Surfers face some of the most intense sun exposure of any outdoor athlete. Between reflective water, wind, salt, and hours spent in the line-up, your skin takes a serious beating from sunrise to sunset. The good news? With the right routine and the right products, you can protect your skin from first paddle to final rinse without missing a single wave.
Why Surfers Need More Than Regular Sunscreen
Spending a few hours at the beach is one thing. Dawn patrol through to a sunset session is another. The ocean amplifies UV exposure, water reflects up to 80% of the sun's rays back at you, meaning you're getting hit from above and below. Add in the drying effects of salt water, the friction of a wetsuit, and the wind chill factor, and your skin needs protection on multiple fronts.[1]
Standard sunscreens also simply aren't built for water sports. Chemical-based formulas wash off quickly, sting the eyes and need frequent reapplication. Mineral-based sunscreens, like those built on zinc oxide, physically block UVA and UVB rays and stay put in the water which is why they're the go-to choice for serious surfers.[2][1]
Before You Paddle Out: The Foundation
Surf Clay or Sun Stick - Same Formulation, different application format
Surf Clay Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+
Your pre-surf routine starts with full-body mineral protection. Ocean Freedom's Surf Clay SPF50+ is a mineral sunscreen using zinc oxide to deliver broad-spectrum protection by blocking both UVA and UVB rays. It's very water-resistant, dermatologist approved, CANSA approved, and reef-safe meaning it won't harm marine life while you arere out there.[3][1]
Surf Clay is available in multiple shades calibrated to the Fitzpatrick Scale, so you get protection that blends naturally with your skin tone:[4]
- Soft Sand — for very light to light skin tones (Fitzpatrick Type I–II)
- Light Tan — for medium to olive skin tones (Fitzpatrick Type III–IV)
- Dark Tan — for brown to deep skin tones (Fitzpatrick Type V–VI)
- Clear — a transparent formula suitable for all skin tones
Unlike chemical sunscreens, Surf Clay doesn't block pores or contain skin-irritating chemicals, making it ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Apply at least 15 minutes before heading into the sun or water, covering all exposed areas including face, neck, ears, back of hands and feet.[5][1]
Sun Stick: Precision Protection for Face, Ears & Lips
For high-exposure areas that need extra coverage the nose, ears, lips, and under the eyes reach for the Ocean Freedom Sun Stick Surf Clay Mineral SPF50+. Available in clear, tan and multiple colurs the stick format makes it easy to apply without you touching the sunscreen.[6][7]
The Sun Stick uses the same mineral zinc oxide and titanium dioxide formula as Surf Clay, is very water-resistant, fragrance-free, paraben-free and sulphate-free. It's compact enough to slip into your boardshorts pocket or the front pouch of your board bag no excuses for skipping the re-apply during a long session.[8]
Suiting Up: Don't Forget the Wetsuit Line
Anti Chafe Balm
Anyone who's worn a wetsuit for more than an hour knows the burn not just from the sun, but from the suit itself. The neoprene edge around the neck, wrists, ankles and zip line creates constant friction that can leave you raw and red before you've even caught your best wave.
Ocean Freedom's Anti Chafe Balm creates a protective barrier on skin prone to chafing, reducing friction and minimising the risk of painful irritation. Formulated with castor oil, carnauba wax, beeswax and tea tree oil, it has antibacterial properties to keep chafed skin clean and it's reef-safe, paraben-free and sulphate-free.[9][10]
Apply a thin layer directly to the wetsuit contact areas before suiting up neck, wrists, ankles and underarms. It works equally well for rash vest lines, harness rubbing (if you're into kite or windsurf) and even long paddling sessions on a SUP or outrigger.[11]
In the Water: Staying Protected Through Long Sessions
Mineral sunscreen is your best ally for long sessions because it requires less frequent reapplication than chemical alternatives it doesn't absorb into the skin and break down, it sits on the surface and physically deflects UV rays. That said, after swimming, sweating, or towel drying, always reapply especially to the face, ears, and the back of the neck.[1][6][5]
Keep your Sun Stick nearby, a quick swipe across the nose and cheeks mid-session takes five seconds and can save you from serious sun damage over a lifetime of surfing.
Tips for in-session protection:
- Reapply Surf Clay and Sun Stick every 80 minutes in the water, or every 2 hours out of it [1]
- Pay extra attention to the tops of feet and the back of the hands when paddling
- Wear a rash vest or wetsuit to reduce the total surface area needing sunscreen
- Apply Anti Chafe Balm before long paddle sessions, not just when wearing a wetsuit
Post-Session: Cool, Soothe & Recover
The session is done but your skin care routine isn't. Hours of UV exposure, salt water, and wind leave skin dehydrated, tight and sometimes inflamed. This is when recovery matters most.
