Aug 07, 2025

Sunscreen Guide for Surfers

If you’re anything like us, your best moments are in the water and in the sun. Maybe it’s a lunch hour mini session in between meetings. Maybe it’s piling the kids into the van for a beach day at the local break. Or maybe it’s just carving out 90 minutes after work to let the stress of the day wash off in the lineup. Whatever your rhythm, if you surf regularly, your skin sees a lot of sun.

At Degree 33 Surfboards, we’ve spent a couple of decades helping surfers find the right board for the right wave—and to enjoy more time in the water. But the truth is, our love for surfing doesn’t stop at shapes and rails. We care about the full surf lifestyle—from what’s under your feet to what’s on your skin. And when it comes to sunscreen, we’ve tried them all. Which is why we’re stoked to share a product that we genuinely believe in: Rad Wax Factory Sunscreen.

We don’t just sell boards. We surf. We’re in the water year-round. We’ve seen firsthand what long-term sun exposure can do. We’ve also seen what harsh, chemical-filled sunscreens can do—to our bodies, to the reef, and even to our gear. That’s why we’ve made the switch to Rad Wax Factory sunscreen, and it’s why we’re recommending it to every surfer we know.

The Hidden Danger of Skipping Sunscreen

Let’s start with the obvious: the sun is no joke. That golden glow that warms our backs in the lineup also emits ultraviolet (UV) rays that damage skin cells, accelerate aging, and, in worst-case scenarios, lead to skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., and surfers are especially at risk. Why? Because we’re out there longer, with more skin exposed, and often forget to reapply.

Many of us grew up chasing endless summers without thinking twice about sunscreen. But if you’ve ever had a sketchy mole removed or seen a friend go through melanoma treatment, you know how real this danger is.

Wearing sunscreen is non-negotiable. But what kind of sunscreen you wear is just as important.

The Problem with Most Sunscreens

Walk into any grocery store and you’ll see shelves of big-brand sunscreens with words like “sport,” “reef-safe,” “water-resistant,” or “natural” stamped on the front. Flip the bottle over, and it’s a different story.

Most commercial sunscreens are loaded with toxic chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate, and avobenzone. These compounds don’t just sit on your skin—they absorb into your bloodstream. Multiple studies have raised serious health concerns about these ingredients, linking them to hormone disruption, allergic reactions, and environmental damage. In fact, Hawaii and parts of Mexico have banned certain sunscreens because they’re so harmful to coral reefs.

And if you’ve ever had sunscreen drip into your eyes mid-surf session, you know the burn is real—and it can be blinding.

Here’s the bottom line: not all sunscreens are created equal. And not all “water-resistant” sunscreens actually stay on when you’re duck-diving for an hour and a half.

Why We Use—and Recommend—Rad Wax Factory Sunscreen

What drew us to Rad Wax Factory wasn’t a slick marketing campaign. It was a local surfer handing us a tin and saying, “You’ve gotta try this stuff. It actually works.” And after our first session using it, we were hooked.

1. It Stays On—For Real

Rad Wax uses beeswax as a base ingredient. That’s right—natural, sustainable beeswax. It creates a barrier on your skin that doesn’t melt, drip, or run, even in heavy surf. You can paddle, duck dive, and wipe out without worrying about reapplying every 30 minutes.

Unlike other sunscreens that dissolve or slide off when wet, Rad Wax grips your skin like wax grips your board—solid and reliable.

2. It’s All Natural and Non-Toxic

Rad Wax Factory sunscreen is made from just a handful of ingredients—zinc oxide, beeswax, coconut oil, and essential oils. That’s it.

No fillers. No preservatives. No harsh chemicals. Just ingredients you can pronounce and trust.

Zinc oxide is a physical blocker that sits on top of the skin and reflects UV rays. It’s not absorbed into your bloodstream like chemical sunscreens. And because it’s non-nano, it’s reef-safe and environmentally responsible.

3. No Eye Burn, No Skin Reactions

One of the unexpected perks of using Rad Wax is how gentle it is on your face and eyes. The number of times we’ve had to cut sessions short because our eyes were stinging from sunscreen? Too many to count. With Rad Wax, you can wipe your brow mid-set without tearing up.

Plus, if you’ve got sensitive skin (like many of us do), the all-natural formula is soothing instead of irritating. No breakouts. No rashes. Just clean coverage.

4. It Smells Like a Good Day

It might sound silly, but smell matters. You’re putting this stuff on your face every day. Rad Wax smells like coconut and a hint of essential oils—subtle, beachy, and natural. No fake fragrances or chemical funk.

The Beeswax Difference

Let’s talk about beeswax. This isn’t just a gimmick. Beeswax is naturally water-resistant, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic. It forms a breathable, protective layer on the skin while locking in moisture.

And because beeswax is a byproduct of beekeeping, it’s a sustainable and eco-friendly ingredient—especially when sourced responsibly (which Rad Wax Factory does). Supporting a beeswax-based product also supports the important work of bees in our ecosystem, which, let’s be honest, we could all do a little more of.

Supporting Local, Supporting Surf

Rad Wax Factory isn’t some faceless mega-brand. It’s a grassroots company born in the surf community. The people who make this stuff are surfers. They care about your health, your sessions, and the ocean we all share.

When you buy Rad Wax, you’re supporting a movement—one that values sustainability, clean ingredients, and functional products that actually work. You're not just protecting your skin; you’re protecting your playground.

Our Personal Experience

We’ve tested Rad Wax on long summer days in San Diego, on surf trips up the coast, and even in winter when the sun’s deceptive strength can still burn. Every time, it’s delivered. We don’t say this lightly: it’s the best sunscreen we’ve ever used.

Our team has used it on 5-hour surf days, on hikes, and even while working beach events. We’ve given it to friends, groms, and old-school watermen—and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Along with the sunscreen, we also love Rad Wax lip balm (another surfer's essential).

Final Thoughts: Protect What You Love

At the end of the day, your skin is part of your surf lifestyle. Protecting it allows you to surf longer, play longer, and live healthier. But protection shouldn't come at the cost of your health—or the ocean’s.

That’s why we back Rad Wax Factory Sunscreen.

It's tough enough for serious surfers. It's clean enough for your kids. And it's built by people who care about the same things we do: time in the water, time in the sun, and the natural world we enjoy it in.

So next time you grab your board and head to the beach, take a moment to check what’s in your sunscreen. Better yet, grab a tin of Rad Wax and see the difference for yourself.

We are proud to carry Rad Wax Factory Sunscreen in our shop online and in person. Come on by the shop to pick up a stick, or visit online by clicking here.