Beauty Skin-Care Tips

The 8 Best Derm-Approved Lip Sunscreens To Use All Summer Long

Tehrene Firman

July 29, 2020

Even if you're slathering your face and body with sunscreen all day, every day, there's still one place you're probably forgetting to apply it to. "Your lips may be covered more thanks to face masks, but they still can be exposed to UV rays when you're outside, driving, and even using devices," says Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare.

Dr. Patel recommends adding a lip sunscreen to your daily routine that will offer protection whether you're scrolling through Instagram or spending a few hours reading at the beach. If you're not sure where to start with all the options available, here are the best dermatologist-approved picks to choose from.

Experts In This Article

Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City
Brendan Camp, MD, double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery
Lucy Chen, MD, board-certified dermatologist with Riverchase Dermatology
Purvisha Patel, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare

The 8 best dermatologist-approved lip sunscreens

1. Shop now: Supergoop! PLAY Lip Balm SPF 30, $10

"It's 30 SPF and mineral, goes on smooth, and is hydrating." —Dr. Patel

2. Shop now: COOLA Mineral Liplux Organic Tinted Lip Balm, $18

"This is one of my favorite lip sunscreens. It comes in six shades that leave you with a light, natural tint of color and excellent UV protection. It's a reef-safe and water-resistant mineral block containing both non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. This formulation uses a mix of organic ingredients, including smoothing moisturizers like cupuaçu butter, mongongo oil, Shea butter and coconut oil. You get sun protection, lip hydration and a touch of color all in one." —Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery

3. Shop now: Vanicream Lip Protectant, $6

"The active ingredients in Vanicream’s SPF lip balm are zinc and titanium, which are good for people with sensitive skin and are physical blockers that sit on the surface of the skin, rather than being absorbed, and reflect UV rays." —Brendan Camp, MD, double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery

4. Shop now: Elta MD UV lip balm, $11

"This lip balm has broad spectrum UV coverage (meaning it covers the widest range of UVA and UVB) and contains zinc oxide a physical blocker. It's also moisturizing and soothes and protects sun-exposed lips." —Lucy Chen, MD, board-certified dermatologist of Riverchase Dermatology in Miami

5. Shop now: Sun Bum SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm, $4

"This product uses zinc to offer SPF 30 protection. It's also reef-safe and includes vitamin E, shea butter, and jojoba oil." —Dr. Camp

6. Shop now: Blistex Five Star Lip Protection, $6

"This SPF 30 lip sunscreen has cooling menthol and camphor and can soothe already-exposed lips. It can help with minor cuts on the lips as well." —Dr. Patel

7. Shop now: Aquaphor Lip Protectant and Sunscreen Ointment, $4

"Aquaphor has so many uses, and adding SPF to the formulation adds another to that list." —Dr. Camp

8. Shop now: Kiehl's Butterstick Lip Treatment, $24

"The Butterstick Lip Treatment from Kiehl’s has a pleasant smell (a trademark of Kiehl’s products), offers SPF 30 protection, and comes clear or in a number of tints." —Dr. Camp

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