Lip SPF quick picks
Lip balm with SPF: EltaMD UV Lip Balm SPF 36
Lipstick with SPF: Supergoop! Lipshade 100% Mineral Lip Color SPF 30
Lip gloss with SPF: Vacation Chardonnay SPF 30 Lip Oil
We all know how important using sunscreen is year-round, but you may not realize that lip products with SPF are a crucial part of your sun care routine too. Just as the rest of our body and face are exposed to the sun, our lips require the same amount of consideration and protection against harmful UV rays and the like.
The thought of rubbing normal sunscreen across your lips sounds pretty unpleasant, but that’s where lip SPF comes in. These products are designed and formulated to function like any other lip product but with the added benefit of sun protection. They are the perfect addition to your summer beach bag.
Why do you need lip sunscreen?
According to multi-specialty physician Dr. Azza Halim, “lips lack melanin, which is protective from UV. Therefore, using SPF products is important as well to prevent premature lip aging and sunburn.”
Cancer is a real concern in regards to lip protection as well. Dr. Antony Nakhla, board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, says that “lip skin cancer, along with skin cancers on other thin-skinned areas like eyelids and ears are more likely to metastasize. Lip cancers can appear as sores on the lips, which people often misdiagnose as something more common, such as a cold sore. If you have a lip sore or bump that doesn’t heal, see a dermatologist.”
How to apply lip SPF
Like any other SPF, reapplication is the name of the game. You’re only going to ensure consistent sun protection if you are regularly reapplying an SPF product to your lips. Halim suggests opting for one that protects from UVA and UVB rays (broad spectrum), and recommends applying generously and daily “regardless of sun exposure.”
While the typical recommendation for sunscreen reapplication is every two hours, Nakhla points out that lip SPF needs to be applied more frequently. “Because the lips are mucous membranes — and because we tend to lick our lips regularly — it’s important to reapply even more often than every two hours, such as every 45 minutes to an hour.”
Apart from reapplication, Nakhla advises limiting sun exposure altogether “as the firstline protective measure.” He says “this includes taking shade, wearing a broad-brimmed sun hat that shades the entire face including the lips, as well as avoiding direct, prolonged exposure to sunlight on the face.”
How does a lip SPF differ from a normal SPF product?
Other than being formulated as a product characteristically designed for your lips as opposed to one you would apply all over your body, there are a few key distinctions that set apart lip SPFs in particular. Halim notes that lip SPFs “are more hydrating, contain more emollients and are made with ingredients that are safe if ingested as one may do by licking their lips; therefore, they are nontoxic.” Nakhla expands on that and says, “you wouldn’t typically want to put a sunscreen lotion on your lips because the slip and texture is different on lip skin, which is thin and less likely to absorb a thicker product.”
Ahead, find some of their expert lip SPF product recommendations along with some of our faves to stock up on this summer.
Best lip balms with SPF
Ideal for all skin types, Halim recommends this lip balm that has mineral and chemical filters to provide UV protection while preventing chapped lips. The petrolatum-based formula also contains olive oil, glycerin and vitamin E to condition the lips.
Sun Bum makes some of our favorite sunscreen, including this lip balm. The original one is clear and banana flavored, but it has a wide variety of tints and flavors to add some fun into your sun protection.
This is one of the most lightweight lip balms with SPF we’ve tried. It feels silky and smooth on the lips, and it’s unscented, which helps curb the urge to lick the product off.
Another one of Halim’s picks, this tinted lip balm provides SPF 30 protection and contains a mix of butters and oils to keep your lips super moisturized. From a sheer shimmer to a ruby-red tint, it comes in seven buildable colors.
Containing cupua?u butter and raspberry and jojoba seed oils, this hydrating tinted formula is packed with natural ingredients to soften the lips. As for the SPF 30, it’s also water-resistant up to 80 minutes — perfect for looking put together at the beach or pool.
Coola also offers a tinted mineral lip SPF too.
This lip product combines Burt’s Bees classic beeswax balm with mineral sunscreen protection. Including fun flavors like Coco Loco, Beaches & Cream and Tropic Like It’s Hot, it’s the perfect pick for a taste of summer. Plus, they don’t have a weird aftertaste like a lot of lip products with SPF.
Best lipstick with SPF
This product answers the question “can lip SPFs have pigment?” Yes! This is a buildable, colorful option that offers SPF 30 protection. The long-lasting lip color is one of Halim’s recommendations.
Take your lip SPF coverage to the next level. The luxe packaging on this tinted option doesn’t look like a typical lip SPF but offers all the added protection your lips need. The lip tint comes in three creamy shades.
This double-duty product comes in the form a liquid pigment that can be applied to the cheeks or lips. It has a matte finish that gives it a lipstick-like effect while providing SPF 30 protection.
Best lip gloss with SPF
Colorescience is known for merging makeup and sunscreen. Its Lip Shine features hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, plumping peptides and vitamin E to ensure that your lips stay looking as healthy as they’ll feel with this gloss.
This nonsticky lip oil gives the lips a slick, glossy finish. Layer the clear SPF 30 protection over your usual lipstick for a high-shine effect.
This bestselling lip oil comes in a variety of shades and flavors, each delivering sheer, glossy SPF coverage. We recommend layering it over your lip balm of choice since it’s not the most hydrating formula, but it’s great for getting the glossy look and staying protected.
