Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
I have a confession: Despite religiously applying SPF on my face since I was a teenager, I rarely think about protecting my lips. It also felt like a hassle—wouldn’t it just wear off every time I drank water or ate something? Recently, I’ve realized the fault in my ways. Yes, it comes off more frequently than my facial sunscreen, but I also have no problem reapplying my lipsticks and lip glosses. Plus, the skin on your lips is just as, if not more, vulnerable to sun damage. “Chronic sun exposure can lead to a precancerous condition called actinic cheilitis. If skin cancers occur on the lips, they tend to be more aggressive,” says Dr. Allyson Brockman-Bitterman, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Millburn, NJ. So, I commenced my search for the best lip balms with SPF.
Thankfully, gone are the days of the strangely textured, awful-tasting lip balms with SPF. These days, many of them have sophisticated formulas infused with nourishing ingredients, like lanolin and shea butter. Plus, there are plenty of protective tinted lip balms if you want some color. All of this makes it easier to wear them every day, as recommended by Dr. Lauren Moy, a double-board-certified dermatologist and surgeon based in Beverly Hills. “Daily is ideal to help prevent photoaging,” she says, but it’s especially important to wear one during “prolonged activities outdoors such as hiking, surfing, and sports.”
Our picks for the best lip balms with SPF in 2024
With the help of our experts, thorough internet sleuthing, and personal trial-and-error, we’ve landed on some winners that you’ll want to reapply. Check out the 10 best lip balms with SPF below.
Pros
Works for all skin tones- Creamy
Cons
- Pricey
Tatcha’s luxurious formulas have a large following, and it’s not hard to see why. This lip tint provides SPF 25 protection and hydration, thanks to silk protein and lanolin. It also comes in three gorgeous shades: a soft berry, a subtle red, and a delicate coral.
Active ingredients: Octisalate, zinc oxide
Size: 0.14 oz.
Tatcha rating: 4.9/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “In Korea, there’s this category of lip products that women consider ‘bare face lips’—in other words, lip products that work even when you don’t have any other makeup on. This new launch from Japanese brand Tatcha is definitely flattering on me whether I’m wearing a full face or not. The shades just brighten up my complexion, and of course, the sun protection is a huge plus.” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer
2
Best with Antioxidants
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25
Pros
- Alcohol-free
- Nourishing
Cons
- Some may dislike scents
Jack Black may be geared toward men, but the formulas are too lovely to resist. One of the brand’s hero products is its lip balm, which contains two kinds of SPF as well as a bevy of skin-softening ingredients. Its antioxidants also help to guard the skin against damage from the free radicals created by UV rays.
Active ingredients: Avobenzone, octinoxate, petrolatum
Size: 0.25 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Jack Black’s lip balm is my favorite one to wear as I’m doing the rest of my makeup. A few swipes moisturize my lips quickly and prep them for whatever matte lipstick I want to apply that morning. But it’s also become my go-to for my chronically dry lips on lazy, lipstick-free days.” —Carol Lee
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3
Best Dermatologist-Approved
EltaMD UV Lip Balm Sunscreen
Pros
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Some may experience a white cast
If you have sensitive skin, a mineral sunscreen like the zinc oxide this lip balm has is your safest bet. The formula stays water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, which means you won’t have to worry about sweat or humidity affecting its efficacy.
Active ingredients: Octinoxate, zinc oxide
Size: 0.28 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “My dermatologist recommended this as I have some precancerous spots on my bottom lip (he says that’s the most common place for skin cancer!). I hate spf in lip balms because it has a horrible taste, but this has no gross aftertaste to it. It does have a bit of a white cast, but nothing too crazy.”
Pros
- Moisturizing
Cons
- Some may find it sticky
Peptide lip treatments are all the rage these days, and this Colorscience lip treatment-gloss hybrid delivers plenty of peptides to plump lips while imparting high shine. Perfect for someone who wants sun protection but can’t give up their gloss.
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
Size: 0.13 fl. oz.
Colorscience rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Colorscience reviewer says: “Love this SPF lip gloss. Super hydrating and the colors are awesome. Love rose and pink! The color definitely lasts long on your lips too!”
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Some may dislike taste
This lip balm with SPF “is super hydrating even though it’s a stick,” says Dr. Brockman-Bitterman. It’s no wonder the formula is bursting with shea butter and vitamins, which is basically an ideal salve for chapped lips.
Active ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
Size: 0.17 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This is the only chapstick I have ever used that doesn’t feel like you need to reapply every five minutes to get it to work. Wish there was more in the tube, but worth it anyway.”
