Fashion
The Ultimate Guide to the 20 Best Lips Balms with SPF, According to a Dermatologist
Published
3 years agoon
By
Terry Power
Ah, sunscreen—arguably the most important step of our morning skincare routine.
We all know the importance of SPF to keep burns, wrinkles, and health risks at bay, but are you protecting your lips? After all, the skin on your lips is just as delicate as the skin on your face and susceptible to all the dangers of UV exposure. The solution doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, you’re likely already using lip balm on a regular basis, so why not opt for one that’s infused with sun protection?
Dr. Karan Lal FAAD, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York and New Jersey, explains, “I only recommend physical blockers like zinc because they don’t cause itching of the lips or hives which can be seen with chemical sunscreens in this area. I also look for hyaluronic acid, and/or glycerin because they add extra hydration. My favorites: EltaMD SPF Lip Balm 36, Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm, Coola Mineral Liplux. The one I use personally is the Coola Mineral Liplux peach flavor!”
Dr. Lal’s golden rule? “I look for SPF 30+,” he says. “Nothing less.” While you might think lip balms are hardly the most glamorous products in your lip product lineup, these SPF options that offer a lively wash of color and glossy shine might just change your mind. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the 20 best lip balms with SPF on the market that hydrate just as well as they protect your pout.
UV Lip Balm with SPF 36
EltaMD’s water-resistant, UV lip balm checks all the boxes.—hydrate with Hydromanil while protecting your pout with zinc oxide, a UV reflectant. An SPF-conscious reviewer shares, “This is the highest percentage of zinc oxide I can find in a lip balm that doesn’t look white on my lips. It goes on clear and it’s very moisturizing.”
SPF 30 Sunscreen Lip Balm
Manifest your next beach holiday with Sun Bum’s six summery lip balm flavors. Known for their range of sun protectants, there’s no doubt their lip balm, formulated with aloe, Vitamin E, and SPF 30 protection, is sure to keep your pout looking youthful at a price that’s hard to beat.
Mineral Liplux Organic Tinted Lip Balm SPF 30
Swipe on for some healthy color! Coola’s Liplux SPF 30 features mineral sun protection and mongongo oil for nutrient dense firming. One reviewer enthuses, “It is so smooth, moisturizing, looks good, and smells amazing! I’ve always had a hard time finding an SPF formula that works and provides the moisture I need and this one even has beautiful subtle colors that look natural.”
Lip Protectant Sunscreen SPF 30 Tube
Fragrance and gluten free, Vanicream’s SPF 30 lip sunscreen is the perfect suncare solution for sensitive skin. Keep your lips moisturized while the zinc oxide forms a reflective barrier on your skin, shielding your lips from harmful rays.
Lipscreen SPF 50
Cult-favorite clean skincare brand, Paula’s Choice, is here for all of your hydrating lipscreen needs. This fragrance- and flavor-free mineral lip sunscreen is perfect on it’s own or as a base. One reviewer shares, “As a woman of color, I love that this doesn’t leave a white cast on the lips. Additionally, this balm also works perfectly with other lip products or make up.”
Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 30
Kiehl’s tinted Butterstick made with Coconut Oil and Lemon Butter not only gives you a pop of color, but it deeply hydrates while providing broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection against UVA and UVB rays. “The moisture lasts all day and it’s great to wear alone, or underneath lip gloss and lipstick,” one reviewer advises.
Supergoop! Lipscreen SPF 40
Featuring ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin C, Supergoop’s 100% invisible, non-sticky gloss adds a layer of SPF 40 protection and a hint of shine to your pout or any lip color. A reviewer shares, “A sheer glow with SPF to top my lipstick is perfect. It doesn’t change the color of the lipstick, is smooth not gloppy, it’s perfect in every way!”
Lip Protectant & Sunscreen Ointment SPF 30
Aquaphor needs no introduction—oh how we love our healing ointment, but this version infused with SPF 30 might have stolen our hearts. One reviewer gushes, “I love this stuff because it’s very moisturizing, clear, no white cast, and wears very well over and under lip stick. It looks like a rich, shiny lip gloss.”
Sunforgettable Total Protection Color Balm SPF 50
Colorscience is known for their suncare focused beauty products with unbeatable protection. This colorbalm boasts SPF in addition to the smooth, buildable pigment that comes in three shades. Use it to moisturize your lips, and while you’re at it try it out on your cheeks for a fresh glow!
UV Protective Lip Treatment SPF 30
Ever wondered what the perfect cross between a high-performance sunscreen and a velvety lip pigment would look like? Probably like Clé de Peau’s SPF 30 Protective Lip Treatment. This luxurious tinted balm is made with Asian ginseng extract and Vitamin E to reveal a supple pout and is finished off with a natural rose scent to make you feel extra elegant every time you reapply.
Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm SPF 30
Protect your pout with an elegant wash of color, courtesy of the geniuses at MD Solar Sciences. Created with ingredients like shea butter and avocado oil, this intensely hydrating lip balm offers buildable, long-lasting color.
Protective Lip Oil SPF 32
Brush On Block was founded on the idea of making sun protection easy and convenient, and it doesn’t get much easier (and beautiful!) than this SPF 32 lip oil. Coming in 3 shades and developed with rich emollients like Vitamin E, argan, castor, and sunflower seed oils, this gloss plays double duty as it nourishes and protects.
Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 45
Keep a bit of your childhood in your purse—think the smell of Banana Boat, toiling away at to perfect your sandcastle—with their protecting lip balm. The aloe vera and Vitamin E work to condition your lips while the water and sweat resistant SPF 45 protects.
SPF 30 Lip Repair
Nourish your lips with this elevated tube of lip balm by Context Skin, a truly clean beauty brand. In it, sunflower, extra virgin olive, hemp seed, and vitamin E all work to nourish your skin. And of course, the SPF 30 works to prevent any sun damage.
Liplux Organic Hydrating Lip Oil SPF 30
Channel the early-aughts—think adorable pink hobo bags and flip phones—with Coola’s SPF lip oil. The consistency and finish is the perfect clear gloss to emphasize your lush lips, all while protecting them from any harmful rays.
Sunforgettable Lip Shine SPF 35
Colorscience does it again—this suncare-first beauty brand brings you the perfect tube of lip gloss without compromising on protection. Choose from three shades or opt for a clear coat for a hydrating shine.
Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 30
High-performance botanical skincare line Salt & Stone is here with what seems like the perfect go-to lip balm. Featuring shea butter, sweet almond oil, and bisabolol, this anti-oxidant rich balm is sure to soothe as much as it protects.
SPF 45 Lip Balm
CoTZ has been devoted to mineral sun protection for nearly two decades now so you know your lips will be protected with their SPF 45 lip balm. With an invisible tint to prevent a white film on application and a subtle kiwi-lime flavor, this water resistant stick will keep your lips looking and smelling their best.
Moisture Max SPF 30
Formulated with the coconut oil and anti-oxidant rich Kakadu plum, Australian Gold’s SPF 30 reliably softens our lips and prevents sun damage. A years-long loyal reviewer shares, “I ride motorcycle with an open face helmet and have always had a problem with my lower lip getting sunburned. This is the first chapstick I have ever found that prevents that.”
Sport Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 50
Coppertone’s classic sunscreen comes in a heavy duty lip balm form. Designed especially for active use, this tube of nourishing sun protectant offers water-resistant SPF 50 for up to 80 minutes.
Trang Trinh is ELLE.com’s freelance ecommerce writer.
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