How to Choose a Lip Balm With SPF in the UK
Key Points to Consider
- Consider how much SPF would you require
- If you want extra hydration, look for emollients and moisturising ingredients
- If you do water activities, know about the specific water-resistant lip balms
- Check for natural ingredients available
1
The Sun Protection Factor Should Be No Less Than 15 to Be Effective
SPF stands for sun protection factor, which determines how well a product can bounce off UV rays. For example, an SPF of 30 allows just one-thirtieth of UV to reach your skin. In short, the higher the number is, the more protected you are.
For the best results, we'd recommend any SPF above 15, although you can find lip balms with an SPF of up to 50! If you have sensitive skin or you're buying for a child, it's better for you to avoid the low SPFs and aim for the highest possible to avoid blistering when in contact with the sun's strong UV rays.
If you're not in direct sunlight for long periods of time, you could settle for a lower SPF as long as you top up regularly.
Dermatologist
Felipe Partarrieu
A higher sun protection factor (SPF) will provide more protection, but remember that no sunscreen is 100 per cent effective at blocking out UV rays. Most dermatology societies worldwide recommend using a sunscreen that’s 30 SPF or higher, no matter the skin tone, time of the year or latitude.
2
Look for Emollients and Moisturising Ingredients for Extra Hydration
Humectants Make Your Lips Soft and Plump
While you may not have heard of humectants before, you're likely to be familiar with them from products that you already own.
Humectants help to bring moisture molecules to the surface of your lips and most commonly, they consist of ingredients such as aloe vera, jojoba oil and glycerin.Drawing more moisture to the surface can hydrate your lips, smooth them out, and keep them looking plump.
However, it's important to note that, along with humectants, you must have emollients in the lip balm too. Otherwise, the moisture that has been drawn will evaporate, causing your lips to dry out even more. More on that next!
Dermatologist
Felipe Partarrieu
Humectants are substances, both natural and man-made, that attract moisture when applied to the skin and lips. Glycerin, urea and hyaluronic acid are humectants commonly found in skincare products.
In most cases, humectants draw water from the dermis (the middle layer of the skin) into the epidermis. When relative air humidity is higher than 70% (such as after a rainy day, in tropical climates or a steam-filled room), humectants can draw water vapour from the surrounding air.
You'll Also Need Emollients to Lock the Moisture In
When shopping for your lip balm, keep your eyes peeled for popular emollients such as coconut oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter. These are typically used for battling dry skin and flakiness on the lips, trapping moisture around them until they soften.
Not to forget another great moisturiser: vitamin E. This super ingredient is both a humectant and an emollient, drawing moisture to the skin and sealing it there at the same time, so it's definitely worth checking the label!
Dermatologist
Felipe Partarrieu
Emollients are agents derived from lipids and oils that prevent water loss and have a softening and soothing effect on the skin, improving softness, flexibility, and smoothness.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble agent that acts as the primary antioxidant in human skin. Evidence suggests that topically applied vitamin E confers protection against the signs of acute and chronic sun exposure, including skin wrinkling and skin cancer.
3
Water-Resistant Lip Balms Save You from Constantly Reapplying
If you're paying for your lips to be protected from the sun, you want the lip balm to last as long as possible. If your lip balm isn't waterproof or water-resistant, you'll notice that you'll have to reapply it every hour or so, so it pays to check the label for these claims.
On average, you should reapply your lip balm every 3-4 hours when you're in direct sunlight, for example, on the beach or by the pool.
Not to mention, if you're swimming at the beach, running, or training hard at the outdoor gym, waterproof and sweat-proof lip balms will be an ideal option for you to keep your lips hydrated all the way through summer.
Dermatologist
Felipe Partarrieu
It's of utmost importance to choose a good lip balm that moisturises and offers high UV protection. Also, it's vital to know that there are no 100% "waterproof" lip balms. This is especially important to consider after swimming and sweating. Therefore, no matter what the label says, lip balms should be reapplied every 2-3 hours.
4
If You Want a Boost of Flavour With Amazing Smell, Prefer Natural Fruity or the Scented Ones
SPF lip balms can often have fruity or other flavours to make the experience of wearing them more enjoyable and, in a way, addictive. However, the scented ingredients that make your lip balm taste so summery aren't always good for your skin.
If you have sensitive skin or are prone to breakouts, you may wish to to limit the amount of added fragrances in your lip balm as this can often be a cause of irritation.
Instead, you can opt for a lip balm that doesn't have added chemical flavours or scents, but usesonly natural ingredients to make the product smell amazing, such as honey, aloe vera, or coconut oil.This should hopefully still encourage you to use it!
Dermatologist
Felipe Partarrieu
Dermatologists agree that fragrances are a leading cause of allergic reactions on the skin, but not all people are at risk. People with atopic dermatitis have an increased risk of becoming sensitised (allergic) to fragrances due to their disrupted skin barrier function, so they should stick to fragrance-free products.
To identify fragrant ingredients, look out for other words in the ingredient list like eugenol, geraniol, citronellol, linalool, and limonene.
