After the best sunscreen for sport? 12 that passed my meticulous sweat tests

It’s perhaps the ultimate extreme-running sunscreen. A RW tester used this to fend off the Saharan sun in the Marathon des Sables. The spray bottle makes application mess-free, while a liberal coating protects from everything our local star can throw at you for 10 hours. It’s completely water- and sweat-resistant, too.

Supergroup! was created off the back of founder Holly Thaggard’s hatred of greasy textures, chalky finishes and dubious ingredients when it comes to sunscreen, so you know this is a quality product. In fact, it's one of our e-commerce editors favourite products overall (she's been using it for over a year): the lotion is completely invisible, water and sweat-resistant, lightweight, fast-absorbing and smells delicious too. We've also found it sits well under make-up. Plus, it’s coral reef safe, making this a great option for surfers or sea swimmers. It’s factor 50, but you will need to reapply it if you're out for several hours.

If you’ve ever had a sunscreen sting your eyes mid sweaty-run, you’ll appreciate this ultralight fluid from La Roche-Posay. Designed for sensitive skin, it delivers SPF50+ protection without triggering itching or irritation – even during sweaty efforts. ‘I use this day-to-day, as well as on runs,’ said one tester, who's prone to sensitivities.

The formula is on the runny side, so go easy on the squeeze, but once applied, it disappears quickly with no greasy residue or white sheen. It’s also packed with broad-spectrum filters, including the brand’s UVMune 400 technology to protect against even the most persistent UV rays. Yes, it’s a premium buy for a 50ml bottle, but when you’re relying on it to perform through hours of training, it’s worth the investment.

This one is definitely on the premium end of the sunscreen spectrum, but it doubles up as a lightweight daily moisturiser with avocado oil, neroli oil and Nordic pine bark to boost skin cell regeneration and leave you feeling fresh. The formula is pretty thick, but a little goes a long way: we find you only need a tiny pump, and it delivers a luxurious, 'barely-there' feel. A great option if you want something hydrating that will sit well under make-up.

With a water-gel consistency, this SPF from Glossier doesn’t feel sticky or greasy, instead it glides on and is super easy to apply. Better yet, it’s completely undetectable thanks to it’s transparent formula, which absorbs into the skin quickly without leaving white cast and sits beautifully under make-up.

Offering SPF 35 protection against UVA and UVB rays, this suncream isn’t advertised as a sports-specific suncream, but we really rate it as a everyday option that’s easy to use and doesn’t clog your pores when you get a sweat on. It also contains antioxidants, including vitamin E, broccoli, and aloe leaf to help protect against free radicals – and it smells fresh, too.

The best overpronation running shoes, expert-tested (and reapply if needed), quick-drying and non-greasy high-grade protection whereyou need it most. Our tester was particularly impressed by the scalp protection – a great option when the sun is in full effect but you don’t want to wear a cap.

A great option for ultra-endurance athletes, cyclists, or anyone planning to play sports outside in the summer. Pelotan has been developed to offer eight hours of sun protection, so you only need to apply it once. You might assume this would make the formula thick and greasy, but it's quite the opposite, ticking all our requirements for an awesome sport sunscreen: clear, lightweight, non-greasy and breathable. We tested this at a fitness retreat in Crete (which involved boxing and strength classes in the midday sun), and we impressively didn't burn once. It sprays on easily, isn't sticky and it actually smells nice, too. Big, big fans.

Lightweight, sweat-resistant and non-greasy, this SPF 50+ liquid suncream is suitable for normal, combination and sensitive skin and provides triple protection against UVA, UVB and blue light. It also contains powerful antioxidants which means it can help shield the skin from pollution and other environmental aggressors. We found it sat perfectly on top of our normal, everyday moisturiser – and didn’t flake underneath makeup – and thanks to its liquid consistency it absorbs super quickly and doesn't leave any annoying white cast. The small 40ml bottle is particularly useful for chucking in your backpack or hydration vest for on-the-go use (and complies with travel-size toiletry requirements). Plus, the bottle and cap are made from 50% recycled plastic.

Water-resistant (for up to 80 minutes), this is a solid option for any budding triathletes or open-water swimmers. It's one of the most lightweight formulas we've tried, too: there's absolutely zero grease, and it blends smoothly into the skin without leaving that 'sunscreen film'. It's a pricer option, but it's a high-quality product that won't disappoint — trust us, one RW Best for wearing under make-up.

euro;16 at Amazon sport-specific sunscreen with additional peppermint oil extract, but we prefer this 100% mineral, non-nano Zinc Oxide number best. Providing excellent high-factor defence against UVA and UVB rays, the formula is relatively thick but applies evenly to the skin, without leaving you feeling greasy. In fact, testers reported that it’s ideal for greasy skin, as it feels very lightweight and breathable. Aloe vera extract helps to sooth and protect, too. It also scored additional points with our testers for being certified organic, cruelty-free and vegan.

Our only gripes? We wish it came in a slighter larger size than 50ml, as you’ll get through it fairly quickly if you’re using it on your body, as well as your face. Also, while the pump design keeps things mess-free, it does mean you can’t quite squeeze every morsel out of the tube as you get near the end.

Still, it's a fantastic product that's seen our tester through a 100km ultramarathon on one of the hottest days of the year — without sunburn. High praise indeed.

This Supergoop primer not only helps protect your skin, but it also leaves you with a beautiful, luminous glow. While not technically tinted, it does have a pearlescent sheen that looks great when worn alone or under makeup. This formula also packs hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and niacinamide, all of which help keep your skin clear and bright. As an added bonus, it protects from blue light, which is especially helpful if you spend a lot of time in front of your computer or on your phone during the day.

Another quick-dry oil, this spray is easy to apply and soaks in fast. The water- and sweat-resistant barrier lasts all day and offers full protection for your body, face and scalp. Our tester used it while running in the 30°C Dubai desert heat and it performed perfectly.