I never realized how important it was to apply sunscreen on my lips until I got a gnarly lip sunburn. Now, I don’t go anywhere without the best SPF lip balms—and neither should you.
“The lips are one of the most delicate yet neglected areas of the face when it comes to sun protection,” says board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD. “Lips naturally contain very little melanin, making them much more susceptible to sun damage—plus, the skin on the lips is among the thinnest of any part of the body.”
Knowing this, Team Cosmo set out to find the best SPF lip balms that are silky smooth, impart a glassy shine, and, you know, beautifully protect lips from the sun’s harsh rays. The following nine formulas are the ones we keep stashed in our purses, beach bags, and suitcases all summer long.
| SPF level | 30 |
| Tinted | Yes |
Why We Love It: Does your summer lip combo include SPF? ’Cause ours does. We never have to choose between protecting our pout or getting the juiciest, glossiest finish with this SPF lip balm. It functions exactly like the most hydrating lip gloss that imparts a sheer wash of color—with the bonus benefit of sun protection, of course.
Cosmo Editor Review: “SPF on my lips used to feel optional, but this gloss has made it nonnegotiable. It is shiny and hydrating and gives an effortless tint (my fave is Rosy Brown). My lips always look juicy with it, but most importantly, they’re beautifully protected.” —JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE
| SPF level | 30 |
| Tinted | yes |
Why We Love It: Prequel makes protecting lips fun with this glassy SPF that deeply hydrates with every glide. Beyond, you know, sun protection, the formula is infused with a variety of antioxidants to smooth and hydrate your pout and also comes in six tints for a pretty flush of color.
Cosmo Editor Review: “So many SPF lip balms feel unpleasantly thick and gooey or leave behind a weird aftertaste, but this is delightful, so I actually don’t mind applying and reapplying it throughout the day. I end up using the clear one the most often since it’s the most functional for beach days and outdoor workouts, but the tinted options are gorgeous, too.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
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| SPF level | 30 |
| Tinted | No |
Why We Love It: Have you ever felt betrayed by a great-smelling SPF lip balm only for it to leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth? We know we have. Hawaiian Tropic somehow created magic with this SPF lip balm though. Not only does it smell like a freshly made tropical cocktail, but it also leaves behind a gorgeous sheen while hydrating lips with shea butter and vitamin E. Oh, and it’s water-resistant for 80 minutes, so feel free to frolic in the ocean after swiping it on.
Cosmo Editor Review: “This is the best smelling—and tasting—SPF lip balm I’ve ever used. The tropical coconut scent transports me to island time and doesn’t leave a gross chemical-y taste in my mouth. I keep one in every beach bag.” —MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITOR
| SPF level | 30 |
| Tinted | No |
Why We Love It: If we blind-tested this next to ordinary hydrating lip balms, we wouldn’t be able to tell this was an SPF lippie. The texture feels just as plush and luxe as pricey glosses and even helps plump lips. It’s pretty much an all-in-one formula designed to make lips look and feel incredible—and stay that way for years to come.
Cosmo Editor Review: “The texture of this is to die for! Seriously, it rivals some of my more expensive glosses and even has a slightly cooling and plumping effect. My lips look extra juicy and glassy every time I swipe it on.” —MH
| SPF level | 30 |
| Tinted | No |
Why We Love It: Who knew applying lip balm could be so fun? The unique star-tipped applicator dispenses ribbons of pillowy moisture right onto your pucker and deeply nourishes with a mix of coconut, banana, shea butter, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. You’ll want to layer it over lipstick—even at night—because of the uplifting coconut-vanilla scent and the glossy sheen it leaves behind.
