Protect Your Lips From the Sun With These 15 SPF-Infused 15 Balms
The best lip balm with SPF that you can find should hydrate and protect at the same time. Between moisturizing, exfoliating, plumping, and polishing, keeping your lips soft, hydrated, and smooth tends to feel like a lot of work. This is because your precious pout is actually one of the most delicate parts of the body. "Lip skin is very thin and lacks oil glands that naturally add lubrication and protection," explains Los Angeles-based dermatologist Jennifer Herrmann, MD. "Because of this, UV rays, wind, and other environmental allergens and irritants can easily penetrate the skin, leading to irritation, dryness, and cracking."
Most of us know that it's important to frequently moisturize our lips, but few of us go so far as to also incorporate UV protection into our lip care routine. "Because lip skin is super delicate, it is important to choose lip products with SPF," says Dr. Herrmann. Like the rest of the body, the lips can easily become sunburned if left unprotected. "Typically, we recommend SPF 30 as a good minimum, but if you anticipate excess intense sun exposure (think: swimming, surfing, or skiing) that number can be bumped up to at least a 50." If none of the balms in your beauty cabinet include SPF, the good news is, there are a bunch of hydrating lip balms that do. Below are a few of our picks for the best lip balms with SPF to get you started in your search.
1. Best Water-Resistant Formula: PACIFICA BEAUTY Pineapple Mineral Lip Balm SPF 15
That beach vacay is all fun and games until your lips get fried on the first day. Keep smiling in those selfies by protecting them with this water-resistant SPF lip balm. Apply this 15 minutes before sun exposure and you'll be protected through swim and sweat for up to 80 minutes (just remember to also reapply after eating!). Sun protection here comes in the form of zinc oxide, which blocks UVA and UVB rays. Meanwhile, coconut oil and shea butter condition the lips.
2. Best Organic Formula: COOLA SUNCARE Classic Liplux Organic Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30
For a little bit more sun protection, bump things up to a balm with SPF 30. In addition to providing broad-spectrum protection, this hydrating lip balm is packed with vitamins and antioxidants. Avocado butter, carnauba wax, and beeswax all moisturize the lips while raspberry butter offers even more nourishment.
3. Best With Petrolatum: PREVENTIVE MEASURES 101 SPF 30 Daytime Lip Balm
This lip balm uses cutting edge moisture-release technology to keep working all day long. The formula includes soothing aloe, emollient shea butter, and calming chamomile, which can help neutralize free radicals. It also includes ceramides, which strengthen the skin's moisture barrier. All of these ingredients are locked into the lips with a layer of 100% refined petrolatum. "Cosmetic-grade petrolatum is a safe and an excellent moisturizer," says Dr. Herrmann. "It sits on top of lip skin and forms an excellent barrier, protecting lips from environmental insults while also sealing moisture in. It’s important, however, to make sure an irritating substance isn’t applied before petrolatum, or it might seal that in as well!"
4. Best With Aloe Vera: CONTEXT Lip Repair SPF 30
This well-rounded formula pairs a high SPF with a base of hydrating sunflower oil, olive oil, and hemp seed oil. Vitamin E offers additional protection against the sun and keeps harmful free radicals out, while aloe vera moisturizes and soothes, and rosemary extract promotes cell renewal and healing.
5. Best Shimmer Formula: JERSEY SHORE COSMETICS Vino Tinted Shimmer Balms SPF 10
If you're looking for a lip product that offers a little bit of sun protection and a little bit of fun, opt for this shimmery lip balm that comes in two different tinted shades: champagne gold and a rosé pink. Wear this balm solo for a sheer tint of color, or apply it over your favorite lip color for added hydration and protection.
6. Best No-Frills Unscented Formula: LATHER Unscented Lip Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 15
There's not much to this unscented balm, and that's actually a good thing. "Typically, less is more when it comes to lip balm," Dr. Herrmann explains. "The lip skin is more sensitive than other skin, so try to avoid fragrances and balms with a long ingredient list. These are more likely to contain a chemical that is an irritant and allergen."
