Lip balm with SPF: SPF 15 vs 30, reapplying and what the label says
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- ChapStick Moisturizer Original SPF 15. Best for: Everyday lip sun protection. See options on Amazon
- Aquaphor Lip Protectant + Sunscreen. Best for: Very dry lips in sun or wind. See options on Amazon
Two SPF lip balms compared
| Detail | ChapStick Moisturizer Original SPF 15 | Aquaphor Lip Protectant + Sunscreen |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredients | Avobenzone, octinoxate, white petrolatum | Petrolatum 31.0%, avobenzone 3.0%, octinoxate 6.75%, octisalate 4.5%, octocrylene 2.0%, oxybenzone 5.4% |
| Purposes | Sunscreen and skin protectant | Skin protectant and sunscreen |
| Notable inactive ingredients | Beeswax, lanolin, aloe leaf extract, flavor | Castor seed oil, shea butter, panthenol, beeswax |
Details are from each product's DailyMed label. Both say keep out of eyes, do not use on damaged or broken skin, and keep out of reach of children.
How to apply SPF lip balm
- Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure.
- Reapply at least every 2 hours, and after eating or drinking wipes it away.
- Water and sweat: the labels say use a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.
- Babies: the labels say ask a doctor for children under 6 months.
Lips are easy to forget when you put on sunscreen, so keep a stick with your face sunscreen. See our mineral sunscreen guide for the face and body.
Lips lose balm quickly when you talk, eat and drink, so reapplying on schedule matters as much as the SPF number. Carrying a stick in a pocket or bag makes it easier to follow the every-2-hours rule on long days outside.
SPF 15 or SPF 30?
The labels' sun protection measures recommend regularly using a sunscreen with a Broad Spectrum SPF value of 15 or higher, together with other sun protection. A higher SPF does not let you skip reapplying: both labels say reapply at least every 2 hours. If you spend long days outdoors, at the beach or on snow, a higher SPF balm and frequent reapplication make sense.
Other sun protection measures
Both labels say spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. Alongside sunscreen, they recommend:
- limiting time in the sun, especially from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats and sunglasses
A wide-brimmed hat helps shade the lips and face. For eyes, see our glasses guides and choose UV-protective sunglasses.
Chapped and cracked lips
Both products also work as lip protectants. ChapStick lists helping prevent and temporarily protect chafed, chapped or cracked lips and protecting from the drying effects of wind and cold weather. Aquaphor lists temporarily protecting and helping relieve chapped or cracked lips. Petrolatum is the protectant ingredient in both.
For dry skin elsewhere, see our facial moisturizer guide. Do not use these products on damaged or broken skin, and stop and ask a doctor if a rash or irritation occurs.
Reading a lip balm label
Because SPF lip balms are sunscreens, they carry a Drug Facts panel. Look at three parts. Active ingredients tell you which sunscreen filters and protectants it uses; ChapStick lists avobenzone, octinoxate and white petrolatum, while Aquaphor lists petrolatum plus avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene and oxybenzone with exact percentages. Purposes tell you it is both a sunscreen and a skin protectant. Inactive ingredients matter if you have sensitivities: ChapStick lists lanolin, beeswax, flavor and saccharin, and Aquaphor lists castor seed oil, shea butter, beeswax and BHT. If you react to lanolin, fragrance or flavorings, compare these lists before buying, and stop use if a rash or irritation develops.
Cold sores and lip balm
Lip balm is easy to share, and sharing during a cold sore outbreak can spread infection, so keep your own balm, and consider replacing it after a cold sore. If you get cold sores, protecting your lips with an SPF balm is part of everyday lip care alongside any treatment your doctor recommends. For cold sore treatment, see our cold sore cream guide.
Keep lip balm out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
What to look for when you buy
ChapStick Moisturizer Original SPF 15
Best for: Everyday lip sun protection
Its label lists avobenzone and octinoxate sunscreens with white petrolatum.
Watch out: Reapply at least every 2 hours.
See options on AmazonAquaphor Lip Protectant + Sunscreen
Best for: Very dry lips in sun or wind
Its label lists petrolatum 31.0% with five sunscreen ingredients including avobenzone 3.0%.
Watch out: Use a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Do I need SPF in lip balm?
- Lips can sunburn; the labels say SPF lip balm helps prevent sunburn when used with other sun protection.
- How often should I reapply SPF lip balm?
- At least every 2 hours, per the labels.
- What SPF should lip balm have?
- The labels recommend Broad Spectrum SPF 15 or higher.
- Can babies use SPF lip balm?
- The labels say ask a doctor for children under 6 months.
- Is lip balm with SPF waterproof?
- Not necessarily; the labels say use a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.
- Does lip balm with SPF help chapped lips?
- Yes. Both labels list protecting and relieving chapped or cracked lips, plus protection from wind and cold.
Sources
- ChapStick Moisturizer Original SPF 15 label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Aquaphor Lip Protectant + Sunscreen label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine