10 Best Lip Balms With SPF 2024 | UK Dermatologist Reviewed
Finding the right lip balm with SPF can be a challenge, but it's important you know how to buy the best one to keep your lips protected from UV rays. You'll need to consider a few factors to find which is right for you – some people need a vitamin E rich SPF of 50, while an SPF of 20 is a reasonable amount of protection if you're only spending a few minutes outside.
We've created a buying guide to show you exactly what you need and why, making your shopping process a lot easier. After searching through popular sites such as Boots, eBay, and Amazon, we've found ten affordable picks by brands like EOS, Nivea, and Sunsense to give you the best selection of lip balms with SPF to buy in the UK.
Quick List - Top Lip Balms With SPF
Hawaiian Tropic
With Coconut Oil and Cocoa Butter, It Smells Great, Works Even Better
Felipe Partarrieu is a dermatologist, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- With Specialist Consultation From Dermatologist Felipe Partarrieu
- How to Choose a Lip Balm With SPF in the UK
- The Sun Protection Factor Should Be No Less Than 15 to Be Effective1
- Look for Emollients and Moisturising Ingredients for Extra Hydration2
- Water-Resistant Lip Balms Save You from Constantly Reapplying3
- If You Want a Boost of Flavour With Amazing Smell, Prefer Natural Fruity or the Scented Ones4
- Frequently Asked Question
- When Should You Be Wearing Lip Balm With SPF?
With Specialist Consultation From Dermatologist Felipe Partarrieu
Felipe Partarrieu is a final year dermatology resident, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
How to Choose a Lip Balm With SPF in the UK
- Consider how much SPF would you require
- If you want extra hydration, look for emollients and moisturising ingredients
- If you do water activities, know about the specific water-resistant lip balms
- Check for natural ingredients available
The Sun Protection Factor Should Be No Less Than 15 to Be Effective
SPF stands for sun protection factor, which determines how well a product can bounce off UV rays. For example, an SPF of 30 allows just one-thirtieth of UV to reach your skin. In short, the higher the number is, the more protected you are.
For the best results, we'd recommend any SPF above 15, although you can find lip balms with an SPF of up to 50! If you have sensitive skin or you're buying for a child, it's better for you to avoid the low SPFs and aim for the highest possible to avoid blistering when in contact with the sun's strong UV rays.
If you're not in direct sunlight for long periods of time, you could settle for a lower SPF as long as you top up regularly.
A higher sun protection factor (SPF) will provide more protection, but remember that no sunscreen is 100 per cent effective at blocking out UV rays. Most dermatology societies worldwide recommend using a sunscreen that’s 30 SPF or higher, no matter the skin tone, time of the year or latitude.
Look for Emollients and Moisturising Ingredients for Extra Hydration
Humectants Make Your Lips Soft and Plump
While you may not have heard of humectants before, you're likely to be familiar with them from products that you already own.
Humectants help to bring moisture molecules to the surface of your lips and most commonly, they consist of ingredients such as aloe vera, jojoba oil and glycerin. Drawing more moisture to the surface can hydrate your lips, smooth them out, and keep them looking plump.
However, it's important to note that, along with humectants, you must have emollients in the lip balm too. Otherwise, the moisture that has been drawn will evaporate, causing your lips to dry out even more. More on that next!
Humectants are substances, both natural and man-made, that attract moisture when applied to the skin and lips. Glycerin, urea and hyaluronic acid are humectants commonly found in skincare products.
In most cases, humectants draw water from the dermis (the middle layer of the skin) into the epidermis. When relative air humidity is higher than 70% (such as after a rainy day, in tropical climates or a steam-filled room), humectants can draw water vapour from the surrounding air.
You'll Also Need Emollients to Lock the Moisture In
When shopping for your lip balm, keep your eyes peeled for popular emollients such as coconut oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter. These are typically used for battling dry skin and flakiness on the lips, trapping moisture around them until they soften.
Not to forget another great moisturiser: vitamin E. This super ingredient is both a humectant and an emollient, drawing moisture to the skin and sealing it there at the same time, so it's definitely worth checking the label!
Emollients are agents derived from lipids and oils that prevent water loss and have a softening and soothing effect on the skin, improving softness, flexibility, and smoothness.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble agent that acts as the primary antioxidant in human skin. Evidence suggests that topically applied vitamin E confers protection against the signs of acute and chronic sun exposure, including skin wrinkling and skin cancer.
