Suntribe sunscreen review
- a surf sunscreen

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Learn how to choose the right surf sunscreen
New to surf sunscreens? Check out my guide on how to choose a good surf sunscreen — plus a list of popular options that follow the tips I share.

Introduction

The Organic Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 from Suntribe is perfect surfing. While I haven’t tried an extensive amount of surf sunscreens (maybe because I like this one and stick to it most of the time), this is one of the best surf sunscreens I have tried so far. I have also tried Suntribe’s Organic Mineral Zinc Sun Stick SPF 50 in the color “Mud Tint”, which is a nice add-on to a sunscreen.

In this Suntribe sunscreen review I will share what it is I like about these two products, what you should consider when using them, and in what scenarios I personally don’t use these products (but you might!). This post is not sponsored — it’s just my honest opinion about the products, simply because I genuinely like them and want to recommend them to other surfers who might be looking for a natural, reliable sunscreen that actually works in the water. Let’s get into it! 

Suntribe sunscreen review — the Organic Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Product information

  • Product name: Organic Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
  • Where to buy: Suntribe’s website
  • Water resistance: 40 minutes
  • 100% natural sunscreen: Safe for you and nature, packaged in an eco-friendly sugar cane tube
  • Lightly tinted to blend in with your skin tone
Girl applying the Suntribe Organic Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

The Suntribe Organic Mineral Sunscreen is a 100% natural sunscreen that is lightly tinted to blend in with your skin tone (which I can confirm it does!)

What I like about this sunscreen

1. It gives a more natural look

Surf sunscreens that are not tinted often tend to leave a white cast over your face. And those that are tinted often have a quite unnatural color that makes your face look oddly orange or too dark, especially if you have light skin — but not this tinted Suntribe eco body & face sunscreen​! It has a light tint that blends in pretty nicely with your skin, and this is one of the main reasons I love this sunscreen.

Just like other surf sunscreens, it’s thick and doesn’t fully absorb into the skin. Instead, it sits on top as a physical barrier, which is exactly what helps it stay on during long surf sessions. Unlike other surf sunscreens I have tried though, this one does not have a paste-like texture. The paste-like texture that many surf sunscreens have makes the skin look a bit dry and chalky, with a thick, uneven look or a tint that doesn’t quite match your skin tone. This sunscreen has more of a creamy consistency that spreads smoothly and gives a more natural, even finish. It still provides a strong protection, but without making your face look overly “caked”.

2. It stays on and protects well

Like many sunscreens designed specifically for surfing, this one holds up really well in the water and doesn’t wash off easily. In my experience, general sport or water-resistant sunscreens tend to wear off much faster, which is why I think it’s important to choose a sunscreen that has a formula that is made to withstand long sessions in the ocean and constant sun exposure without breaking down or rinsing off.

According to Suntribe this Suntribe eco body & face sunscreen​ is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, but I have surfed with this sunscreen for up to two hours and it has stayed on during the full session.

3. It's reef safe

Unfortunately, the term “reef-safe” or “reef-friendly” is unregulated, so you can’t always trust products labeled that way (watch out for greenwashing). Instead, read through the list of ingredients of the sunscreen you plan to purchase to be sure it’s indeed reef-safe. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are the two main ingredients you should try to avoid, but there are several more ingredients to avoid which I have listed in this blog post.

I have done my own research (to my best knowledge) on this sunscreen from Suntribe and from what I can see it seems like it’s indeed reef-safe (just like they mention themselves) — definitely a big plus in my opinion so that we can protect our skin without harming the ocean too much. As surfers, we spend so much time in the water, and choosing a reef-safe sunscreen is a small but meaningful way we can help preserve the marine environments we love.

Suntribe sunscreen review — the Organic Mineral Zinc Sun Stick SPF 50

Product information

  • Product name: Organic Mineral Zinc Sun Stick SPF 50
  • Where to buy: Suntribe’s website
  • Water resistance: 80 minutes
  • 100% natural zinc sun stick: Plastic-free cardboard sun stick that is safe for you and nature
  • Come in different colors: Original White, Mud Tint, Ocean Blue, Pretty Pink, and Mint Green (I prefered the Mud Tint)

Put the zinc sun stick on top of your sunscreen on sensitive areas like under your eyes and on your nose — it adds an extra layer of protection where you need it the most, and it stays on longer than the sunscreen

What I like about this zinc sun stick

The zinc sun stick from Suntribe is a great add-on to the sunscreen for extra protection and longer protection — the sunscreen from Suntribe is water resistant for up to 40 minutes while this zinc sun stick is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. It’s good to add to sensitive areas like under the eyes and on your nose. If you have sun-sensitive skin you can of course apply it to your full face.

I like to put on sunscreen first, and then I sometimes add some zinc to sensitive areas where I usually burn — especially if I am surfing during peak UV index hours or if I have not built up a strong tan yet.

Unfortunately, unlike the sunscreen from Suntribe that I have reviewed in this post, this zinc sun stick does leave a bit of a cast on your face and so does all other zinc products from other brands too — it’s unavoidable if you want to stay safe from the sun. I like to use the color “Mud Tint” to at least make the cast look a bit more natural on my skin.

Who are these products for?

What I recommend using these products for

I highly recommend these two products for surfing and other water sports where you spend extensive time in the water and the sun. The Suntribe eco body & face sunscreen​ gives a more natural look compared to many other surf sunscreens, both products are good for both you and nature, and they stay on and protect well for longer periods in the water.

What I personally don't use these products for (but others might!)

These are my personal opinions, and others might not agree — I’ve already come across Suntribe sunscreen reviews that differ from mine. So, take this with a grain of salt and feel free to try the products yourself to form your own opinion. I still believe it’s helpful to share my honest perspective.

Personally, I prefer to use these products mainly for surfing or other water sports. I might wear the sunscreen on a beach day, but if I’m not spending a lot of time in the water, I usually opt for a lighter formula.

As for everyday use, that’s not my preference either. While I do wear sunscreen daily, I found both this sunscreen and the Suntribe day cream to be too thick for my skin — they made it look a bit oily and heavy, and my skin is already a bit oily during the summer months. For daily wear, I prefer something lighter and more breathable that absorbs easily. That said, the Suntribe day cream has received great reviews, so this is just my personal experience that does not apply to everyone!

One more thing to keep in mind: because the sunscreen is tinted, it can smudge, especially if you sweat or touch your face and then your clothes. I’d recommend avoiding white or light-colored clothing when using it to prevent any visible transfer.

Girl applying the Suntribe Organic Mineral Zinc Sun Stick SPF 50

Suntribe sunscreen products are perfect for surfing and other water sports where you spend extensive time in the water and the sun

Comments

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this post! Whether you have suggestions for improvement, want to share what you liked, or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Your feedback helps me create better content for all aspiring surfers!

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