Best Sunscreen for Lips in 2021

After thorough research into the requirements for sunscreen to be effective on the lips, SimplySunSafe recommends Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Color Balm as the best sunscreen for lips. Read on for a detailed buyer’s guide, comparison table, and in-depth reviews of the top 5 sunscreens for lips.

Buyer’s Guide

For a lip balm / lip sunscreen to provide effective protection from the sun, soothe, and moisturize, it must have a number of factors:

Broad spectrum protection

An effective sunscreen protects you from the full spectrum of the sun’s damaging radiation. This means when looking for a sunscreen you should only consider buying those labeled as offering ‘broad spectrum’ or ‘UVA/UVB’ protection.

Products without this labeling will stop you from being burned by the sun (UVB radiation), but won’t protect you against UVA radiation. Even though the damage done by UVA radiation (skin aging and cancer) is invisible to the eye in the short term, protection against it is just as (if not more) important.

Protection from UVA will help shield you from its skin-sagging and wrinkling effects, working to prevent the appearance of blemishes and fine lines on and around your lips.

Skin cancer in the lip is incredibly common. Lip skin is thin and delicate when compared to the rest of the face, which makes protecting it even more important. My dad had to have his bottom lip removed because of melanoma and, to put it simply, that surgery is something you should work very hard to avoid.

Make sure your your lips are safe from dangerous UVA radiation by choosing one of the lip balms recommended below – they all offer excellent broad spectrum protection.

Best SPF for Lips

SPF is a confusing measure of sunscreen effectiveness. Most people’s knowledge of the rating system stops at knowing that a higher number means better protection, but what does SPF actually mean?

SPF multiplies how much sun you can be exposed to without burning. So if you take 1 minute to burn without any sunscreen, wearing an SPF 15 sunscreen will result in you burning after 15 minutes. If If you take 10 minutes to burn, the same sunscreen will protect you for 150 minutes.

These numbers don’t tell you much and this doesn’t mean that an SPF 50 sunscreen will protect someone with naturally sun-resistant skin for hours on end. SPF doesn’t change how long a sunscreen will last on your skin (usually a maximum of two hours but water and sweat can reduce this time). You still need to reapply frequently even though the SPF calculation above might suggest you won’t burn for hours. You should also still use shade and sun-protective clothing to hide your skin from the sun whenever you can.

There are other problems with the most common method of rating sunscreens:

• SPF only refers to UVB radiation and doesn’t indicate a sunscreen’s ability to block UVA radiation. You’ll need to check the active ingredients to ensure you’re getting decent UVA protection (see below for details).
• SPF ratings are also arbitrary as they work based on your skin’s natural photosensitivity, the intensity of sunlight you’re exposed to, and the thickness of application. This makes it almost impossible to predict how long you’ll be protected for.
• The way sunscreens are marketed makes people think SPF 15 offers half the protection as SPF 30 – which isn’t true.

To fix these SPF issues, let’s take a look at SPF from a different angle – the amount of UVB radiation each SPF rating actually blocks.

SPF Rating	UVB Protection
None	0%
2	50%
15	93%
30	97%
50	98%
100	99%

This makes things a lot clearer. From these numbers you can see that the gains from SPF 30 up are negligible. This is why the FDA introduced a SPF 50+ cap on rating a couple of years ago.

So what SPF rating should you be using? Dermatologists suggest that an SPF as low as 15 is suitable for everyday use when your lips will be exposed for limited periods. When you’ll be out in the sun for hours at a time, experts recommend SPF 30 or higher and it’s hard to argue with them. This provides fantastic protection (97%) and anything above this doesn’t get you much more. So choose an SPF 15 sunscreen or more depending on what you’ll be using it for and you’ll have no problem keeping your lips out of trouble.

Physical preferred to chemical

Sunscreens work in two ways and are classified as either physical or chemical based on this. Physical sunscreens work by acting like a mirror to reflect harmful radiation. Chemical sunscreens absorb into the skin and stop harmful radiation reaching the skin by absorbing it.