Water-Resistant Lip Balms Save You from Constantly Reapplying
If you're paying for your lips to be protected from the sun, you want the lip balm to last as long as possible. If your lip balm isn't waterproof or water-resistant, you'll notice that you'll have to reapply it every hour or so, so it pays to check the label for these claims.
On average, you should reapply your lip balm every 3-4 hours when you're in direct sunlight, for example, on the beach or by the pool.
Not to mention, if you're swimming at the beach, running, or training hard at the outdoor gym, waterproof and sweat-proof lip balms will be an ideal option for you to keep your lips hydrated all the way through summer.
It's of utmost importance to choose a good lip balm that moisturises and offers high UV protection. Also, it's vital to know that there are no 100% "waterproof" lip balms. This is especially important to consider after swimming and sweating. Therefore, no matter what the label says, lip balms should be reapplied every 2-3 hours.
If You Want a Boost of Flavour With Amazing Smell, Prefer Natural Fruity or the Scented Ones
SPF lip balms can often have fruity or other flavours to make the experience of wearing them more enjoyable and, in a way, addictive. However, the scented ingredients that make your lip balm taste so summery aren't always good for your skin.
If you have sensitive skin or are prone to breakouts, you may wish to to limit the amount of added fragrances in your lip balm as this can often be a cause of irritation.
Instead, you can opt for a lip balm that doesn't have added chemical flavours or scents, but uses only natural ingredients to make the product smell amazing, such as honey, aloe vera, or coconut oil. This should hopefully still encourage you to use it!
Dermatologists agree that fragrances are a leading cause of allergic reactions on the skin, but not all people are at risk. People with atopic dermatitis have an increased risk of becoming sensitised (allergic) to fragrances due to their disrupted skin barrier function, so they should stick to fragrance-free products.
To identify fragrant ingredients, look out for other words in the ingredient list like eugenol, geraniol, citronellol, linalool, and limonene.
10 Best Lip Balms With SPF in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sunsense Sun Protection Lip Balm | | High SPF, High Ratings, High Protection | |
2 | Lypsyl Sun Protect Balm | | Protect and Nourish With Lypsyl's Vanilla-Scented SPF 50 | |
3 | Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen Lip Balm | | With Coconut Oil and Cocoa Butter, It Smells Great, Works Even Better | |
4 | eos Active with Aloe Lip Balm | | A Soothing Balm With a Fun and Unique Design | |
5 | Garnier Ambre Solaire Lip Balm | | Water-Resistant, Super Hydrating and Long-Lasting | |
6 | Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm | | Cruelty Free Balm With Vitamin E and Argan Oil | |
7 | Bobbi Brown Lip Balm SPF 15 | | A Loveable Designer Tin of Lip Balm | |
8 | Malibu Lipbalm with SPF | | A Fruity Pack of Three SPF Lip Balms | |
9 | Nivea Sun Protect Caring Lip Balm | | This Balm Is Practical and Protecting | |
10 | Neutrogena SPF 20 Lip Care | | A Sensible, Basic Lip Balm With SPF 20 |
High SPF, High Ratings, High Protection
Featuring a not-so-common (yet incredibly practical) gliding applicator, this lip balm applies a thick, even layer of nourishing formula. It's fragrance-free and rich in vitamin E so you know that you're not putting harsh chemicals on your lips. Additionally, it also includes a dose of vitamin B3 to improve the overall appearance of the skin on your lips.
We simply love that you can wear this SPF 50 lip balm for up to four hours without having to reapply, and this, alongside the fact it's suitable for everyone, makes it our number one pick!
Protect and Nourish With Lypsyl's Vanilla-Scented SPF 50
Suitable for both adults and children above 3 years, this lip balm is perfect for family trips to the beach. It's free from preservatives and artificial colours, not forgetting that it's rich in vitamin E. It also has a subtle taste of sweet vanilla, which is blended with velvety cocoa butter. Yum!
Due to its water-resistant properties, you can wear this product in the swimming pool or sea without having to reapply. Just make sure that you put it on 15 minutes before you head into the sun.
With Coconut Oil and Cocoa Butter, It Smells Great, Works Even Better
Let your mind drift to thoughts of a tropical island with the summery scents of this SPF 30 lip balm. Hawaiian Tropic is notorious for its tropical-smelling products, and if you're a fan of the lotions or oils, this is probably going to be your new favourite buy!
