Presenting: 10 of the best SPF lip balms to protect your pout all year round
As we all know (or I'm hoping so, anyway), SPF should be applied on the reg. And by reg, I mean daily – whether that be face and/or body, depending on UV exposure. But one area that often goes forgotten is the lips. Yes, you do, in fact, need to be applying sunscreen to your lips.
Consulting Dr Grace Hula, lead general practitioner at G&M Healthcare, tells Cosmopolitan UK that the skin on our lips is delicate and sensitive, and unlike the skin on our body, doesn't produce their own natural protective oils. "This means that they can dry out quickly and are more susceptible to damage like cracking, chapping, and sunburn," she says.
Applying a lip balm with your SPF can help protect your lips from the harmful effects of the sun, as well as prevent premature ageing, discolouration and even reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.
However, there are many factors and questions to consider when choosing an SPF for your lips. Such as...
Can we use body SPF on our lips?
The short answer is, not really... unless you want to use your SPF face cream on your pout (and who wants that?).
Dr Hula explains that "lip-specific SPF products are important because the skin on our lips is thinner in comparison to the skin on the rest of our body".
"Not only that, but the lips also don't have melanin as our body does, which helps protect the skin from UV damage, making this area more vulnerable to sunburn, skin damage, and premature ageing."
But if that wasn't enough to convince you (I know, there's more), another reason body SPF products aren't suitable for use on the lips is that "they may contain ingredients that can be harmful if ingested", Dr Hula tells me. Not ideal.
Which factor is best to use?
All SPF factors, including 15, 30 and 50 work to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays, however, their effectiveness can depend on a variety of factors such as application, skin type, activity level and more.
"SPF 30 offers adequate protection for most people but if you have fair skin or are spending extended periods of time in the sun, you may want to consider using a higher SPF factor such as SPF 50. It's also important to reapply lip-specific SPF products every 2-3 hours when you are out in the sun," says Dr Hula.
"An SPF 15 may be sufficient for less-sunny conditions but it is always a good idea to go for a higher value if you can." Essentially, the higher the SPF factor, the better protection provided.
Should you wear lip SPF all year round?
Dr Hula recommends wearing lip SPF all year round, no matter rain or shine. Believe it or not, UV rays can still penetrate through clouds and cause damage to the skin.
So, with all of that in mind, you best get adding an SPF lip balm (or two) to your online shopping basket. Look no further than to the best on the market, below.
Best SPF Lip Balms
Original Everyday Moisturising Lip Balm with SPF 50+
Created by the founder of Dots for Spots (my personal fave pimple patch brand), Raybalm is a new-to-the-scene skincare line championing natural oils and high-quality sun protection.
Their super affordable SPF50 lip balm is perfect for those after no-fuss (yet still nourishing) skincare; it's tint-free and boasts a subtle sweet orange fragrance. Peppermint? She's so last year...
Original SPF30 Sunscreen Lip Balm
Although it might smell like a snack, this lip balm is to be used exclusively on your kissers; apply liberally for a soft, voluptuous and moisturised pout cc. coconut, aloe and vitamin E. However, if the original banana isn't really your jam, seek out one of many other flavours in the brand's lineup – my personal fave is mango.
Plus, at under a fiver, you can't really go wrong!
Of course, not only does this itsy bitsy product keep your lips hydrated, but it protects them, too. And seeing as Sun Bum is one of the biggest market leaders in the SPF category, we, no doubt, trust the bum...
Sheen Screen Hydrating SPF50 Lip Balm
If you've never heard of Ultra Violette, now is the time to get acquainted. And that's because they offer some of thee best SPF formulas in the biz – that are, for the face, body and lips!
The Sheen Screen lip balm embodies the brand's signature skinscreen concept with silky, lightweight SPF that's ~packed~ with skin-loving ingredients. Essentially, this wonder is a skincare-make-up hybrid offering a subtle tint and a lot of sun protection.
SPF30 Lip Balm
Malin + Goetz (or should I say, GOATz... get it?) are any skincare lovers favourite brand. And 'why's that?', you ask. Well, not only does the brand more widely strive to create gentle, high-quality products for even the most sensitive skin types, but this particular SPF 30 balm features a complex of fatty acids and plant protein-based nutrients to nourish and protect your pout.
Eight Hour Nourishing Lip Balm
This wouldn't be a round-up of faves without the cult classic, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream.
This particular formula can be used on the lips and face, with sun-protection factor 20. And in short, its squeezy tube – that features a handy dandy slanted applicator – delivers everything your lips need to look radiant, healthy, and beautiful all day.
I wonder if Prince Harry knew he was adding sun protection to his... wait, nvm.
Tinted SPF30 Balm - Perfect Nude 12.5g
Although not for everyone, if you're after a touch of pigment for your pout (while protecting at the same time, ofc) a tinted SPF balm is where it's at.
Lanolips is the holy grail of Cosmo Beauty for a reason. Think: seriously intense hydration but with a glossy shine and UV protection.
Chapped, damaged lips, who?
Serum Skincare SOS Lip
Lipstick girlies, WYA, for SOS lip is for you.
Not only is the formula deeply nourishing and mattifying, but it also sits discreetly underneath lipsticks and prevents the absorption of the colour pigments from other coloured products used on the lips.
Plus, it's SPF 30. A win-win [win-win-win... etc etc].
£16.00 at counterculturestore.co.uk
The One For Your Lips Lip Balm SPF50
Coming in with the highest factor (read: SPF 50) is Hello Sunday with The One For Your Lips. No, really, that's the name of the lip balm...
Bridging the gap between sun protection and skincare, this formula is packed full of skin-loving ingredients, including hyaluronic acid (aka, the beauty industry's favourite hydrating ingredient), as well as squalane and shea butter for a velvetly soft finish.
And as if all that wasn't reason enough to snap up this skin-shielding salve, it's now fragrance-free for those of us sensitive to scent.
MoistureShine Lip Soother Gloss with SPF 20
As a huge lip balm girl who's also obsessed with gloss, Elena, freelance Beauty Writer is sold on Neutrogena's Moisture Shine. "This feels more like a noughties juicy tube than lip care and is my favourite for reapplication," she boasts convincingly. Me = also now sold.
Classic Liplux SPF30 Original
The texture of Coola's Liplux is weightless and soft, making for great daily wear – as I've said, no matter rain or shine, SPF is a must.
A light scent and moisturising properties are also winning factors of this balm, helping to combat dryness and cracking. Cool-ahhh...
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