train, and compete outdoors.
The Problems with Topical Sun Protection for Athletes
Sports Sunscreen: Effective but Imperfect
Sunscreen is the most common method of UV protection, but even products specifically designed for outdoor activity come with major flaws that make them unreliable for athletes:
- Sunscreen wears off quickly, especially when exposed to sweat and water. Even “water-resistant” formulas last only 40 to 80 minutes before requiring reapplication.
- Stopping to apply more sunscreen mid-race or session is important, but if you're in the middle of a long run, swim, or cycling session, stopping to reapply sunscreen is impractical when you’re focused on performance.
- Many chemical sunscreens contain ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been linked to hormone disruption and environmental damage. While mineral sunscreens are safer, they tend to be thick, greasy, and difficult to apply evenly. Spray sunscreens often result in uneven coverage, leaving some areas exposed to sunburn.
- Sunscreen protects only the areas where it is applied. If you miss a spot or don’t apply enough, your skin remains vulnerable. No sunscreen provides complete UV protection, and sweating or wiping your face can remove the protective layer.
Why Daily SPF Creams and Moisturizers Aren't Enough for Athletes
Many athletes mistakenly rely on daily moisturizers or general skin creams with SPF, like lightweight facial moisturizers or basic body lotions. While these are fine for casual sun exposure, they’re not designed for intense outdoor activity. Here’s why:
First, SPF protection falls short. Most daily creams offer SPF 15 to 30, which is insufficient for athletes spending hours outdoors. Even high-SPF versions degrade faster when exposed to sweat and heat, leaving skin vulnerable. Additionally, these creams aren’t formulated to maintain their SPF effectiveness under harsh conditions.
Second, the texture becomes a liability. Heavier formulations in some daily creams can clog pores or trap sweat and dirt, leading to breakouts or irritation, a nightmare for runners or cyclists. Others can feel sticky or greasy, causing discomfort during prolonged activity.
360 Sun Shield: A Smarter Addition to Sun Protection
Internal Sun Protection for Athletes
Both sports sunscreens and regular daily moisturizers with SPF provide only external protection, but sun damage occurs at a deeper level. UV exposure generates free radicals that damage skin cells, break down collagen, and accelerate aging. A sun protection supplement works from the inside out to strengthen the body’s natural defenses against UV radiation, acting as a backup for your sunscreen.
How 360 Sun Shield Works
360 Sun Shield is formulated with antioxidants and skin-protective nutrients that help the body resist UV damage. The key ingredients include polypodium leucotomos, astaxanthin, and vitamin C, all of which have been shown to reduce sunburn risk, protect collagen, and fight oxidative stress.
This supplement does not wash away. Unlike sunscreen, it provides continuous protection, making it ideal for athletes who cannot afford to stop their training to reapply lotion every hour.
UV exposure leads to skin aging, wrinkles, and sunspots. The ingredients in 360 Sun Shield protect your skin from prolonged sun exposure, helping to maintain a youthful and healthy complexion.
Related: How to Maximize the Benefits of Sun Protection Supplements
Who Should Take 360 Sun Shield
- Runners, cyclists, and hikers seeking added protection during long outdoor sessions.
- Surfers and swimmers looking to enhance their UV defense in water.
- Skiers and snowboarders facing high-altitude sun exposure.
- Anyone who spends significant time outdoors without easy access to sunscreen reapplication can use 360 Sun Shield to supplement their UV protection.
A Smarter, Stronger Defense Against the Sun
For outdoor athletes, traditional sun protection is not enough. Sunscreen and skin creams are important and should always be your primary defense, but sweat, water, and the difficulty of reapplying during intense activity mean you might not be fully covered. That’s where 360 Sun Shield can make a difference to complement your sun protection strategy.
360 Sun Shield provides an internal layer of UV protection that works in conjunction with external methods to keep your skin healthier, stronger, and more resilient.
Instead of relying solely on sunscreen, take control of your skin’s defense with a sun protection supplement designed for those who push the limits in the great outdoors.