Physical sunscreens are preferred as they have been shown to stop more of the dangerous UV spectrum and stop a higher percentage of radiation reaching the skin. Other benefits of physical sunscreens include their less toxic ingredients (less likely to irritate), working without delay, and having a longer shelf life.

Chemical sunscreens also have their downsides. The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens are often classified as endocrine disruptors (can disrupt hormones in the body). The worst of these, oxybenzone, should be avoided altogether.

Chemical sunscreens do have the cosmetic advantage of absorbing into the skin. This makes them less likely to leave a white cast, discolor makeup, or be obvious on the lips. This is why one chemical lip sunscreen has been included at the end of this list. Choose it if you want these features but pay attention to the ingredients so you know what you’re putting on your body.

Suitable for daily use (including with makeup)

As with any sunscreen, you want it to be gentle enough so you can use it everyday. The lip sunscreens featured have the EWG seal of approval, so the ingredients are safe on the body and gentle enough for even sensitive skin.

Having only non-toxic ingredients is particularly important as you’ll be applying really close to your mouth. Just in case you swallow some of the lip balm, the 5 products below are completely safe.

For the cosmetically inclined, you’ll be happy to know that number 1 and 5 are also great to use as a base for lipstick. They should not interfere with the appearance or coloring of products applied over the top. Your pout will be protected and pretty!

If you’re concerned more generally about how your cosmetics will mix with your sunscreen, check out the SimplySunSafe breakdown of the best sunscreen for makeup.

Must moisturize

Chapped lips aren’t just a winter problem as burning can cause the lips to dry out and blister. Plus, constantly chapped lips are an indication of precancer. So to fully protect your lips, make sure the lip sunscreen you pick up is going to hydrate and nourish your lips to prevent damage.

What about lip gloss?

Lip glosses simply don’t do enough when it comes to sun protection. In fact, the gloss they provide can amplify the sun’s light, increasing the damage done to your lips.

Make sure you’re protected all year round by choosing one of the lip balms below. You’ll get great sun protection, won’t get chapped lips, and know the sunscreen’s ingredients will be working to protect you without causing any unexpected side effects.

Best Sunscreen for Lips Comparison

 

5 Best Sunscreens for Lips

 

After thorough research that combined discussing issues with customers, reviewing customer feedback, examining manufacturer specifications, and participating in skincare forums, SimplySunSafe has chosen the 5 best sunscreens for lips. All of these sunscreens provide broad spectrum protection, contain effective moisturizers, and are suitable for daily use.

1. Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Color Balm

Last update on 2021-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This lip balm will protect and hydrate lips & cheeks with a pop of color. The lip balm offers protection against UVA/UVB, pollution, infrared radiation, and blue light.

It’s especially great for people who don’t like the feeling of wearing lipstick or gloss on their mouths because it feels too heavy, but they would still love to have shiny pink pouts! 

The formulation is Water/sweat resistant which means it will last long with the rest of your makeup. 

This product has three buildable shades available, including berry, blush, and bronze. You can choose as per your skin tone and color preference.

The lip balm is hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and sulfate-free. Besides, it is free from oils and dyes.

This gluten-free lip balm is perfect for those looking for a sheer lip balm and minimal look along with sun protection.

2. COOLA Organic Mineral Sunscreen Tinted Lip Balm

Last update on 2021-10-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Get ready to kiss your dry, boring lips goodbye with these tinted mineral SPF 30 lip balms! 

With organic lip-smoothing shades in a variety of hues and an added layer of sun protection for the poutiest pair that you’ve got, this is one purchase that will be worth it.

Coola Mineral Lip lux adds a hint of subtle, rosy color using naturally-derived pigments while protecting and nourishing your lips. 

Ingredients include organic Cupuaçu Butter and Mongongo Oil that deliver an ultra-creamy texture to moisturize lips. 

If you want to give your lips a little color without any harsh chemicals or drying effects, try using this lip balm. The naturally moisturizing ingredients will provide an all-day shine that won’t leave them chapped!

Besides, these lip balms come with natural colors and flavors, so you can taste the smell as you look!

You can Apply the lip balm evenly over your lips as part of your morning routine and reapply every 2 hours while you’re outside.

