6 Things to Know About Water-Resistant Sunscreen

The FDA only allows two durations for water-resistant sunscreen: 40 minutes and 80 minutes. No “all day” or “waterproof” claims are permitted because they are false.

If the label says “water-resistant (40 min),” the sunscreen protects for 40 minutes in water or while sweating. “80 min” gives you 80 minutes of protection.

The clock starts ticking the moment you get wet or start sweating. Even if you barely go in the water, you must reapply after the stated time.

Water-resistant means the sunscreen has been tested to stay on wet skin for that exact duration. After that time, it stops working effectively.

If you are not swimming or sweating, reapply every two hours regardless of the water-resistant claim. The water-resistant label only matters for water activities.

Always check the bottle for the number—40 or 80—and set a timer. Your skin will not argue with the rules.