Are your lips looking more parched than plump? When most of us apply sunscreen, we cover every inch of exposed skin except our lips. But regular lip balm isn’t enough when you’re spending time in the sun. Your lips need broad-spectrum SPF to help prevent sunburn, dryness, and long-term sun damage. In this post, I’m sharing my favorite mineral-based SPF lip balms that keep lips soft, hydrated, and protected.
**This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you—I only recommend products and brands I genuinely trust and use myself.
Best Lip Balms with SPF – Quick Picks
Can your lips get sunburned?
Yes, your lips can get sunburned and unfortunately your lips are more vulnerable than much of the rest of your skin.
Why You Need an SPF Lip Balm
Lips need a little extra TLC especially during the summer. Unlike the rest of your skin, your lips contain very little melanin, the pigment that helps protect against UV damage. They also have a much thinner outer layer and fewer oil glands, making them more susceptible to dryness, chapping, and sun damage. That’s why a moisturizing lip balm with broad-spectrum SPF is an essential part of any summer skincare routine.
What To Look For In The Best SPF Lip Balm
Mineral Sunscreen Filters
This includes options like zinc oxide or zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Zinc oxide offers complete broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Titanium dioxide is highly effective against UVB and short-wave UVA, but doesn’t provide long-wave UVA protection. Together they offer excellent broad-spectrum protection along with a lighter texture thanks to titanium dioxide’s lightweight consistency.
SPF
Look for a rating of 15 or higher.
Moisturizing Ingredients
Options like shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, squalane, and castor oil soften and replenish the lips, while beeswax or plant waxes help seal in moisture. Vitamin E provides antioxidant support, and soothing ingredients like aloe vera can help calm dry or irritated lips.
Water Resistance
This is created in a lip balm usually as the result of a combination of ingredients such as waxes (Beeswax, Candelilla Wax, Carnauba Wax, Rice Bran Wax, Sunflower Wax) and film-forming ingredients (Polyhydroxystearic Acid) that help the sunscreen adhere to lips better. Re-application is still recommended after eating, drinking, or being in the water.
Broad Spectrum Protection
This guards against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays can cause premature aging and UVB rays can cause sunburns.
Tinted SPF Lip Balm
Tints can mask a white cast from zinc oxide while still providing sun protection.
Ingredients to Avoid In SPF Lip Balms
1. Chemical SPF’s
2. Menthol, Camphor, Phenol
3. Petroleum
4. Artificial Fragrances
5. Drying Alcohols
Chemical vs Mineral SPF Lip Balms
Benefits Of Mineral SPF
Mineral SPF is a great option if you want a broad-spectrum sun protection that’s gentle on sensitive skin. Made with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, mineral sunscreens start working as soon as it’s applied. It also is less likely to irritate the skin or eyes, and offers reliable defense against the UV rays that contribute to sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer.
Benefits Of Chemical SPF
One of the greatest attributes of a chemical SPF is its texture and application. Chemical-based sunscreens tend to be lightweight and invisible on the skin. Their water resistant formulations offer strong protection, while swimming, sweating, or during any other water activities.
Why I Choose Mineral SPF Lip Balms
I choose a mineral SPF for all of my sun protection needs including my lip balm, because I prefer mineral UV filters over chemical ones. Since lip products are easily licked or swallowed throughout the day, I prefer not to use chemical UV filters on my lips when a mineral option works just as well. I also love that a mineral SPF offers immediate protection. It makes my job as a Mom that much easier when I can apply mineral sunscreen on my kids and don’t have to make them wait 20 min before going out in the sun.
If you are looking for more clean sunscreen options, check out my picks for Best Natural Sunscreens for the Whole Family!
How I Tested The SPF Lip Balms
I tested the lip balms and rated them on a scale of 1-5. 1 being the worst and 5 being the best. I used the following criteria:
- White Cast – I wanted to see if the lip balm left a white hue on my lips or not from the zinc oxide- the SPF in the formula.
- Hydration – I was testing to see how nourishing the formula was overall throughout the day, did it last, did I have to re-apply.
- Texture – Is the texture gritty, smooth, or oily.
- Wear Time – How long it lasted overall.
- Clean Ingredients – Were the ingredients clean and minimal overall.
- Price – Was it budget friendly or did it break the bank.
Why Trust My Recommendations
I’ve been a clean beauty blogger for the past 11 years and an esthetician, hair stylist for over 20 years now. Beauty is in my blood! I’ve been testing clean beauty products since I started my own clean journey back in 2010. Ingredient safety and quality is more important now with young daughters than ever before! While I’ve tried many SPF lip balms I wanted to share the ones that really are the best of the best and actually meet my standards. Nobody wants to waste time reading about products that were a total flop!
Don’t miss the Best Natural Lips Balms here!
Best SPF Lip Balms
Primally Pure Sun Lip Balm SPF 15
Active Sunscreen Ingredient – Non-nano Zinc Oxide 10%
SPF Rating – 15
Price – $14.00
What I Liked
I really love that this lip balm doesn’t have any seed oils in it. It has minimal ingredients and they’re all so pure and clean. It’s made from grass-fed tallow. Mango butter, and beeswax. It feels really nourishing on the lips. Also super chic packaging! It goes on clear, even with the zinc oxide in the formula.
