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Best Lip Sunscreens

Updated January 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25
Jack Black
Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

For those seeking a serious product that doubles as a sun protection balm.

Pros

Goes on smoothly and doesn’t leave a sticky residue. Long-lasting. Formula is odorless and flavorless. Includes natural ingredients that moisturize and hydrate lips.

Cons

The squeeze-type applicator may cause users to over-apply and waste product.

Best Bang for the Buck
Banana Boat Sunscreen Lip Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Banana Boat
Sunscreen Lip Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 45
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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

Great for sensitive skin and eco-friendly, this low-priced option does just what it needs to.

Pros

Broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Formulated with aloe and Vitamin E. Non-greasy formula.

Cons

Some users complain about the taste of the balm.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Care Stick
Elizabeth Arden
Eight Hour Lip Care Stick
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

This option doubles as a sunscreen, moisturizer, and lip gloss.

Pros

SPF 15. Long-lasting formula that hydrates the lips and leaves a pretty sheen. Can double as a lip gloss or combine with other lip products. Restores dry skin. Herbal scent.

Cons

Users report that this product does not last as long as it says.

SUN BUM SPF30 Sunscreen Lip Balm
SUN BUM
SPF30 Sunscreen Lip Balm
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Best Flavors
Bottom Line

This flavorful option will keep you protected while moisturizing your lips.

Pros

Created with aloe and vitamin E. Hypoallergenic and gluten-free. Cruelty-free and paraben-free. Available in a 3-pack each with different scents.

Cons

Some complaints about the product being oily and causing rashes/swelled lips.

Vanicream Lip Protectant Sunscreen Spf 30
Vanicream
Lip Protectant Sunscreen Spf 30
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A simple, unscented model that is great for sensitive skin.

Pros

Non-irritating. Stays on even in the water. Moisturizing helps with discoloration and dark spots. Putting it on before bed can help heal dry, chapped lips.

Cons

This is a cream, not a balm, so it has a heavy white texture.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

35
Models
Considered
97
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for best lip sunscreens

Though everyone knows how the sun can damage the skin, many people aren’t aware of the harmful effects the sun’s rays can have on the lips. Skin cancer can develop anywhere on the body, including the lips. In addition, lips frequently exposed to the sun are more likely to display premature signs of aging. Those who wear lip gloss further increase their risk of sun damage. Glossy lip products are reflective, drawing the sun’s rays to the lips.

However, no one wants to put traditional sunscreen on their lips. To protect your pout, apply a lip balm with SPF. Lip sunscreens also protect your lips from the elements. If it’s freezing cold or the wind is whipping around, a layer of lip sunscreen will provide protection from the drying effects of harsh weather.

Our buying guide has everything you need to consider when shopping for lip sunscreens. When you’re ready to buy, you’ll find our five favorite lip sunscreens in the matrix above.

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It’s best to reapply lip sunscreen frequently even if the manufacturer claims that the formula is long-lasting. It’s especially important to reapply if you’ve been swimming, sweating, or drinking liquids.

Key considerations

SPF rating

The SPF rating on lip sunscreens tells you how well the product blocks UV rays:

  • SPF 15 blocks up to 93% of UV rays
  • SPF 30 blocks up to 97% of UV rays
  • SPF 50 blocks up to 98% of UV rays

Opting for a lip sunscreen with an SPF higher than 50 isn’t really worth the extra cost since no sunscreen blocks 100% of the sun’s harmful radiation.

"Apply sunscreen to your lips and face in the winter, too, especially if you’re heading outside in the snow, which reflects the sun’s rays. Your skin can burn even if it’s below zero."
STAFF
BestReviews

UVA/UVB protection

For full protection from the sun, choose a lip sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection. This means that the lip sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are what cause sunburn, and frequent exposure to this type of radiation puts people at high risk for skin cancers like melanoma. UVA rays contribute to the signs of aging, such as wrinkles and age spots, and these rays can penetrate glass, including car windows. Exposure to UVA rays is also potentially cancer-causing. The best lip sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

Features

Ingredients

Your lips are an incredibly sensitive part of your body. A lip sunscreen will protect your lips not only from the sun but also from becoming chapped and dry. Plenty of lip sunscreens contain moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil to help soothe the skin in addition to protecting it from UV rays.