LATHER's refreshingly sparse ingredient list includes sunflower seed oil, organic extra virgin olive oil, and hemp seed oil—all of which are emollient and rich in antioxidants. You’ll also find beeswax, a popular lip care ingredient, in this formula. Beeswax is naturally moisturizing and can help protect the lips from sun damage. If you tend to have sensitive skin, this minimal lip balm is an ideal pick.
7. Best Non-Sticky Formula: BOBBI BROWN Lip Balm SPF 15
If you hate super sticky lip formulas, try this nutrient-rich, non-greasy balm made with wheat germ, avocado, and olive oil. Wheat germ oil, which is high in vitamin B6, fatty acids, and vitamin E, can cleanse the lips, heal cracks, and supports collagen production. Avocado oil, olive oil, and beeswax provide additional moisture while petrolatum locks everything in.
8. Best Coconut-Infused: CORAL SUN Coral Sun SPF 15 Coconut Lip Balm
Applying this all-natural, vegan, and cruelty-free balm 15 minutes before sun exposure will help protect your lips from damaging UVA and UVB rays with mineral-based SPF 15. If you’ll be swimming or sweating, reapply it after 40 minutes to keep the sun protection going strong.
9. Best Tinted Formula: COOLA SUNCARE Mineral Liplux Organic Tinted Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30
Here's another tinted balm option to add both a hint of color and some much-needed sun protection to your pout. In addition to providing water-resistant, broad-spectrum SPF 30 capabilities, this formula uses cupuaçu butter and mongongo oil to hydrate the lips and provide a super creamy application. Mongongo oil is particularly great for conditioning thanks to its high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acid, which prevents moisture from escaping pores.
10. Best Bulk Buy: JUICE BEAUTY SPF 8 Lip Moisturizers
Can't decide which lip tint you want? Why not have them all? This paraben-free lip trio protects against minimal sun exposure by using zinc oxide, and it moisturizes chapped lips with emollient plant oils like sunflower oil and castor seed oil. It also uses super hydrating cocoa butter to further condition the lips. No matter which color you're in the mood for, all come with a delightfully tropical passionfruit and mango essence.
11. Best Buildable Formula: SELFIE Berry Tinted SPF 15 Lip Balm
We love how effortlessly this formula shields your lips from the sun, harsh winds, and excess dryness, but what we love even more is the buildable berry shade. Apply just one swipe for a sheer wash of color, or pack it on to get a rich berry tone that you can wear comfortably throughout the day.
12. Best Eco-Friendly Option: ECO LIPS Protect Lip Balm in Vanilla Lavender
This vanilla-flavored, moisturizing lip balm not only smells great, but it also comes packed with nourishing natural ingredients like aloe vera, beeswax, coconut oil, rosemary leaf extract, and calendula flower extract. Bonus: The product comes packed in the brand's exclusive Plant Pod®, which is 100% plastic free.
13. Best for Maximum Sun Protection: PAULA’S CHOICE Lipscreen SPF 50
For maximum sun protection (we’re talking a long day at the beach, a hike up the mountains, outdoors at a wedding), reach for this SPF 50 formula. This non-greasy option has no lingering after-taste, stays securely on your lips the second you put it on, and also helps restore moisture to rough, dry lips.
14. Best Flavored Formula: THRIVE CAUSEMETICS Sunproof™ Intensive Lip Balm SPF 24
Infused with THRIVE CAUSEMETICS’ signature Hydro Mask Matrix, your lips will be wrapped in a barrier of non-sticky hydration that relieves dryness and prevents moisture loss, plus shields against the sun with broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. This balm is available in two refreshing flavors: fresh mint and sweet tangerine.
15. Best Everyday Go-To: KIEHL’S Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 30
Coconut oil is the star of the show here, as it keeps your lips ultra-hydrated while smoothing and softening them. This one is available in tinted or untinted shades, and it protects against the sun with SPF 30. Just one application will give lips up to 12 hours of soothing hydration.
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