Does surfing ruin your skin?
James Craig
Published Jan 13, 2026
Surfing can be rather damaging to the skin. The frequent contact with the sea, sand, salt, and the wetsuit demands specific measures to keep your skin happy and healthy. Surfing is amazing for the body and the mind, but not so much for the skin.
How can I protect my skin while surfing?
5 tips to protect your surfer skin
- 1 - A good sunscreen applied regularly. For surfers it is recommended to use a Sunblock SPF 50. ...
- 2- Avoid surfing in the hours of intense sun. ...
- 3- Additional equipment. ...
- 4- Drink lots of water and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. ...
- 5- Know your skin.
Does surfing give you wrinkles?
At first it might seem bizarre that the body reacts to water this way. As it turns out, it's a good thing for us surfers. Scientists believe that the hands and feet wrinkling up are an adaptation to being in the water. The wrinkles work like tire treads draining water away from our fingertips.
Why is surfing bad for you?
Anyone who has surfed for more than a year has been injured. Fibreglass boards, sharp fins and other surfers present real danger. Reefs, rocks, sea urchins and coral are threats to the more intrepid surfers. Lacerations are common injuries and many surfers will receive stitches over the course of their surfing life.
Does surfing help with acne?
Did you know that salt water actually has amazing benefits for your skin? It can cleanse cuts and sores and even help clear up acne! Plus if you haven't noticed, dunking in salt water clears your nasal passageways if you're feeling congested beforehand.
28 related questions foundIs surfing good for your skin?
Surfing can be rather damaging to the skin. The frequent contact with the sea, sand, salt, and the wetsuit demands specific measures to keep your skin happy and healthy. Surfing is amazing for the body and the mind, but not so much for the skin.
What do surfers put on their face?
One of the biggest sunscreen trends we're seeing is surfers, athletes, celebs, and kids applying thick stripes of Zinka sunscreen on their faces. Think of it as colorful warrior stripes that are doing your face good too. The product contains zinc oxide to help protect against the sun's damaging rays.
Are surfers healthier?
Surfing provides many health benefits including: cardiovascular fitness – from paddling. shoulder and back strength – these muscles will strengthen from the paddling. leg and core strength – once you're standing up on the board, strong legs and a strong core will keep you up.
Why is surfing so addictive?
SURFING ADDICTION IS ALL ABOUT BRAIN CHEMISTRY
This results in you experiencing a flood of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. Once you feel the intense joy and pleasure, your body and brain want you to keep going back for more. If you feel irritable after a few days away from your board, this is likely the reason.
Is surfing everyday good?
Engaging in activities like surfing can help you maintain not just a healthy body but a more peaceful mind as well. Even if you don't live close enough to hit the beach every day for a session, the time you do spending surfing works to improve your balance, strengthen your core, and relieves stress.
How do you surf and not tan?
Top Tips for Preventing Sunburn Whilst Surfing
- Pre-apply sunscreen. Try applying your sunscreen at least 20 minutes before hitting the surf. ...
- Invest in broad-spectrum factors. ...
- Reapply regularly. ...
- Higher factors. ...
- Zinc it. ...
- Avoid peak hours. ...
- Cover up. ...
- On hand.
How can I protect my face from sun while surfing?
Sun-protective rash guards with Ultraviolet Protective Factor (UPF) and wetsuits that block the harmful rays of the sun are the best defense as they do not lose effectiveness in the water. These garments may not cover all exposed skin (face, ears, neck, hands, etc.) so sunscreen is needed as well.
Do surfers get sunburn?
Getting sunburned while surfing is easy to do if you are not careful. The suns reflection off of the water's surface causes increased exposure the harmful UV rays which can result in sunburn. The most common parts of the body that get sunburned while surfing are the back of the calves and the face.
How can I get better at surfing fast?
15 Exceptional Ways To Improve Your Surfing
- Be a skater. Getting a skating mindset and practising certain moves over and over again is a good way to learn airs. ...
- Feel the turn. Don't analyse manoeuvres too closely. ...
- Find a pusher. ...
- Humiliate yourself. ...
- Join a club. ...
- Be a groupie. ...
- Don't be proud. ...
- No crazy eyes.
Is surfing an aerobic exercise?
Surfing is moderately aerobic: You are moving large muscle groups enough to elevate your oxygen consumption during the paddling portions, and also while carrying your board up the beach, running out into the surf, and to some extent while shifting your weight on the board. It's also a great core workout.
Why do surfers love surfing?
But when the waves come, surfers are stoked. After catching some solid waves we're happier, friendlier and more relaxed. The endorphins, adrenalin and serotonin we receive from surfing combined with the dopamine from the unexpected reward of waves make surfers not only feel good, but wanting more.
Where do most surfers live?
The 10 Best Surf Cities in the World
- Cape Town.
- New York.
- San Francisco.
- Lisbon.
- Sydney.
- Rio de Janeiro.
- Los Angeles.
- Los Angeles.
Why do surfers wax their boards?
Surfboard wax (also known as surfwax) is a formulation of natural and/or synthetic wax for application to the deck of a surfboard, bodyboard, or skimboard, to keep the surfer from slipping off the board when paddling out or riding a wave. It is also used to increase grip on the paddle of a surf kayak or dragon boat.
Why are surfers so skinny?
Surfers get lean for many reasons. It is a combination of aerobic and resistance training work outs. Aerobics use fatty acids for fuel and recovery from intense muscle use also incorporates fatty acids for restoring energy, repairing, and rebuilding muscle.
Why do surfers have abs?
Each time a surfer stands up they're basically doing a push up. Going even further, really talented surfers will build muscle in their core and thighs while they're on a wave. The constant pumping up and down the wave engages these muscles by contracting and expanding the limbs.
Can you lose weight surfing?
While “losing weight” may be a misnomer since muscle is heavier than fat, surfing will definitely help you burn fat and excess calories. The average surfer burns 400 calories an hour while surfing. Since surfing is so fun, you're likely to spend more time doing it opposed to other grueling or boring forms of exercise.
Why do surfers have white noses?
A Nose By Any Other Name--or Color
Oh, and you'll be needing some zinc oxide to protect your nose from sunburn. You know zinc oxide. It's that slimy white stuff that surfers and lifeguards have been smearing on their proboscises since Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon first hit the sand in “Beach Party.”
Do surfers wear sunscreen?
If you're enjoying the surf for more extended periods, reapply sunscreen every two hours because the contact with the water is continuously deteriorating your sun care protection. Surfers wearing full wetsuits should apply a thick layer of sunscreen to the face, hands, and even feet.
What is the best surfing sunscreen?
What surf sunscreens are here?
- SurfDurt Original Sunblock – Our top all-rounder.
- Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 – Best for frequent surf travelers.
- Salt & Stone SPF 30 Facestick – Best for surfers with dry skin.
- Zinka Facestick SPF 50 – Best clear-look surf sunscreen.