Applying sunscreen daily is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine; not just to protect yourself during the summer months, but to help prevent signs of premature ageing, such as fine lines. Harmful UV rays are always present even on cloudy days, so it’s essential to shield your face, body, and lips with SPF skincare products.
Here, we’ll discuss the importance of applying SPF for lips, and our top picks that offer the best protection.
Click on the links below to jump to that section:
- Why You Should Apply Sunscreen on Your Lips
- Benefits of a Lip Balm with SPF Protection
- Highly Recommended SPF for Lips
- Frequently Asked Questions
Learn the importance of SPF during your lip care routine.
Discover the key benefits of SPF lip balms.
Our top picks for the best SPF lip balms.
Read common queries on sunscreen and lip care.
Why You Should Apply Sunscreen on Your Lips
You might not think your lips need protection from sun exposure, but they are just as vulnerable as the rest of your body. They are susceptible to sunburns and long-term problems, such as an increased risk of developing skin cancer - especially your lower lip.
With more blood vessels and an increased blood supply, your lips are incredibly sensitive compared to the rest of your skin. This also means that they have less melanin, which is the pigment that protects your skin from sun damage.
If you have had lip treatments, such as fillers or lip blushing procedures, you are at a higher risk of sun damage. High SPF for lips should be applied generously throughout the day, even during winter and on cloudy days.
Nothing’s more annoying than a recurring cold sore, and high UV exposure can trigger these without protection. Those with a history of cold sores, cracked lips, and children should also be particularly careful and always apply SPF (30 or higher) to their lips and reapply often.
For more expert advice, read our guide on choosing the best daily SPF here.
Benefits of a Lip Balm with SPF Protection
It is incredibly beneficial and important to protect your lips from sun exposure and other harmful environmental factors, including the signs of aging. Using SPF for your lips protects them from UV rays, hydrating them and helping reduce the risk of burns and cold sores.
Here are some of the main benefits of SPF lip balms:
- Hydrates the lips: these skincare products help maintain your lips’ softness and smoothness, preventing dryness and cracking and keeping them moisturised. Look for key ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E, which offer deep hydration.
- Easy to reapply: most SPF lip balms are perfect for on-the-go touch-ups, available in compact and hassle-free designs. You can easily reapply your SPF lip balm throughout the day, particularly after eating and drinking, to maintain full coverage.
- Easy to reapply: most SPF lip balms are perfect for on-the-go touch-ups, available in compact and hassle-free designs. You can easily reapply your SPF lip balm throughout the day, particularly after eating and drinking, to maintain full coverage.
- Designed with lips in mind: they differ from regular sunscreens and are developed for the softer and more vulnerable lip skin, which is thinner and more susceptible to UV damage.
- Very high sun protection: many SPF lip balms offer broad spectrum protection with high ratings (30 and above). These are perfect for shielding your lips from UVA and UVB rays, helping prevent sunburn, premature ageing, and reducing the risk of skin cancer.
- Usually formulated for an invisible finish: perfect for everyday wear, the best SPF lip balms are often transparent or lightly tinted, leaving no white cast or greasy remnants.
- Suitable for all seasons: no matter the time of year, your SPF lip balm is your best friend. UV rays are still harmful outside of summer, particularly during winter in snowy or high-altitude climates. A year-round SPF balm is incredibly beneficial for consistent protection of your lips.
Highly Recommended SPF for Lips
When choosing the right SPF lip balm, look at the SPF rating. For broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, look at skincare products with SPF 30 or higher.
To keep your lips as hydrated as possible, make sure to check the ingredients for beneficial and healing properties. We recommend using lip products containing moisturising ingredients such as shea butter, ceramides, and glycerin. Try to avoid products with fragrance, which may irritate sensitive lips, especially when reapplying throughout the day.
Here are our top picks for the best lip balms with SPF:
1. Parasol SPF50+ Lip Balm Stick
Parasol is a popular brand known for their sun protection products containing high SPF ratings and long-lasting features. Their SPF lip balm comes in an easy-to-reapply tube, helping you keep your lips moisturised throughout the day, and protected against both UVA and UVB rays.
The retractable stick format is perfect for clean and precise applications on the go. With a clear and invisible finish, expect a seamless look with no white cast or greasy residue.
Price: £5.28
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2. CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF50 (52ML)
Formulated for normal to dry skin, CeraVe skincare products have many beneficial uses – developed by dermatologists. With a broad spectrum SPF50 sun protection, their AM Facial Moisturising Lotion is perfect for keeping the skin calm, hydrated and balanced.
Although it is not a lip balm, don’t be fooled. CeraVe’s Facial Moisturising Lotion is perfect for applying to the lips, whilst also being used as a facial sunscreen – ideal for a quick reapplication and comprehensive protection. Simply, apply to the face, neck and lips generously in the morning to help strengthen and hydrate the skin barrier, protecting them from harmful UV rays.
Price: £15.43
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3. Honourable Mention: Neutrogena Lipcare SPF20
Dermatologist-tested and designed for instant relief for dry, chapped lips, Neutrogena’s Norwegian Lip Care balm has the added benefit of SPF20 – perfect for on-the-go and casual use.
Price: £3.52
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4. Honourable Mention:Carmex Lip Balm Click Stick SPF15
With hydrating and soothing ingredients, such as cocoa butter and beeswax, the Carmex Click-Stick Lip Balm moisturises chapped and dry lips. The lip balm offers only mild sun protection, with a low SPF15 rating, so it’s suitable for daily use in moderate conditions.
Price: £4.19
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Not found what you’re looking for? At Meaghers, we love all things skincare, and understand the importance of protecting your skin from harmful UVB and UVA rays. We stock the latest and greatest sunscreen products that are designed with sensitive skin types and risky areas in mind – like the lips, moles, and tattoos.
Browse our entire collection of sunscreen products here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put sunscreen on the lips?
Yes, when applying facial sunscreen, you can apply some to your lips. But, for the best results, consider a sunscreen lip balm, which is designed specifically for sensitive skin.
What SPF factor should you apply to your lips?
For the best sun care protection, it’s important to look for lip balm suitable for your skin type with a high SPF rating, such as 30 or 50. SPF50+ is recommended for long periods of strong sun exposure, especially since lips are more susceptible to UV damage.
Read our guide on the best SPF50+ facial sunscreen products here.
Do SPF lip balms work?
Absolutely! SPF lip balms provide strong protection when reapplied regularly, and they contain a high SPF rating. With the right SPF lip product, you can help prevent sunburn, dryness, and long-term damage like premature ageing or skin cancer on the lips.
