Go big on SPF: Choose lip balms that are SPF 15 or higher (the higher the better), says Dr. Shainhouse. If you decide on a lip balm that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the sunscreen, be sure to reapply frequently. “These ingredients sit on top of the skin, so they wipe off very easily with eating, drinking, licking, and talking,” says Dr. Shainhouse.
Look for emollients: Your lip sunscreen should contain two types of moisturizing ingredients, known as humectants (think: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, honey) and emollients (petrolatum, coconut oil, shea butter), says New York-based board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD. Humectants draw moisture into the top layers of your lips, and emollients lock the moisture into place—without emollients, the moisture will evaporate and your lips will be left drier than they were before.
Avoid drying ingredients: Steer clear of menthol, camphor, and phenol as lip balm ingredients, as they can have a drying effect. Same goes for salicylic acid: “It’s sometimes added as an exfoliant to help remove dry, flaky skin from your lips, but repeated use will likely lead to irritation,” says Dr. King.
Save lip gloss for date night: If going out in the sun for long periods, avoid glossy lip balms, which can attract UV rays to the lips, says Dr. Shainhouse.
Check for beeswax: “If you have sensitive skin and are prone to reactions, I would avoid lip balms made with beeswax, which contains propolis (the glue made by honeybees), an increasingly common cause of allergic contact dermatitis,” says Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas. Your lips may become red, itchy, painful, or blistered when using the lip balm.
But no matter which lip balm with SPF you choose, make sure you reapply it every two hours (sooner if your lips get wet). Below, dermatologist-approved picks to keep your lips plump and protected.
To learn more, click here: https://www.prevention.com/beauty/skin-care/g26934681/best-lip-balm-with-spf/