After Sun Gel
Ocean Freedom's After Sun Gel is formulated to cool, soothe and hydrate sun-exposed skin. Enriched with aloe vera and lavender, it delivers instant cooling relief while helping restore your skin's moisture balance, reducing redness, discomfort and the tightness that sets in after a long day in the elements.[12][13]
Its lightweight texture absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue and it's paraben-free, sulphate-free and cruelty-free. Apply liberally to any sun-exposed areas as soon as you're out of the water. It's suitable for all skin types and works beautifully on kids too handy after a family beach day.[14][12]
Ingredients include aloe vera, glycerine, lavender oil and calendula extract...all chosen for their calming and hydrating properties.[13]
African Revive Face Wash: Remove Sunscreen the Right Way
Mineral sunscreen is designed to stay on your skin which is exactly what you want in the water, but not what you want on your pillow at night. Simply rinsing with water isn't enough to remove zinc oxide-based formulas, which sit on the surface of the skin rather than absorbing into it.[15]
Ocean Freedom's African Revive Face Wash is the final step of your surf day skincare routine. Featuring African botanical ingredients including baobab and marula oils alongside soothing aloe vera, it gently but effectively breaks down and removes sunscreen residue, salt, sand and the day's grime. It cleanses without stripping your skin of its natural oils important after a day that's already left your skin working hard to stay hydrated.[16]
Use it as part of a double-cleanse if you've been out for an extended session: first rinse the face with water to remove surface salt and sand, then lather the African Revive Face Wash to lift the remaining sunscreen and impurities. Your skin will feel fresh, clean and ready to recover overnight.[15]
The Complete Daily Surf Routine
| 1. Sun protection | 15 min before paddling out | Surf Clay SPF50+ |
| 2. Precision face & lip protection | 15 min before paddling out | Sun Stick SPF50+ |
| 3. Wetsuit & friction protection | Before suiting up | Anti Chafe Balm |
| 4. Mid-session reapply | Every 80 min in water | Sun Stick SPF50+ |
| 5. Post-session soothe | Straight out of the water | After Sun Gel |
| 6. Cleanse & remove sunscreen | End of day | African Revive Face Wash |
A Note on Reef Safety
Every product in this routine is reef-safe free from oxybenzone, octinoxate and other chemicals known to damage coral reefs and marine ecosystems. For surfers who love the ocean, this matters. Every rinse in the lineup, every wipeout, every roll in the whitewater sends trace amounts of what's on your skin into the water. Choosing mineral, reef-safe formulas is one of the simplest ways to protect the breaks you love for yourself and for generations of surfers to come.[17][9][3]
All Ocean Freedom products are made in South Africa, not tested on animals, and formulated free from parabens and sulphates.
Sources:
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https://argaiters.co.za/products/ocean-freedom-surf-clay-spf-50
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https://oceanfreedom.com/products/surf-clay-light-tan-mineral-sunscreen
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https://oceanfreedom.com/products/surf-clay-clear-mineral-sunscreen
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https://oceanfreedom.com/products/6g-surf-clay-clear-mineral-sun-stick-spf50
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https://oceanfreedom.com/products/surf-clay-pink-mineral-sun-stick-spf50
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https://oceanfreedom.com/products/anti-chafe-balm
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https://www.faithful-to-nature.co.za/ocean-freedom-anti-chafe-balm
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https://oceanfreedom.com/blogs/news/from-waves-to-trails-multi-use-skincare-for-the-outdoor-adventurer
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https://oceanfreedom.com/products/after-sun-gel
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https://www.ohmyhealth.co.za/shop/body/ocean-freedom-after-sun-gel/
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https://wellnesswarehouse.com/products/ocean-freedom-after-sun-gel-100ml-100ml-00519600001020
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https://wotnot.com.au/blogs/news/how-to-remove-natural-mineral-zinc-sunscreen-from-your-skin
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https://www.instagram.com/p/DPhG1FEARw0/ (Ocean Freedom African Revive Face Wash)
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https://groundswellballito.com/collections/ocean-freedom
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https://oceanfreedom.com/pages/faq
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https://www.instagram.com/p/DXyd58wgpUA/
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https://wellnesswarehouse.com/products/ocean-freedom-sun-stick-spf50-clear-26g-26g-00519600007379