What I Didn’t Like
It’s on the spendier side overall. You can get several lip balms for the price of one of their lip balms. But you get what you pay for! I did feel like I needed to reapply if I was outside for the morning and going to be outside again in the afternoon.
Product Rating–
- Did it go on clear? 5/5
- Was the formula hydrating? 4/5
- How was the texture? 5/5
- Was the wear time long? 4/5
- Were the ingredients clean and minimal overall? 5/5
- Was it budget friendly? 2/5
Use code GULRGONEGREEN10 to save 10%
Badger Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 15
Active Sunscreen Ingredient – Zinc Oxide 8%
SPF Rating – 15
Price – $4.99
What I Liked
I liked how it went on clear- no white residue after applying it. I also liked the price point. They come in a pack of 4 and it evens out to about $4.25 per lip balm which isn’t bad. The ingredient list is also great too- super clean and minimal. Easy to find on Amazon too. I did need to reapply if I was outside the whole day. Most lip balms I’ve found I need to re-apply when the weather is especially warm.
What I Didn’t Like
I wish they didn’t have sunflower oil in the formula.
Product Ratings–
- Did it go on clear? 5/5
- Was the formula hydrating? 4/5
- How was the texture? 5/5
- Was the wear time long? 4/5
- Were the ingredients clean and minimal overall? 5/5
- Was it budget friendly? 5/5
- Overall Rating – 4.67/5
Portland Bee Balm Solar Eclipse All Natural Handmade Beeswax Based SPF 15 Lip Balm
Active Sunscreen Ingredient – Zinc Oxide 8%
SPF Rating – 15
Price – $12.00 for 3 pack
What I Liked
I love that this is made in the Pacific Northwest- my neck of the woods! It’s also made with Pacific Northwest honey. Organic cold-pressed extra virgin coconut oil Organic California extra virgin olive oil, and Zinc Oxide (8%). It’s so clean- just 4 minimal ingredients. It actually has a slight honey sweet scent that’s so good. It feels super nourishing on the lips and rubs in clear. I also loved the price on these! You can get 3 in a pack from Amazon for $9.99 (and during Amazon Prime days you could save $2!) This lasted the longest when it came to nourishing my lips the longest without needing to re-apply.
What I Didn’t Like
There is nothing I didn’t like about it. Really hit all the marks!
Product Ratings–
- Did it go on clear? 5/5
- Was the formula hydrating? 5/5
- How was the texture? 5/5
- Was the wear time long? 5/5
- Were the ingredients clean and minimal overall? 5/5
- Was it budget friendly? 5/5
ATTITUDE SPF 15 Lip Balm Duo, Mineral Sunscreen with Non-Nano Zinc Oxide
Active Sunscreen Ingredient – Zinc Oxide 10%
SPF Rating – 15
Price – $10.95
What I Liked
I liked that it was easy to find on Amazon, and it did feel moisturizing. It was also a budget friendly option overall- not the cheapest but not horrible.
What I Didn’t Like
It left a noticeable white hue on my lips. It had more ingredients overall than the other formulas- I prefer more minimal ingredient lists overall. I did feel like I needed to re-apply even though it felt nourishing going on, it dissipated quickly on my lips.
Product Ratings-
- Did it go on clear? 2/5
- Was the formula hydrating? 4/5
- How was the texture? 4/5
- Was the wear time long? 4/5
- Were the ingredients clean and minimal overall? 3/5
- Was it budget friendly? 4/5
All Good Organic SPF 15 Lip Balm
Active Sunscreen Ingredient – Zinc Oxide 3.5%
SPF Rating – 15
Price – $5.00
What I Liked
I like that it went on clear on my lips. It did feel moisturizing on my lips, but not as nourishing as some of the other formulas. I felt like I needed to apply more often. It comes in a pack of 3. It has an original flavor, a coconut scented lip balm and a spearmint lip balm. I felt like the coconut was a little strong for me personally. I prefer just the original that is unscented.
What I Didn’t Like
Not as moisturizing as the others, needed to re-apply more often. Didn’t love the scents, especially on my lips.
Product Rating–
- Did it go on clear? 4/5
- Was the formula hydrating? 4/5
- How was the texture? 5/5
- Was the wear time long? 4/5
- Were the ingredients clean and minimal overall? 4/5
- Was it budget friendly? 5/5
Check out How To Use A Lip Scrub + Best Lip Scrubs here!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is SPF lip balm really necessary?
Yes, an SPF lip balm is necessary if you spend any meaningful time out in the sun.
2. Are mineral SPF lip balms better?
SPF lip balms are better if you value gentle ingredients that are safe for sensitive skin and offer broad UVA protection.
3. How often should I reapply SPF lip balm?
It’s a good idea to reapply SPF lip balm every 2 hours when you’re out in the sun. Lips are used for eating, drinking, and talking, so lip balms don’t stay in place for long, hence the need for frequent application.
4. Can SPF lip balm prevent lip aging?
SPF lip balm can reduce the cumulative sun damage that leads to visible aging over time.
Did I miss your favorite SPF lip balm? Share it below!
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*Affiliate Disclosure: I do have affiliate links in this blog post. If you purchase something from my link, I will receive a small commission from the sale. This comes at no cost to you, but is paid by the company. I do not take becoming an affiliate with any company lightly. If I am, it’s because I believe in the company and their product.
*Suzi(Gurl Gone Green) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
