SPF Lip Balms
How to choose (and use) the best balm that protects the lips from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays
When we apply sunscreen, we often miss small spots here and there. The area we neglect the most is arguably one of the most crucial areas to protect from the sun: our lips.
The lips have thin skin with very little melanin, which means that they have minimal natural protection against the UV rays.
Being constantly exposed to the sun, the lips are not only at risk of sunburn, but can also develop scaly lesions called actinic keratosis. When they occur on the pink part of the lips, they are called actinic cheilitis. If left untreated, they can progress to squamous cell skin cancer. As noted, the skin on the lips is very thin, and these cancers have a higher risk of becoming invasive. Also, let's not forget that the skin of the lips is also at risk of developing melanoma. So, we shouldn't hesitate to consult a dermatologist as soon as we notice problematic areas on our lips.
And when all is well with the lips, the best way to protect them is to use an SPF lip balm regularly.
What to look for when choosing a new lip balm
- Go for high SPF: The higher, the better. SPF 15 and up. If the lip balm contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as sunscreen filters in the formulation, then we should reapply the balm more frequently. These ingredients sit like a film on top of the skin and when we eat, drink or talk, we can wipe them off very easily.
- Look for emollients: The sunscreen lip balm should contain two types of moisturizing ingredients known as moisturizers (for example: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera) and emollients (for example: vaseline, coconut oil, shea butter ). Humectants are the ones that bring moisture into the upper layers of our lips, and emollients seal the moisture into place - without emollients, the moisture will evaporate and our lips will become even drier than they were initially.
- Stay away from drying ingredients: Menthol, camphor and phenol can have a drying effect on the lips.
- Lip glosses are for special occasions: If we plan on staying out in the sun for a long time, we sure do not need anything glossy that can additionally attract UV rays to our lips.
- If we have allergies: It is good to avoid lip balms with propolis when the skin is sensitive and reactive. There is a high chance for our lips to become itchy and painful when using such lip balm.
To recap, we should use an SPF lip balm regularly and:
- Remember to reapply it every two hours (even more frequently when eating or drinking).
- Keep in mind that it's just as important to protect our lips from the sun during the winter months, as it is during the summer.