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Similar to the face and body, the lips should also be sunscreened. The doctors we interviewed believe that SPF lip balm is a daily necessity and helps protect lips from skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma) as well as signs of aging and dehydration. In particular, the lower lip is "more vulnerable" to UV damage (which can cause skin cancer and aging) because it usually "protrudes more than the upper lip," points out Anthony Rossi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. In addition, “long-term exposure to the sun will destroy the collagen in the lips,” making it look “dry, wrinkled and shrunken,” said Adam Mamlek, another dermatologist certified by the board of directors. To help you simplify your search for SPF lip balm, we asked dermatologists about the best SPF lip balm and got their recommendations and shopping suggestions.
SKIP AHEAD Best SPF Lip Balm
If you are in a pinch, experts say you can apply facial sunscreen on your lips-but this is not ideal. “Facial sunscreens do not have the same consistency and are more challenging to apply on the lips,” said Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Lip products, including those with SPF, use heavier oils or waxes to keep them in place. The doctor we consulted said that they were looking for moisturizing ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, glycerin and shea butter.
For sun protection, the dermatologist we consulted prefers a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. They are also keen on SPF lip balm made with mineral ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Mineral blockers are located on the surface of the skin and physically shield the sun’s UV rays. Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, explained in our mineral sunscreen guide before—they are "natural broad-spectrum", regardless of How about the brand, according to the king. On the other hand, the chemical components-oxybenzone, avobenzone, caprylic acid, octocrelin and high sugar acid-"absorb" the sun's ultraviolet rays like a sponge through chemical reactions, and convert them into heat through chemical reactions , The heat is "released from the skin," Jin said. .
Many doctors we consulted also warned against using lip balm containing cooling ingredients-menthol, camphor or phenol-because they "may be irritating or drying," said Jessie Cheung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Instead, she recommends looking for a combination of moisturizers that "draw moisture to the top of the lips" and emollients that "lock moisture in place and prevent evaporation." Cheung said that common moisturizers are hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while common emollients are shea butter and coconut oil.
Zeichner recommends that, just like face and body sunscreen, you should reapply the SPF lip balm at least every two hours to continue sun protection. He also recommends reapplying a new SPF lip balm after eating or "visibly licking the lips." Rossi added that if you swim or sweat, you also need to reapply more frequently.
We asked the board-certified dermatologists about their preferred SPF lip balm recommendations. Their selection is easy to buy at major stores such as Wal-Mart and Target, as well as readers’ favorite retailers such as Sephora and Amazon.
Four of the five dermatologists we interviewed recommended the use of this mineral SPF lip balm because it does not contain allergens such as fragrances and dyes-therefore, Cheung called it "very suitable for sensitive skin." She also pointed out that the waterproof formula is not sticky. Vanicream claims that this lip balm is odorless and provides SPF 30 sun protection. It has an average rating of 4.4 stars and comes from more than 4,560 reviews on Amazon.
Both Mamlek and the board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, recommend this zinc-based SPF lip balm because it provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection and contains vitamin E that helps "soften and smooth" lips. Sun Bum's SPF lip balm is also made with moisturizing shea butter and calming aloe extract. Garshick calls this a "great choice" for anyone who likes the tropical smell of coconuts. It also offers five other flavors, from lime and mango to watermelon and pomegranate. Sun Bum's lip balm has received more than 11,360 reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.5 stars.
On the other hand, if you don't like the smell, Mamlek would recommend this "colorless and odorless" SPF lip balm, which provides "good protection" and moisturizing effect. According to the brand, it contains vitamin E, shea butter and antioxidants. It is worth noting that Jack Black's Intense Therapy lip balm has an average rating of 4.7 stars out of nearly 13,930 reviews on Amazon.
Malmek recommends EltaMD's zinc-based SPF lip balm because it contains glycerin, which helps moisturize the lips. It is also formulated with a moisturizing mixture of bee and candelilla wax and castor bean and olive oil. The product has an average rating of 4.6 stars from nearly 1,020 reviews.
Garshick described the zinc oxide-based product as "easy to apply" and noted that it "does not leave lips feeling sticky." It also offers SPF 35 coverage and is available in five colors, including rose, champagne and pink. Colorescience Lip Shine received nearly 60 reviews on Dermstore with an average rating of 4.56 stars.
Jasik said that the fragrance of Aquaphor and the SPF lip balm without preservatives are "especially suitable for people with sensitive skin." She pointed out that people with dry or cracked lips will also benefit from this lip balm because it is a blend of moisturizing ingredients, from petroleum and glycerin to castor oil and shea butter. This SPF lip balm costs less than $3 and has an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 7,160 reviews on Amazon.
If you prefer the feel of oil to balm, Garshick recommends Coola because it combines SPF 30 protection with moisturizing camellia oil and jojoba oil, and vitamin E for moisturizing. "It makes the lips look healthy and plump while still being protected," she said. LipLuxe has an average rating of 4.5 stars out of nearly 70 Nordstrom reviews.
Yes, it is possible to apply SPF lip balm at night, but it is not necessary, the dermatologist we consulted said. Like ordinary lip balm, the SPF version provides moisturizing effect and makes lips feel good, while the other versions are colored and may look attractive. Cheung said that in general, the most significant value of SPF lip balm is sun protection and protection from ultraviolet rays, which does not matter at night. According to Mamalek, using SPF lip balm at night will not harm your skin, but he recommends washing it off before going to bed and then applying a moisturizing lip balm.
Nicole Saunders is the former deputy business editor of NBC News Select, covering health and lifestyle.
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