In the game of hockey, one of the most important positions on the field is that of a defender. The role of a defender in field hockey is to protect the team's goal post and not allow the opposition to score goals at a canter. The defender fights tooth and nail and ensures the goal post is protected. Just like the defender on the hockey field, there is another defender in the kit bag of every field hockey player. Any idea who that is? The answer is simple: It is none other than our very own sunscreen.

Like the defender on the hockey field, sunscreen defends the players' skin against the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

It is paramount for every player to get protection from these dangerous UV rays since they can cause severe skin problems like rashes, itchiness, burning, tanning, ageing, and sometimes even skin cancer. Excessive exposure to the hot sun can have detrimental effects on your skin.

Considering the adverse impact of UV rays on our skin, applying sunscreen before stepping onto the hockey turf is crucial. While tons of sunscreen are available in the market, choosing the best that meets all your requirements is the key.

Here are a few things that you must keep in mind while using sunscreen:

Having zinc in the sunscreen

A zinc sunscreen is typically made from natural ingredients like zinc oxide (ZnO), a combination of zinc and oxygen. Zinc oxide's ability to block UV-A and UV-B rays makes it one of the most effective sun protection products for preventing sun damage. Such sunscreens are also known as broad-spectrum protection sunscreens. Some zinc sunscreens contain aloe vera, which enhances the sunscreen's natural qualities and adds a lovely fragrance to the otherwise mundane zinc sunscreen.
Read our article on- Is Zinc Sunscreen Better? Mineral Vs. Chemical Sunscreens

Sun Protection Factor (SPF)

You must check the SPF factor. Sunscreens are available in different SPFs like SPF 30, SPF 50, etc. The SPF of sunscreen determines the percentage of protection offered by the sunscreen. For instance, sunscreens with SPF 50 protect against 98% of the harmful UV rays emitted by the sun, while sunscreens with SPF 30 offer protection against 97%.

Read our article on How To Choose The Best Sunscreen For Athletes?

Sweat-resistant

Sweat-resistant sunscreens are popular among athletes. Since while playing, the players tend to sweat profusely, sunscreen, if not sweat-resistant, can get washed away.

Apply sunscreen to all the exposed parts of the body

It is pivotal to apply sunscreen to all the exposed parts of your body, namely, arms, face, legs, etc. While wearing sunscreen, one of the parts that often tends to get ignored is our lips. Lips are just as susceptible to the sun's radiation as the rest of your body, which means they are vulnerable to skin cancer. Using lip sunscreen and not just regular sunscreen is necessary. Lip sunscreen filters out harmful UVB rays and gives you protection against sunburn.
Read our article on- Skincare For Field Hockey Goalkeepers: Protecting The Face And Body.

Share this blog with your hockey friends, discuss and comment below thier skin related issues and let us know.