Wearable for up to 80 minutes, this waterproof lip balm contains soothing aloe vera, calming coconut, and vitamins A, C, and E so you're bound to feel hydrated and nourished while staying safe from the sun.
A Soothing Balm With a Fun and Unique Design
The quirky, unique design is one of the most appealing selling points of EOS lip balms, but below the surface, there's so much more to love about this brand's soothing products.
Whether it's sweat, seawater, or pool water, this lip balm will keep your lips safe from the sun for up to 80 minutes before having to reapply. Rich in natural ingredients such as jojoba oil and cacao butter, this thick, creamy moisturiser has an SPF of 30.
Water-Resistant, Super Hydrating and Long-Lasting
This lip balm by Garnier is enriched with emollients like shea butter and vitamin E, both of which will nourish your lips and keep them soft and plump. Its twist-stick mechanism makes it an easy and convenient solution to dry lips, and will help you to feel hydrated throughout the day.
Not only this, but you'll notice that your lips are less prone to drying up, as this lip balm contains a selection of moisturising ingredients that have long-lasting effects. It's also water-resistant so perfect for beach or pool trips.
Cruelty Free Balm With Vitamin E and Argan Oil
This coconut-scented SPF 30 lip balm has plentiful amounts of moisturising ingredients, including vitamin E and argan oil. Argan oil is considered as the liquid gold of Morocco, owing to the fact that it's rich in antioxidants as well as being an anti-inflammatory.
All of this combined with the added aloe vera means that not only will it protect you from burning, but it can help to soothe your skin afterwards if you get caught out! It can also be used year-round to soothe chapping and protect from the winter sun.
A Loveable Designer Tin of Lip Balm
Stored in a cute retro silver tin, this SPF lip balm is a popular choice, partly for its aesthetic appeal. Smelling like sweet roses, this compact tin also contains vitamin E and wholesome, nutritive oils. Moreover, it has a non-greasy texture so you won't even feel like you're wearing it.
This balm has an SPF of just 15, meaning that it's not strong enough to last the whole day, although it's enough to use as a protecting lipstick primer.
A Fruity Pack of Three SPF Lip Balms
This lip balm by Malibu has an SPF of 30 and it's resistant to both sweat and water. It's perfect for bringing along to pool, park, or beach days with the kids as they're sure to love the sweet fruity scents of watermelon, mint, and vanilla. Some parents may prefer a higher SPF than 30, however.
Because of the fact it comes in these three delicious flavours, this set of SPF lip balms does contain flavourings and perfumes that could irritate sensitive skin, so take care if you are prone to this.
This Balm Is Practical and Protecting
To protect yourself from sun damage on your lips, this powerful lip balm provides long-lasting, intense moisture for 24 hours. Its new melt-in formula means that there's no greasy residue left over, it just soaks in and leaves your lips feeling soft.
Though it will appeal to those who want a plain balm only, this product isn't scented or flavoured. It lacks a lot of the ingredients that make the other scentless balms on our list so naturally sweet-smelling, such as honey extract or coconut oil.
A Sensible, Basic Lip Balm With SPF 20
Neutrogena is a popular and trusted brand for skincare products, and this SPF 20 lip balm is as reliable as ever. It's dermatologically-tested to improve the surface of the lips as it protects. Soothing the skin and softening the flakiness, this balm can protect you from the sun (and cold!) all year round.
However, there's no indication whether or not it's waterproof, and the ingredients are slightly lacking, so overall, we'd recommend this simply as a basic lip balm for an affordable price.
Frequently Asked Question
When Should You Be Wearing Lip Balm With SPF?
Lips usually tend to get forgotten when one thinks of applying sunscreen. However, not many know that skin on the lips is much thinner and delicate compared to the skin on the face. So, using a lip balm before you plan to go to the beach on a sunny day becomes imperative. Not only does it protect you from painful sunburn, but also helps lips keep looking young and healthy.
Written and researched by Annie Speight
Top 5 Lip Balms With SPF
No. 1: Sunsense｜Sun Protection Lip Balm
No. 2: Lypsyl｜Sun Protect Balm
No. 3: Hawaiian Tropic｜Sunscreen Lip Balm
No. 4: eos｜Active with Aloe Lip Balm
No. 5: Garnier｜Ambre Solaire Lip Balm
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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