4 min readTHE 28-YEAR-OLD MARYLAND native has spent the last several years traversing the globe as one of the faces of American men’s tennis, building a reputation for his electric style of play and magnetic personality. From breakthrough runs at the US Open to deep appearances at events in Australia, Europe, and across the ATP Tour, Frances Tiafoe has become known for his explosive, athletic style of play and big-match energy. However, among all this travel, there is one constant no matter where Tiafoe competes: the sun.
Tennis is a sport intimately connected with sunny days and long hours of exposure to UV rays. As a result, the pros can start baking fast, which is just as bad for their skin as it is for their game. For Tiafoe, this makes one product an absolute must whenever he’s traveling or competing. “Sunscreen for sure, that’s non-negotiable now,” Tiafoe tells Men’s Health.
The son of Sierra Leonean immigrants who grew up training at a Maryland tennis center where his father worked, Tiafoe has also emerged as one of tennis’ most compelling success stories. Now firmly established among the world’s top players, he is chasing the next step in his career: turning his Grand Slam breakthroughs into a major title and helping lead a new era for American men’s tennis.
Despite an intense dedication to improving his game, he never loses sight of the greater risks of rallying in the hot sun for hours on end, nor the physical and mental boost that can be gained from proper self-care. Luckily, he’s found the solution to all of the above in one product: La Roche-Posay sunscreen.
After first partnering with La Roche-Posay in 2023—which is also the official sunscreen of the U.S. Open and Miami Open—Tiafoe has been loyal to the brand. Its sweat-tested, streamlined SPF formulas have become a mainstay in his routine, keeping him protected and prepared no matter how long a match may go. “I keep it simple and bring the same products with me everywhere,” Tiafoe says, “If it’s easy and effective, you’ll do it. If it’s complicated, you won’t.”
He’s a big fan of the Anthelios Sunscreen Spray, appreciating the convenience of the high SPF spray and its minimal mess. Similarly, the Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen is our best overall sunscreen for men—full stop. It’s lightweight, absorbs in seconds, is non-comedogenic and oil-free (so it won’t clog pores or cause acne), is safe for sensitive skin (which Tiafoe admits he has), and is water and sweat-resistant for 80 minutes, which makes it perfect for working out or intense outdoor activities like, say, tennis tournaments.
What initially drew Tiafoe to La Roche-Posay was how genuinely the products fit into his life, and more specifically, his skin type. “I’m outside all day, sweating, traveling nonstop, and my skin goes through it,” he says, “So working with a brand that’s actually built for that, especially for sensitive skin, just made sense.” It’s made his partnership with the brand both authentic and personally fruitful. “Over time, it’s really become a part of my routine, and I’m so lucky to have them in my corner,” he says.
Tiafoe famously appeared in both seasons of Break Point, a Netflix series chronicling the lives of professional tennis players. More than anything, the series captured how emotionally demanding tour life can be week after week. For Tiafoe, the best defense against the chaos of this lifestyle is a steady routine.
“Everything’s always changing, like where you are, who you’re playing, how you’re feeling,” he says. “Having small things that stay the same helps you stay level. Gotta try to control the things you can control.” This starts with a steady sunscreen, and he never travels without it.
The tour can take players from dry heat to humidity to clay dust to hard courts, but no matter where he plays, Tiafoe doesn’t overthink his skincare routine. He washes his face with the Toleriane Milky Cleanser (2026 Men’s Health Grooming Award winner for best cleanser), applies the Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer (aka our best overall moisturizer for sensitive skin), then tops it off with La Roche-Posay SPF. “The basics stay the same,” he says. “Maybe I’ll adjust how often I moisturize or how much sunscreen I’m using, but I like keeping it simple and realistic.”
Men’s grooming and skincare conversations have changed a lot in recent years, especially around athletes. Not only are more pros embracing skincare, some—including many of the GOATS—are going beyond partnering with brands and even starting their own. It’s a shift Tiafoe sees as a positive, not just for skincare but overall health. “It’s not a big deal anymore, it’s part of being a pro and being smart,” he says.
Tiafoe is someone who appreciates and takes self-care seriously, and there is one habit that has yielded the best results for the pro: consistency. “Doing the small things every day,” he says, “Whether it’s workouts, sleep, recovery, skincare, whatever, it adds up over time and gives you confidence long term.” When it comes to his play, he likes to apply that strategy to getting better every day. “I know what level I can play at, so it’s about bringing that more often and putting myself in position to win big matches,” Tiafoe says.
As for what parts of his game specifically he’s been focusing on heading into this upcoming season, it’s a bit of everything. “Always working on my serve and staying aggressive, but the mental side is big for me too, staying locked in, handling tough moments with a clear mind,” he says, “That’s what takes you to the next level.”
Tiafoe’s Skincare Essentials
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Pro-Sport SPF 45 Spray Sunscreen f
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Moisturizing Milky Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir Sunscreen Serum SPF 50
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer SPF 30
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Sean Zucker is the Grooming and Reviews Editor at Men's Health. He brings over half a decade of experience covering health, wellness, and lifestyle. When Sean's not writing about hair products, you can find him running for exercise, or toward the nearest food truck.