Formula

Some lip sunscreens have a thick white consistency, which isn’t always ideal for every occasion. Look for lip sunscreens that have a thin, balm-like formula for everyday use. Choose a lip sunscreen formulated for sensitive skin if your lips are particularly sensitive or easily irritated.

Water-resistant

Most lip sunscreens are water-resistant and provide sun protection for about an hour before needing to be reapplied. Because your lips get wet when drinking, a water-resistant formula is preferred.

Tinted balm

For your no-makeup days, a lip sunscreen that adds a hint of color to your lips while providing UV protection is ideal. Many brands offer lip sunscreens in a range of subtle hues.

Scent

If you find that perfumed products irritate your skin, choose a fragrance-free lip sunscreen. Otherwise, there are plenty of scent options available. Coconut, vanilla, and peppermint scents are common.

Lip sunscreen prices

A small tube of lip sunscreen costs significantly less than a bottle of SPF lotion or spray for the body. Expect to pay between $3 and $20 for a lip sunscreen. Most lip sunscreens offer at least SPF 30 protection.

Lip sunscreen prices vary depending on the quality of the ingredients, the SPF rating, and the brand. Buy a multipack of protective balms to save money, and you’ll have several tubes for stashing in your bathroom, gym bag, purse, and beach bag.

Tips

Here are some tips to help keep you safe from the sun’s damaging rays.

  • Even if you choose a lip sunscreen with a high SPF rating, reapply it frequently. A higher SPF doesn’t provide longer-lasting protection compared to a lower SPF; it simply provides more protection.
  • Using any type of sunscreen, including lip sunscreen, is not recommended for infants.
  • Don’t leave your lip sunscreen in the car or anywhere that reaches high temperatures. The high heat may melt the balm and render the active ingredients inert.
  • Are you going out for a run or bike ride? Apply sunscreen, including your lip sunscreen, about 15 minutes before leaving home so that it has time to sink in.
  • Apply SPF products thickly for full protection.
  • Bring your lip sunscreen with you, especially if you plan on being outside for longer than an hour. Reapply every so often to maintain the protective layer.
  • Other sensitive spots that are often missed when applying sunscreen include the ears, eyelids, hairline, and neck.
  • If you run out of lip sunscreen, you can apply regular sunscreen to your lips. That said, traditional sunscreen doesn’t have the same moisturizing benefits as lip sunscreen, and it also may have an unpleasant feel and taste on the lips.
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Minty lip sunscreens offer a refreshing sensation, but those with sensitive or already chapped lips may not enjoy the tingly feeling. Opt for a sensitive formula if your lips are particularly reactive.

FAQ

Q. How often should I reapply my lip sunscreen?
A.
The recommendations for lip sunscreen are the same as for regular sunscreen: reapply about every two hours or more often if you’re swimming or sweating.
 

Q. Can I wear lip sunscreen and lipstick together?
A.
Of course! Apply lip sunscreen over or under lipstick as needed. Lip sunscreen is also an ideal way to moisturize the lips before applying a matte lipstick.
 

Q. Do I need to apply lip sunscreen in the winter?
A.
Yes. The sun can damage your skin every day of the year. If you’re heading out for an all-day excursion in the winter like skiing or snowboarding, we recommend applying sunscreen to your lips in addition to other exposed areas of your body. The sun reflects off of snow, increasing your risk of sun damage.
 

Q. Is there a difference between sunscreen and sunblock?
A.
The ingredients in sunscreen are intended to penetrate the skin and absorb the sun’s rays to prevent them from damaging your skin. Sunblock is not absorbed by the skin and instead acts as a physical barrier to damaging UV rays. Sunblock utilizes ingredients like zinc oxide to physically block the sun’s rays, while sunscreens use chemical ingredients like oxybenzone to absorb UV light.

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