Water Resistant Sunscreen and Badger
In Brief |
Water resistant sunscreens must pass independent tests to prove they retain their stated SPF while swimming or sweating. |
Labels must now state 40min or 80min water resistance. “Sweat-proof”,“Waterproof” & "sunblock" claims are no longer allowed by the FDA. |
See Badger SUNSCREENS Other Sunscreen INFORMATION
The Water Resistant 40min symbol is on the following sunscreens: SPF 34 Lightly Scented, SPF 34 Unscented, SPF 34 Baby, SPF 30 Kids, and SPF 34 Anti-Bug sunscreen creams, as well as our SPF 18 Lightly Scented Sunscreen Cream.
The Water Resistant 80min symbol is on our SPF 35 Sport Sunscreen and SPF 35 All Season Face Stick.
The FDA only allows the claims 'Water Resistant (40 min)' or 'Water Resistant (80 min)' to be used on sunscreens sold in the USA. They no longer allow use of the term 'Waterproof sunscreen' as it is considered to be misleading since no sunscreen product is 100% waterproof.
'Water Resistant Sunscreen' means that the sunscreen retains its stated SPF value after a certain time (either 40 or 80 minutes) in water or while sweating. These tests must be conducted by a third party laboratory (usually the same lab that tests the SPF value of the sunscreen). Water resistance testing involves application of the appropriate amount of sunscreen to the human subject's arm, submerging that arm in what is essentially a Jacuzzi for 40 or 80 minutes (for 10 minute in, 10 minute out intervals), then measuring the SPF via usual testing procedures. If, after the submersion in hot bubbling water, the sunscreen still protects to the SPF written on the label, then the sunscreen can make a water-resistant claim.
Badger's Water Resistant Sunscreen Claims and Testing
Badger's sunscreen creams and sport sunscreens have a rich base of plant oils and beeswax and are naturally water resistant. All of Badger’s active sunscreen creams passed the 'Water Resistant (40 min)' test with flying colors. Our SPF 35 All-Season Face Stick and SPF 35 Sport Sunscreen passed the 80 minute test so we label them ‘Water Resistant (80 min)’. Additionally, our sunscreen creams also passed COLIPA's required water resistant sunscreen testing for the European Union. Click here to view our test results.
Badger's new Daily Sunscreen Lotions have not been tested for water resistance, so if you are planning on swimming or sweating these lotions may not give you the best protection. For swimming, building sand castles, lounging by the pool, taking a peaceful hike, or partaking in other low-resistance adventures, choose our Active Sunscreen Creams. If you plan to be in the water for over 40 minutes, or are engaged in strenuous physical activity such as surfing, skiing/snowboarding, or mountain biking, our Sport Sunscreens would be your best bet!
Note: Just because a sunscreen is labeled as 'water resistant: 40 minutes' does not mean that you can only stay in the water for 40 minutes. It simply means that after 40 minutes in the water you may start to see a decline in SPF protection, and you will need to reapply sunscreen to maintain its original SPF value. We always recommend that you reapply sunscreen every two hours or directly after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
Waterproof sunblock and sweatproof sunblock: These terms are no longer allowed by the FDA because no sun protection product is completely water-proof or sweat-proof, and no product truly 'blocks' the sun. These terms were thought to be misleading and promising of a higher level of protection than they really offer.
More Information:
FDA's Water Resistant Sunscreen Q & ASee Badger SUNSCREENS Other Sunscreen INFORMATION
