Should You Use Lip Balm with SPF?

We all want skin that is beautiful and healthy. We take care of the skin on our face and our bodies, but many people forget their lips.

It might not seem like a big deal when you first think about it, but your lips are actually very delicate and the skin on your lips needs protection just as much as the rest of your body.

It may seem like an afterthought, but protecting the skin of your lips is a must. Fortunately, there are products out there that you can use to help protect your lips.

Let’s dive in so you can learn more about your options and ensure that you’re taking care of your health while having perfectly kissable lips. Keep reading or using the links below.

 

Is Lip Balm with SPF Necessary?

One of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your lips is by using a lip balm or other lip product that has SPF in it. To better understand why that is, it may be helpful to take a look at how SPF actually works to combat the effects of the sun.

The sun emits UVA and UVB rays, both are potentially harmful to the human body and to our skin. The UVA and UVB rays penetrate deeply into the skin and cause damage. This can range from sunburn and the uncomfortable symptoms that accompany it and premature aging, to skin cancer.

Skin Cancer Foundation says UV rays are the leading risk factor for lip cancer

SPF blocks a certain percent of the sun’s rays, and depending on the level of SPF the sunscreen or makeup product has, the varying degree of protection it provides. For example, SPF 30 offers protection from 97% of UVB rays. As such, SPF 30 or higher is generally recommended for sun protection.

We know SPF Is essential for our skin, but why is it essential for our lips? The skin of the lips is very thin and very delicate. As such, this skin tends to take on damage more often and more easily than skin on your arm for instance. We are also frequently eating and drinking, which means that the SPF we apply is more likely to rub off than something we might put on our face.

This means that your lips are susceptible to sunburn and damage from the sun. Not only that, but UV radiation is the leading risk factor for lip cancer. Lip cancer is actually quite common, so skin cancer awareness is essential. Lip cancer often requires surgical intervention, which can not only be uncomfortable and expensive, but can leave scarring.

One way to help reduce your risk is using a lip balm with SPF.

How Much SPF Do Lips Need?

Skin cancer does not discriminate. Someone who is healthy, eats great, exercises, and gets enough sleep can get skin cancer just as easily as the next person. A step as simple as putting on a lip balm with sun protection can help you to protect your lips and prevent burns and skin damage that can later lead to skin cancer. But how much SPF do you need for your lips?

For starters, you need to make sure you’re wearing enough to cover the entire surface area of your lips. However, putting it on at the beginning of the day isn’t enough for all-day protection. You also need to be reapplying sunscreen throughout the day. If you’re going to be sweating or in the water, you should reapply your lip balm with SPF every 40 minutes.

What kind of lip balm with SPF should you use? The American Academy of Dermatology Association suggests that daily we need to be wearing at least SPF 30 or higher. It’s also recommended that you use sunscreen with broad-spectrum coverage that is water-resistant.

Lip balm SPF should be SPF 30 or higher

Properly using a lip balm that has SPF is not only going to protect the lips from sun, it can also help hydrate your lips and fight signs of aging that are associated with loss of moisture in the lips.

Which SPF Lip Balm Is Best?

When it comes to choosing a lip balm that has built in SPF there are a few things you want to consider. The best lip balm with SPF is going to be one that checks all the main boxes of quality SPF lip care.

  • Moisturizing Ingredients

If you want the best tinted lip balm with SPF, you want to look for one that is going to use heavy oils and very rich ingredients. Ingredients like jojoba oil, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter and vitamin E all work to make a very thick and very moisturizing balm that is going to stay on the lips longer and help to protect your lips longer.

Colorescience Total Protection Balm has a number of ingredients that are going to protect the lips while simultaneously nourishing the area, and they come in a range of fun and flattering colors.

Smiling face with lips wearing SPF lip balm

  • Sufficient SPF

Another thing you want to look for is the actual level of SPF. Most lip balms have an SPF of at least 30, which is the minimum recommended amount, but some offer higher protection.

Colorescience’s lip care options contain SPF to protect you and keep your lips looking their best. The Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Color Balm contains SPF 50, which guards against 98% of UVB rays. It’s also available in several sets that contain colors to compliment a variety of skin tones.

 

  • Protective Ingredients

You also want to look at what ingredients are present that actually protect against the sun. Zinc oxide and titanium oxide are key mineral sunscreen ingredients that are going to work to block both UVA and UVB rays and provide you with the best sun protection possible.

  • Colors That Suit Your Skin Tone

Colorescience carries a range of lip balm colors from warm, rosy pinks, to cool pinks. You also find options that are closer to a subtle nude shade and even those that offer a beautiful pop of color to draw attention to that kissable pout.

In addition to things to look for, you also want to avoid ingredients like menthol, camphor and even phenol as they can irritate or dry the skin.

Is There Lip Gloss with SPF Too?

If balm isn’t your style, there are lip glosses that contain SPF as well, like Colorescience’s Lip Shine with SPF 35. This gloss comes in several different shades and contains titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum protection.

With this gloss you can enjoy that high-impact shine while also feeling confident that your lips are protected.

Woman applying SPF lip gloss

Are Lip Balms with SPF Safe?

Just as the sun protection products that we use on our faces and bodies are safe, lip balms with SPF are safe.

  • They provide more protection for the lips with SPF of at least 30
  • They have nourishing ingredients that help to hydrate the lips
  • You can find plenty of chemical-free options
  • You can find tons of great options that are free of irritants
  • They help prevent premature aging and potential damage that can lead to skin cancer
  • New technologies make sun protection safer than ever before


The key to making sure you’re getting the best lip balm with SPF is to look at the ingredients. Colorescience natural lip balms with SPF are free of harsh chemicals, they contain high levels of sun protection, and they are formulated to protect the lips not only from the sun, but from environmental factors as well. They are designed to protect from infrared radiation, blue light, and environmental pollution. Given the current state of the environment, anti-pollution skin care is only becoming more important.

What Other Types of SPF Makeup Can You Use?

There are so many SPF makeup products to choose from but it’s important to ensure that you’re choosing options with SPF that can help protect you throughout the day. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your favorite makeup looks. You can maintain your makeup routine with a few swaps for makeup with SPF.

Colorescience offers a range of mineral makeup products aimed at providing you with sun protection as well as all the qualities you look for in quality makeup.

All of Colorescience’s skin care and makeup products are made using natural, mineral ingredients that prioritize your well-being. From lip balms and glosses that are meant to protect the delicate skin of the lips, to eyeshadow, eyebrow products, foundation and powders and more, you can make sure your makeup collection puts sun protection front and center.

Protect Your Lips & Look Your Best

Now that you have a better understanding of how the sun can affect your lip health, you know it’s essential to prioritize SPF in your lip balm. Luckily, making the change isn’t too hard.

Whether you’re the type to go for a bare-faced look or you prefer to go glam most of the time, Colorescience has lip gloss and lip balm with SPF for every kind of makeup wearer. We make it easy to protect your lips from the harmful impacts of the sun, while also keeping your pout moisturized.

Shop today to find the best tinted lip balm with SPF for you. Colorescience makes it easy with options that look good with every skin tone and makeup look.