In the sprawling world of skincare, lip balms with SPF tend to sit in the shadows—tucked behind towering tubes of facial sunscreen and serums promising eternal youth. But here’s the quiet truth: your lips are some of the most vulnerable real estate on your face.
Unlike the rest of your skin, lips don’t contain melanin, can’t tan, and have zero natural sun protection. “Lips have no ability to produce a protective suntan, unlike other skin areas, so they’re prone to burning,” New York dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross tells Vogue. “Oily balms and glosses can actually attract more sun, increasing UV damage.” Over time, the damage can be deep—discolouration, fine lines, loss of volume and, in more serious cases, even skin cancers. “Skin cancers on the lower lip are particularly dangerous because they can spread internally into the chest via the lymphatics vessels,” Dr Gross warns.
So yes, lip balms with SPF should be essential, not optional. And the best ones go beyond the basics. Today’s formulas are multitaskers: hydrating, repairing, subtly tinting, and sometimes even brightening, all while shielding that delicate skin from the sun’s merciless rays.
Ahead, 11 lip balms with SPF that deliver on both protection and finesse–because sun protection should look as good as it feels.
Hyphen Mango Lip Balm SPF 50 PA++++
A mango-scented balm that does more than smell like a tropical cocktail. With SPF 50 PA++++ and kojic acid, this one works hard to fade discolouration, lighten dark lips, and hydrate with a vitamin-rich formula.
Minimalist SPF 30 Lip Balm
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Stripped down but effective, this ceramide and hyaluronic acid-infused balm hydrates from within while protecting with SPF 30. Think barrier repair meets daily sun protection. Sleek, scent-free, and made for minimalists who don’t skip SPF.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm SPF 20
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This cult-favorite balm is a hydration powerhouse. This deeply nourishing balm wraps lips in long-lasting moisture while SPF 20 keeps UV rays at bay. Rich, velvety, and endlessly dependable—it’s the one your lips will keep asking for.
Bobbi Brown Lip Balm SPF 15
Luxury in a little silver tin. Formulated with avocado, olive, and wheat germ oils, this balm softens and soothes while SPF 15 quietly does its job. For lips that look like you drink three litres of water and summer somewhere on the Amalfi Coast.
The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care SPF 15
This balm is packed with antioxidant-rich Vitamin E, delivering a powerful dose of hydration and sun protection. It melts into your lips, leaving them soft, smooth, and comfortably shielded from the elements with a light, non-greasy finish. In short, it’s the entire lipcare routine in one handy stick.
Coola Liplux Sunscreen Original SPF 30
With 70% certified organic ingredients, this lip balm hydrates and protects your lips with Cupuaçu Butter, Raspberry Seed Oil, and Jojoba Seed Oil. Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it the perfect poolside companion.
Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 25
This buttery balm is a true treat for your lips, offering intense hydration with a luxurious, melt-in texture. Infused with coconut oil and lemon butter, it glides on effortlessly, leaving your lips soft, smooth, and protected with SPF 25—your ultimate sun-safe indulgence.
Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm
Add a pop of natural color while keeping your lips nourished with Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm. It delivers a subtle, fruity hue and hydration boost with the goodness of beeswax and fruit oils, while SPF 15 ensures your lips stay protected from the sun’s harsh rays.
Paula’s Choice Lipscreen SPF 50
When it comes to sun protection, Paula’s Choice doesn’t hold back. This high-performance SPF 50 lip screen glides on smoothly, offering powerful UVA/UVB protection without the greasy feel.
Bodywise Pigmentation Repair Lip Balm with SPF 30
Targeting dark spots and uneven tone? This pigmentation repair balm is all about multitasking. It exfoliates, lightens, moisturises and protects your lips with every glide, leaving them soft, smooth, and beautifully even-toned.
82°E Pomegranate Sheen SPF 15 PA++ Illuminating Lip Oil
Packed with the antioxidant power of pomegranate extract and the nourishing goodness of ceramides, this illuminating lip oil is your go-to for a luscious, dewy glow–perfect for a radiant, kissable pout that shines with health and sun protection.
Also read:
10 peptide lip balms that do more than just hydrate
The best lip balms to soothe chapped, dry lips, according to experts
The best lip oils to hydrate, tint and shine