Sunscreen for Outdoor Workers That You'll Actually Wear

Roofers, landscapers, linemen, farmhands, road crews: if you work outside, you get more sun in a month than most people get all summer. That exposure adds up over years, and outdoor workers face a higher risk of skin cancer because of it. The trouble is that most sunscreen feels greasy, runs into your eyes and sweats off by lunch. Here's how to get protection you'll actually keep using.

Why It's Worth the Hassle

Sunburn is the obvious damage, but the bigger problem is the damage you don't feel. Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun damages skin cells every time you're exposed, even on cloudy days and even if you tan instead of burn. Over years, that leads to wrinkled, leathery skin and raises the risk of skin cancer. The back of the neck, ears, nose, forearms and the backs of the hands take the most.

Protection doesn't have to be perfect to help. Every bit of sun you block reduces the damage.

What to Look for on the Label

• Broad spectrum. This means it protects against both UVA rays, which age the skin, and UVB rays, which cause burns.
• SPF 30 or higher. This is the level dermatologists commonly recommend for daily outdoor use.
• Water resistant. Labels say "water resistant (40 minutes)" or "(80 minutes)." For sweaty work, 80 minutes is the better choice. No sunscreen is truly waterproof or sweatproof.

Finding One You'll Actually Wear

The best sunscreen is the one you'll put on every morning. If you hate the feel of lotion, try a different form:

• Sport or gel formulas feel lighter and less greasy, and many are made to hold up to sweat.
• Sticks are easy for the face, ears and nose, and they're less likely to run into your eyes when you sweat.
• Sprays are quick for arms and the back of the neck. Spray until the skin looks wet, then rub it in. Don't spray directly on your face or breathe it in.
• Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are often less irritating to sensitive skin and less likely to sting your eyes.

If sunscreen in your eyes is your main complaint, use a stick on your forehead and around your eyes, and a sweatband or a hard hat liner to catch sweat.

How to Apply It So It Works

• Put it on before you head out, ideally about 15 minutes before sun exposure.
• Use enough. Most people use far too little. For exposed skin on the face, neck, ears and arms, don't be stingy. Covering the whole body takes about a shot glass worth.
• Don't miss the spots: tops of the ears, back of the neck, the part in your hair if it's thin, and the backs of your hands.
• Reapply at least every two hours, and right away after heavy sweating or toweling off. Keep a stick in your pocket or the truck and reapply at breaks.

Let Your Clothes Do the Heavy Lifting

Sunscreen is only part of the plan. For people outside all day, covering up does most of the work and never needs reapplying:

• Long-sleeve, lightweight work shirts. Many are made with sun protection ratings (UPF) and vents to stay cool.
• Hats with a brim, or a brim and neck flap attachment for a hard hat. A baseball cap leaves your ears and neck exposed.
• Neck gaiters that cover the neck and can pull up over the face.
• Sunglasses or safety glasses with UV protection. Your eyes take sun damage too.
• Shade at breaks whenever you can find or make it, especially in the middle of the day when UV is strongest.

Don't Forget Your Lips

Lips burn and crack easily, and they have no natural protection. A lip balm with SPF 15 or higher, reapplied through the day, is cheap insurance.

Heat Safety Goes Hand in Hand

Long days in the sun also bring heat illness risk. Drink water regularly, before you feel thirsty. Take breaks in the shade. Know the warning signs of heat exhaustion, like heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea and weakness, and get to shade and cool down if they show up. Confusion, fainting or hot, dry skin can mean heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. Call 911.

Check Your Skin

Once a month, take a look at your skin, including your back with a mirror or a partner's help. See a doctor about any spot that is new, growing, changing in shape or color, itching or bleeding, or a sore that doesn't heal. Caught early, most skin cancers are very treatable.

Sunscreen is easiest to remember when it's built into your morning. See our 5-minute grooming routine for early shifts, or browse all of our guides.