12 Best Lip Balms With SPF in 2024, Approved by Dermatologists

I’m a self-crowned sunscreen queen, but I haven’t always been so committed to applying it—especially on my lips. My mom didn’t exactly show me the best lip balms with SPF when I was growing up, and like a true elder millennial, I may have baked in a tanning bed a handful of times in high school in pursuit of that early-2000s Britney glow (what a time).

Thankfully, rule follower that I am, it only took reading one magazine article when I was 18 to convince me that slathering on sunscreen all day, every day is essential for skin cancer protection and, more importantly at the time, a smooth and bright complexion. But it wasn’t until my mid-twenties that I realized (via another beauty article) that I was missing a very important spot on my face: my lips.

“People tend to completely forget their lips when it comes to sunscreen and, actually, the lips are probably even more susceptible to damage because they have less melanin [pigment] to protect them from sun exposure,” Susan Massick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells SELF. “So you want to make sure you’re being more diligent about applying and reapplying on your lips because they’re more sensitive to UV rays and at a higher risk when it comes to skin cancers and sunburns.”

No need to purchase a separate product if you don’t want to: Dr. Massick says swiping on regular sunscreen will work just fine. Ideally, it should have an SPF rating of at least 30, and you should always look for “broad-spectrum” on the label, so you know you’re protected against both UVA and UVB rays. If you want to add a little color, she notes that you can apply a tinted balm or lipstick over top or (if the formulas don’t mix well or you just want an all-in-one solution) try a pigmented lip balm with SPF.

That said, lip skin is particularly delicate since it has a much thinner outer layer compared to the rest of your body, and it also doesn’t contain oil glands, making it especially prone to dehydration, Dr. Massick says. For those reasons, she suggests giving your mouth some extra TLC by looking for sunscreens that contain “hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, which are really helpful to help moisturize and protect the lips.”

• Best Overall: Aquaphor Lip Repair Lip Balm
• Best Oil: Naked Sundays SPF 50 Glow + Go Lip Oil
• Best Chemical: M-61 Hydraboost Lip Treatment
• Best Sport: Coola Classic Liplux Organic Balm Sunscreen
• Best for Dry Lips: Supergoop Play Lip Balm
• Best Tinted: Supergoop! Lipshade 100% Mineral SPF 30 Hydrating Lipstick
• Best Gloss: Cocokind Lip Shield
• Best Mineral: Tizo Tinted Lip Protection
• Best for Sensitive Skin: EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad-Spectrum
• Best Flavored: Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Lip Balm
• Best Splurge: Colorescience SunForgettable Total Protection Color Balm
• Best Hydrating: MDSolarSciences Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm

• What should you look for in a lip balm with SPF?
• Shop the best lip balms with SPF
• How much sunscreen do you need on your lips?
• Should you use a chemical or mineral sunscreen on your lips?
• How often should you reapply lip sunscreen?

As a wellness editor and sunscreen worshiper, I’ve tried a bunch of SPF lip products and only a handful get my kiss of approval. Below, you’ll find those go-tos, along with a few more dermatologist-approved picks that’ll keep your lips safe (and moisturized) in the sun.

• Pros: Affordable, accessible, long-lasting
• Cons: Next to none—practically perfect

This tube is my all-time favorite since I never go anywhere without my regular Aquaphor lip balm (it seems to be the only thing that keeps my perpetually dry lips flake-free). This version also offers sun protection and is made with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, and glycerin—a winning trio for chapped lips. Plus it’s not sticky or too shiny. The formula is also fragrance-free and gentle overall, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Even better? It’s only $5 and you can find it at most drugstores.

SPF rating: 30 | Type: Chemical

• Pros: High SPF rating, comes in multiple colors
• Cons: Flimsy applicator wand

The Glow + Go Lip oil from Naked Sundays is thick and glossy, but not at all sticky. I also appreciate the SPF 50 rating and the choice of four shades—including a clear “coconut” version, if a tint isn’t your thing. All of the options are lightly scented, flavored, and have vitamin C, an antioxidant that can help minimize damage from sun exposure. Oh, and the tube is cute.

SPF rating: 50 | Type: Chemical

• Pros: Lightweight but still hydrating, high SPF rating
• Cons: Mint scent and tingling sensation might irritate sensitive skin

If you’re looking for a traditional lip balm with SPF, I highly recommend this one from M-61 since it’s super creamy and moisturizing (thanks in part to shea butter and jojoba oil). It also contains anti-inflammatory aloe—famous for its ability to soothe sun-exposed skin—and peptides, which can help make fine lines look smoother over time.

SPF rating: 45 | Type: Chemical

• Pros: Water-resistant, thin consistency
• Cons: Might not be moisturizing enough for extra-dry lips

Speaking of solid sticks, this lightweight formula (which also comes in a tinted version) leaves my lips feeling soft and comfortable. I don’t reach for it as much during winter, since I need a little more hydration in the colder, drier months, but it’s great for sweaty outdoor workouts and long pool and beach days—especially since it’s water-resistant and made with calming aloe.

SPF rating: 30 | Type: Chemical

• Pros: Long-lasting; light, pleasant scent
• Cons: Flavor doesn’t totally mask the chemical taste

This “liquid balm’s” texture is the star of the show: It’s nice and thick, never goopy or sticky, and it stays put. Its formula uses shea butter to lock in moisture, comes in two flavors—mint (my personal favorite!) and acai—and has a subtle, pleasant scent.