Cosmo Editor Review: “What can’t Vacation do in the sun care department? This lippie is just as fun to use as the classic whipped body SPF, and it leaves my pout feeling extra hydrated and glossy. All my friends ask to swipe it the moment I pull it out of my bag.” — MH
| SPF level | 36 |
| Tinted | No |
Why We Love It: Practically every dermatologist swears by EltaMD for sun care, including the lip balm. The whipped texture feels feathery soft yet substantial—this isn’t a balm that will wear off shortly after application. In fact, it will stay in place for at least 80 minutes, even if you’re swimming or sweating.
Cosmo Editor Review: “As a redhead who burns basically the moment I step into the sun, I trust EltaMD sunscreens with my life. The lip balm is no exception. It glides so smoothly across my lips and feels cushiony while also creating a protective barrier. Does it leave a touch of white cast? Yes, but it melts in quickly. I’ve never gotten a lip burn since I started using this, just saying!” —MH
| SPF level | 50+ |
| Tinted | No |
Why We Love It: Australia knows sunscreen, and lip care has never been an afterthought for Standard Procedure. This lip balm has the highest SPF protection of all the products on our list—a whopping SPF 50+—and beyond shielding from UV rays, this also combats dryness with a combination of mango butter, vitamin E, and coconut emollients.
Cosmo Editor Review: “I know this is about to become my best friend during the balmy New York City summer. Temps are already pushing 90 degrees and the sun is blaring, yet this makes me feel all the more protected. Plus, the coconut scent adds a refreshing zing every time I apply.” —MH
| SPF level | 25 |
| Tinted | No |
Why We Love It: An SPF lip balm shouldn’t cost as much as a tube of facial sunscreen, IMHO. For those trying to protect their pout on a budget, SUNPLUS has come to the rescue. This hefty tube costs just $11 and will last a very long time even with daily application.
Cosmo Editor Review: “I love a lip balm shaped like a lipstick bullet—it makes the application feel so much more elevated. The cooling mint flavor is a nice touch that makes me feel so much more awake every time I swipe, too.” —MH
| SPF level | 30 |
| Tinted | No |
Why We Love It: If you’re a Burt’s Bees loyalist, this SPF-infused formula might just become your new favorite. It feels exactly like the original balm—nourishing and soft—but with added sun protection to keep your lips safe and comfortable all year long.
Cosmo Editor Review: “I might never go back to the regular Burt’s Bees balms since these glide on just as smoothly, produce the same invigorating tingle, and offer SPF protection. It’s like a triple crown of lip care.” —MH
FAQ
At a minimum, Dr. Engelman says to use a lip balm that has a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher, because this level “offers strong protection against both UVA and UVB rays.” But remember: A single application with this level isn’t sufficient for a full day. “Make sure you’re reapplying at least every hour or two if you’re outside, especially on sunnier days,” she adds.
During daylight hours, Dr. Engelman says to apply your lip balm every two hours since lip products tend to wear off rather quickly. “Always reapply after meals, swimming, or sweating,” she urges. “Consistency will help protect the lips from cumulative damage.”
There are a few ways to heal a sunburn on your lips. First, Dr. Engelman suggests using a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream twice daily to calm inflammation. It’s also a good idea to layer on a nourishing and hydrating lip mask—like the Gisou Honey Glaze Collagen Therapy Lip Mask—to support your lips’ skin barrier and restore moisture.
If your sunburn is especially painful, cold compresses can help soothe and slow swelling. “Be sure to avoid exfoliating products, strong actives, or fragranced lip treatments, as these can further irritate compromised skin,” Dr. Engelman adds. “If you experience severe blistering, persistent cracking, or significant pain, it’s best to see a dermatologist to rule out a more serious reaction.”
Mary Honkus is a contributor for Cosmopolitan with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories, including definitively ranking CeraVe vs. Cetaphil products and rounding up the most delectable gourmand perfumes. She’s an authority in all beauty categories but an expert when it comes to SPF. (She is a redhead, after all!) For this story, she tested dozens of SPF lip balms and consulted with other Cosmo editors and dermatologists to find the best formulas that will protect your pout through the summer months and beyond.
Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.
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