We know that sunscreen helps protect your skin from sun damage. That’s not news. But what about your lips? I’ve personally never really thought to put some form of sun protection on my lips, because, like, why? I assume it would also just come off my lips anytime I absent-mindedly lick them, take a sip of water, or eat literally anything, or make out with my boyfriend.
Although our skin is highly flexible, mostly waterproof, and resilient, it’s still quite fragile. Random paper cuts will remind you of this fact. The lips are even more delicate because lip skin is much thinner than the skin spanning the rest of your body. And lip sensitivity is heightened because our lips don’t naturally produce a type of oil to keep them lubricated, like sebum does for our skin.
Applying SPF to the lips will help limit repeated exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Excessive UV exposure can, in very rare cases (less than 0.1 percent of the United States population), lead to actinic cheilitis. This precancerous condition affects the lips, often causing them to appear patchy, inflamed, and feel sandpapery.
The best way to keep your lips protected all summer long is to slather them with SPF lip balm—and be sure to reapply every two hours. Here are some of our editors’ hand-picked favorites from least to most expensive.
1. Aquaphor Lip Protectant and Sunscreen Ointment SPF 30 ($4.76)
Certain sunny day products can (and probably should) be no-frills, which is why I’m a big fan of Aquaphor Lip Protectant and Sunscreen Ointment SPF 30. This lip balm is a classic for a reason: it has a non-sticky formula that hydrates and heals while protecting. I keep this option on hand to layer over lip color or bare lips throughout the day, and the fact that it’s not at all precious means it comes everywhere, from backpacking trips to the beach. The fact that it’s odorless and tasteless is a big win, too. This balm also gets some bonus points for the fact that it can be used for after-suncare, too, as the vitamin E and shea butter serve to soothe dried-out chapped lips.
—Calin Van Paris, editor, Yoga Journal
2. Burt’s Bees Coco Loco SPF 30 Lip Balm ($4.99)
I recently visited my nearby Wegman’s and bought Burt’s Bees Coco Loco SPF 30 Lip Balm. I went for a 2.3-mile run the next day and swiped it on my lips after applying my body sunscreen. I absolutely loved how it felt going on my lips. It was smooth, creamy, and felt, surprisingly, luxurious. The scent is lovely, too; it smells like a blend of vanilla and coconut. It lasted for the duration of my run, and I didn’t need to reapply. I noticed a slight buttery vanilla taste when I licked my lips post-application, but it disappeared about 30 seconds later. With a $4.99 price point, this will definitely be one of my go-to options. (I also did a water and paper towel test to showcase its staying power. Check it out in the video below.)
—Ayana Underwood, senior health editor, Outside
3. Sun Bum’s Lip 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen Lip Balm ($9.99)
We use a lot of Sun Bum’s products in my household: SPF 50 Face Cream? Check. Original SPF 50 Lotion? Check. And, as a mom of two little ones and a teen, I carry a Kids Sunscreen Stick in my diaper bag at all times. So, as a brand loyalist, obviously, I swear by the Sun Bum Lip 30. It goes on clear, feels hydrating and soothing, and while it features SPF 30, it doesn’t feel cakey or chalky like many sunscreen lip balms do. The best part is its slight coconut smell.
—Abigail Wise, brand director, Outside
4. Coola’s Organic Liplux Classic Sunscreen Lip Balm ($12)
One of my favorite ways to protect my lips is with Coola’s Organic Liplux Classic Sunscreen Lip Balm. It has an SPF of 30 and is water-resistant for up to two hours before it needs to be reapplied. It is completely natural, with cupuacu butter, raspberry, and jojoba seed oil added in for moisture. I found this lip balm because I’m a huge fan of Coola’s Organic Sunless Tan Firming Lotion, my favorite natural self-tanner, by far!
—Emilee Coblentz, packages editor, Outside
5. Primally Pure’s Sun Lip Balm SPF 15 ($14)
Primally Pure has a killer product for summer lip care. The brand’s Sun Lip Balm has an SPF of 15, but also includes an advanced non-nano zinc oxide shield that protects the lips from both UVA and UVB rays. Its ingredient list includes: tallow, beeswax, and mango butter to provide deep moisture. I love Primally Pure, especially this product, which is a must for long days kayaking on the lake.
—Emilee Coblentz, packages editor, Outside
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