Oprah Daily Staffers Trial SPF Lip Balms That Leave Your Pout Protected (2024)

If you're a skincare enthusiast, you're likely an SPF pro who's found the best sunscreen for your face, zeroed in on a sunscreen spray that doesn't leave you feeling sticky, and probably even have the ideal product for your scalp. Protecting your skin from the sun is the best way to keep it free of skin cancers, which affect women and men of all skin tones. However, there's another often-overlooked spot: the lips. "We often remember to apply sunscreen to our faces and body when outside but forget about the importance of protecting our lips from sun damage," says dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at NYU's School of Medicine. And because the skin on the lips is thinner, going years with intense, unprotected UV exposure can lead to more aggressive forms of skin cancer that are harder to treat, adds Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. The good news is there is no shortage of lip balms with SPF to shop for and consider. Learn more, below:

What to look for in an SPF lip balm

Like face sunscreen, you'll want to look for a formula with SPF 30 or higher, recommends Gohara. A good lip balm should also be rich in occlusive elements like oils, beeswax, and petrolatum, which seal in moisture so your pout doesn't dry out, says Marchbein. And the same rules of reapplication apply here, too: You need to be coating your lips in the formula of your choice every two hours when outdoors, regardless of skin tone and weather, explains Gohara. Ahead, these lip balms with SPF are just right for the job, plus have added moisturizing benefits that'll have you applying them over and over again.

The experts:

• Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC
• Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut

Just think about pulling this tinted lip sunscreen from your purse. It screams luxurious, and its formula is even better. It offers beautiful pigmented coverage that can be layered for a full-coverage lipstick look or blended out for something more sheer and soft. In addition to SPF 25 from mineral and chemical filters, it contains botanical-based lanolin to retain moisture and silk proteins to maintain soft, smooth, and hydrated lips. Shop it in three shades: warm red, pink, and dark purple.

Thick, soothing oils (read: castor, carrot, and avocado seeds) provide serious relief for dry lips, plus caffeine stimulates blood circulation, offering mild plumpness. Of course, there are big sun-protecting benefits, too, thanks to SPF 15 with titanium dioxide and antioxidants, green tea extract, and vitamins C and E help protect lips from environmental irritants, It comes in four shades, including clear.

If you can't resist a glossy formula, you'll love this option, which comes highly recommended from Marchbein. It contains zinc oxide to provide plenty of UV protection, while hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and peptides hydrate and plump lips and support collagen and elastin production. Shop it in four shades, including a pink, a champagne, and a berry tone.

The sun isn't the only source of light that can cause signs of aging; the blue light emitted from the screens of your tech devices can also contribute to and exacerbate fine lines, dark spots, wrinkles, and more. Fortunately, this tinted lip balm has got you covered. It comes in seven (!!) shades, so everyone can find a hue that suits them. You'll love the addition of avocado and olive oils that give added moisture and nourishment.

Here's Oprah Daily beauty director, Kate Sandoval Box, wearing MDSolarSciences Tinted Lip Balm SPF 30 in the shade Shimmer. She keeps this in her purse and reapplies every time she gets in her car. Remember: UV rays can penetrate through glass windows!

The squeeze tube makes it easy to apply moisture on the go. It’s lightweight yet emollient enough for even the driest of lips, thanks to shea butter and avocado oil. It's a clear formula that comes in different flavors, such as black tea and blackberry, grapefruit and ginger, and lemon. You'll also find it has antioxidants for the added benefit of protection against environmental aggressors. And did we mention, it's only $10?

Shield your lips from harmful rays with this mineral-based lip balm with SPF 30. It comes in two delicious flavors: watermelon and coconut. It's super lightweight and glides easily onto the lips. It contains nourishing ingredients, like shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and beeswax to seal in moisture.

A swipe of this tinted formula gives gorgeous, full-coverage pigment, so if you want the protection of an SPF balm without sacrificing the color payoff of a lipstick, add this to cart ASAP. It has a beautiful satin finish and comes in four shades: warm terracotta, fuchsia, rose, and raisin plum. It also has added skincare benefits. Mango, shea, and murumuru butters lock in hydration; peptides and portulaca pilosa extracts hydrate and give the appearance of smoother and plump lips.

After testing the Supergoop Lipshade 100% Mineral SPF 30 Hydrating Lipstick, Oprah Daily beauty editor Genesis Rivas keeps the shade High Five near her desk so she can swipe it on before meetings to feel a little more put together (and protected).

Looking for a luxe option? The Rolls-Royce of your lip balm collection? This one is a splurge, for sure, but you won't be able to stop using it, and it's refillable. It's infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid and Moroccan thyme extract, which protects against photoaging. This indulgent balm can be worn on its own and enjoyed purely for its smooth and velvety texture, or used as a primer under your lipstick.

Organic cupuacu butter and mongongo oil give this delicately tinted balm its heavenly texture. Mineral sun blockers protect while natural flavors and colors make you feel better about slathering this on (and on and on and on). You've also got different hues to choose from, from deep red to champagne pink.

Oprah Daily fashion editor Sara Klausing loves the Coola Organic Tinted Lip Balm in Original because she can apply it effortlessly, without a mirror.

Elizabeth Arden's famous Eight Hour Cream is a skincare staple—so it's no surprise that bringing the formula to a lip balm would yield some stellar results. In addition to its SPF, this one is infused with vitamins A, E, and B1, plus zinc and iron to keep delicate lip skin healthy, supple, and soft.

Is there anything Aquaphor can't do? If you ask most dermatologists, the answer is no. That's why they continue to recommend this top-selling drugstore find. It's great for soothing and moisturizing chapped and dry lips, but because it works so well at sealing in moisture, all skin types will appreciate its ability to keep lips smooth, hydrated, and healthy. It also gives lips a soft and gleamy sheen, like a gloss, making it great for using it on its own or applying on top of a lipstick.

Suitable for all skin types (including super sensitive), this untinted balm is great for everyone, says Marchbein. It also contains zinc oxide to neutralize free radicals, which means it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. It's very hydrating because of glycerin and water-resistant up to 80 minutes.

Our beauty team is dedicated to finding you the best of the best formulas. We spoke with dermatologists to learn about what to look for in an SPF lip balm and got their go-to recommendations. We also researched and tested (see our pics above!) top-rated and brand-new formulas that hit the market to help you find the best products out there.