3. EltaMD UV Lip Balm with SPF Broad-Spectrum SPF 36

Last update on 2021-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

For those of us who love the outdoors but hate how sun exposure can dry out our lips, EltaMD UV Lip Balm sunscreen may be just what we need. 

This potent sun-protecting lip balm is ideal to use for sports, hiking, beach vacations, and outdoor activities.

This lip balm not only protects your skin from harmful rays with SPF 36 and broad-spectrum protection. 

It also moisturizes for long-term relief by combining powerful hydration ingredients like 5% Hydromanil, which is known to provide immediate moisture and lasting hydration over time.

Eltamd’s extra layer of care means you don’t have to worry about chapped or cracked lips while spending days outside in some serious heat! The creamy consistency of this lip balm will keep your lips hydrated. 

The lip balm is water-resistant for up to eighty minutes, and the transparent zinc does not show up on the skin after blending well.

4. TIZO Tinted Lip Protection SPF 45

Last update on 2021-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The TIZO Broad Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen SPF45 Lip Balm is a reliable solution for your sun protection needs. 

This lip balm will protect you from harmful UV rays in the daytime. Moreover, it provides a water-resistant formula that will keep you safe for up to eighty minutes during swimming or water sports activities. 

The Broad Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45 Lip Balm can give you peace of mind knowing that it’s protecting your lips in any circumstances. Besides, the broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen protects against both UVA & UVB light!

With this lip balm, you can keep your lips moist and healthy without worrying about the harmful chemicals found in other products. 

Moreover, it is free from preservatives and fillers that are present in some sunscreen lip balms. The gentle ingredients make it suitable for even sensitive skin types!

5. Cotz Lip SPF 45

Last update on 2021-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

CoTZ offers the best of both worlds when it comes to lip care. It is a must-have for the summer. 

It’s hard to find the perfect sun-protecting lip balm. Either they’re too rich or not moisturizing enough, and then there are those with a thick consistency that feels heavy on your lips. 

This is the one with an invisible tint, so you can wear any shade as long as it compliments your skin tone! Besides, it has a subtle kiwi-lime-ginger flavor that is not too overpowering. 

This moisturizing balm is also a mineral sunblock that will leave your lips soft and smooth while protecting them from harsh UV rays out in the elements! 

The tint prevents any whitening effect on top of even more moisture all day long – perfect for those who need their makeup routine simplified.

The water-resistant formula makes this ultra-lightweight product an outdoor essential too for up to eighty minutes. 

There’s no fear about reapplying for the stipulated time when you are swimming or playing at the beach with friends

Conclusion

This summary of the best sunscreens for lips should help you choose the perfect lip balm for you. I hope it has also shown you the must-have features to look for in a quality lip sunscreen.

SimplySunSafe recommends Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Color Balm as the best lip sunscreen. Having said that, all 5 products featured are of the highest quality, will provide the required protection, and are able to be used with makeup. Keep in mind that only one of these products might suit your skin and that you might have to experiment a little to find the best sunscreen for your lips.

If you know of another great sunscreen for lips, let me know in the comments and I might add it to this guide after looking into it.

FAQs

Q: Why do lips need sun protection?

A: The skin on your lips is just as susceptible to the sun’s radiation as the rest of your body which means it’s vulnerable to cancer. Our lips actually don’t have any melanin in them at all – the darker color comes from blood vessels. This makes them even more sensitive to damage caused by UV-rays! Therefore, you need to protect your lips from sun damage. 

Q: What can sun damage do to your lips?

A: Sun damage may make your lips extremely dry and chapped due to sunburn. Apart from this, your lips may develop scales and become precancerous, especially if the lip surface thins or reddens with sores. 

Q: How can you treat sunburned lips?

A: You may apply cold compresses to soothe the sunburned lips. Keep your lips dry and clean. Apply a layer of hydrating lip balm with cooling agents such as aloe vera to give them some comfort. 

Q: Does your lip balm need SPF?

A: Yes, lip balms should ideally have SPF because they’re applied directly to the lips. SPF is essential in lip balms for sun damage protection. Besides, lip products do not last as long as face products. So, you may need a lip balm with SPF for re-application throughout the day.