SPF rating: 30 | Type: Chemical

• Pros: Concentrated, buildable color; comes in multiple shades
• Cons: Might be too bold if you’re looking for a subtle tint

Another standout in Supergoop’s SPF lip care line, this stick is my new favorite when I want full color versus just a slight tint. It’s moisturizing and creamy, with a satiny matte finish. Also worth noting: The shades are buildable and it doesn’t wipe off easily. Who says sunscreen has to be strictly utilitarian?

• Pros: Perfect level of gloss and tint, no white cast
• Cons: Wears off fairly easily, tastes like sunscreen

Cocokind’s Lip Shield has a subtle rosy tint that flatters a wide range of skin tones, is glossy without being goopy, and (even though it’s mineral-based) doesn’t turn my lips white. I do notice that it comes off fairly easily, though—especially when I eat or drink—so I tend to wear it only when I know I won’t be in the sun too much or I just apply another SPF lip balm underneath. (Note that it has a sub-30 SPF rating, which is yet another reason you might want to go with another option on this list if you’ll be spending a lot of time outside.)

SPF rating: 24 | Type: Mineral

• Pros: No white cast, water-resistant, doesn’t smell or taste weird, high SPF rating
• Cons: No obvious ones, honestly

Tizo’s gentle formula is 100% mineral-based and fragrance-free. It’s ever so slightly tinted (to prevent a white cast) and just feels light and hydrating on my lips. I’m a runner—who swims when I can in the summer—and the fact that it’s resistant to water (and sweat) makes it another great pick for outdoor exercise.

SPF rating: 45 | Type: Mineral

• Pros: Gentle, fragrance-free
• Cons: Leaves a slight white cast, according to shoppers

“This is one of my all-time favorites!” Lindsay Zubritsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, tells SELF. “It has broad-spectrum SPF 36 protection and it’s water-resistant, an important quality for any SPF lip balm.” Dr. Zubritsky also notes that EltaMD’s UV Lip Balm is relatively transparent, moisturizing, and doesn’t make your lips feel sticky or dry.

SPF rating: 36 | Type: Mineral

• Pros: Affordable, lots of flavors to choose from
• Cons: A little oily

“SunBum SPF lip balms are wonderful options,” Dr. Zubritsky says. “I appreciate that the brand has so many choices.” She specifically recommends the formulas with an SPF 30 rating, like the Original Sunscreen line, which comes in a bunch of flavors. “And for those with more sensitive skin, SunBum also makes a mineral-based, fragrance-free version,” she adds.

SPF rating: 30 | Type: Chemical

• Pros: Comes in six buildable shades, doubles as blush, high SPF rating
• Cons: Pricey

“Colorescience is an exceptional brand when it comes to sun protection—they seemingly never miss!” according to Dr. Zubritsky. She notes that this balm, in particular, gets a gold star for its SPF 50 rating and the fact that it’s so versatile: “It not only works as a buildable lip color, but you can use it on your cheeks too,” she says.

SPF rating: 50 | Type: Mineral

• Pros: Lightweight, clear shade option
• Cons: Balm tends to get stuck in the tube (according to Amazon reviewers)

Dr. Zubritsky says she’s also a big fan of this tube from MDSolarSciences. “It not only protects your lips with an SPF of 30, but it feels so lightweight on the skin and comes in several beautiful shades,” she says. “It’s also packed with moisturizing ingredients like avocado oil and shea butter that give you the softest lips.”

SPF rating: 30 | Type: Chemical

There’s no gold standard recommendation for your lips, specifically. But Dr. Massick says you should aim for about a tablespoon of sunscreen to cover your entire face and neck, and a chocolate chip-sized blob for just your mouth. Pro tip: When you’re using a solid SPF balm, one pass isn’t enough—she recommends three swipes on each lip for good measure.

If we’re strictly talking about UV protection, you can’t go wrong with either one. “Both are equally effective, so the best option is that one you'll actually use,” Dr. Zubritsky says. “It really does come down to personal preference, and there are pros and cons to each.”

If you have sensitive skin or just want to err on the side of gentleness, Dr. Massick recommends mineral-based formulas, which physically block the sun’s rays and are less likely to cause irritation. That said, SPF with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (the main active ingredients in most mineral sunscreen) is more likely to leave a white cast, Dr. Zubritsky notes. Not all formulas have this effect, but it’s something to keep in mind—especially if you have darker skin. It’s also a good reason to consider a mineral SPF lip balm with a tint, which can mask any chalky hue, she adds.

Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, absorb the heat from UV rays and probably won’t create a ghostly look, according to Dr. Zubritsky. But again, if your skin is on the sensitive side—and particularly if you have a history of allergic reactions or eczema—there's a chance that chemical SPF ingredients may aggravate your lips, she notes. (If you’re unsure how you will react to a new product, doing a patch test first is a smart idea.)

Roughly every two hours is the standard recommendation for sunscreen reapplication, Dr. Massick says. But for the lips in particular, it’s better to be on the safe side. “It’s very easy to wipe or lick it off unintentionally,” she says. “Maybe you’re drinking something, or eating, or wiping your lips with a napkin, so you want to make sure you're consistently reapplying every two hours.” Better safe than sunburned.

Related:

• Does Sunscreen Expire? Here’s How to Tell If You Should Toss Yours
• 30 Best UPF Clothing Options That Are Stylish—And Remarkably Protective
• What's the Difference Between a Sunburn and Sun Poisoning?