6
Best Drugstore
Neutrogena Revitalizing and Moisturizing Tinted Lip Balm
Pros
- Subtle tint
- Moisturizing
Cons
- Limited color selection
Hidden in the aisles of your favorite drugstore is this lip-protecting superstar. This Neutrogena lip balm tints the lips without being too obvious, and it somehow moisturizes without feeling heavy. This pick is also designed to even texture with continuous use.
Active ingredients: Octinoxate, oxybenzone
Size: o.15 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I used this lip balm many years ago and totally forgot about it until seeing it here. I find I like the darker colors more because they give a little more tint to my lips. And it smooths them out. Really glad I found this again. I now have different ones stashed everywhere.”
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Pricey
Developed by dermatologists, MDSolarSciences’ lip balm with SPF is a quintessential my-lips-but-better product. The shade range includes seven flattering hues, so there’s sure to be one that strikes your fancy.
Active ingredients: Avobenzone, octisalate, homosalate
Size: 0.15 oz.
MDSolarSciences rating: 4.8/5 stars
An MDSolarSciences reviewer says: “My lips are so sensitive to the sun, and this is the first SPF lip product I have tried that doesn’t feel greasy and actually protects my lips from the sun. I got the shade Shimmer, and it looks so natural and pretty. The formula left my lips feeling so soft and hydrated. HIGHLY recommend!”
Pros
- Non-greasy
Cons
- Some reviewers found it drying
This award-winning lip balm's main purpose is to supply broad-spectrum sun protection and does it well. While many complain about the disagreeable taste and slippery texture of some lip balms with SPF, this formula manages to sidestep those pitfalls.
Active ingredients: Octocrylene, octisalate, avobenzone
Size: 0.15 oz.
Paula’s Choice rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Paula’s Choice reviewer says: “So smooth and so creamy, love the sunscreen, stays on my lips for hours! Super shiny like I’m wearing a gloss. Totally in love with it!”
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- Shades work across skin tones
Cons
- Some find applicator difficult to work with
If you enjoy the sweeter things in life, this SPF 30 pick might be the one for you. Inspired by the islands, it smells and tastes like delectable vanilla brown sugar. The newest shade, Nude Ting, is a nude pink you won’t be able to keep off your lips. Be careful, your friends might beg for a swipe or two.
Active ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate
Size: 0.35 oz
Sephora rating: 3.8/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I was a little worried about this product because usually, lip products with SPF give me a film and a bad taste. This lip gloss works like regular lip gloss—which is so relieving. There is a slight taste, but nothing too bad. I’ll definitely be keeping it in my beach bag! (Smells nice, too.)”
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- On the pricier side
You don’t have to sacrifice statement lip colors just because you care about your lip health. This Supergoop! lip balm has plenty of options on the brighter end of the spectrum, like a bold coral and a quintessential fuschia.
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
Size: o.12 oz.
Supergoop! rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Supergoop! reviewer says: “I love the pop of color while knowing I’m protecting my lips. Makes me feel glamorous on the beach.”
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11
Meet the Experts
Dr. Lauren Moy is a double board-certified dermatologist and surgeon based in Beverly Hills.
Dr. Allyson Brockman-Bitterman is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Millburn, NJ.
12
How often should you reapply lip balms with SPF?
“Lip SPF should be part of a daily routine,” says Dr. Brockman-Bitterman. As a rule, Dr. Moy recommends reapplying every one to two hours “because we do so much with our mouths, like lick our lips, talk, eat, and drink.”
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13
Are tinted lip balms with SPF just as effective as non-tinted ones?
According to Dr. Moy, there is no real difference between the two, other than the fact that tinted ones may be a tiny bit harder to remove. “No matter if there is a tint or not, the numbered SPF is the most important factor,” she says.
14
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke with dermatologists about lip balms with SPF and tested a few herself. Lee also searched the internet for top-rated lip balms with SPF, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.
Carol Lee
Associate E-Commerce Writer
Carol Lee is the Associate E-Commerce Writer at ELLE.com, where she covers all things beauty and personal care. Before joining the team, she was an editor at Food Network Magazine and HGTV Magazine and ran the beauty section at The Pioneer Woman. Carol received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from New York University and was one of the first customers to visit Glossier’s flagship store in New York’s Soho neighborhood. Over the years, she’s tested countless makeup, hair, and skin care products, and written hundreds of articles covering the beauty space, from pieces about the trendiest launches to roundups of the best products on the market. As a Korean-American, she grew up in a sea of Korean makeup and skin care products and is a bona fide expert on the ever-expanding world of K-beauty, helping lead our coverage. Additionally, she’s also always on the hunt for the perfect lipstick and watches the same few comfort sitcoms (Frasier, Cheers, Seinfeld, New Girl, etc.) over and over again.
