Protect Those Lips

Look in my car, medicine cabinet, totes, purse, beach chair and pretty much anywhere else and you will come across bottle after bottle of sunscreen. We have liquid, spray, wipes, oil, with SPF ranging from 8 (I know, I know…) to 60. Thanks to living at the beach and spending our days with our toes in the sand we have pretty much become pro’s at the application process. However, there is one area that all that sunscreen just can’t protect.

Your lips!

While most people are quick to apply chapstick in the winter it is easy to forget that our lips need protection in the summer too. The sun can wreak havoc on the lips causing cold sores, wrinkles, and even a form of lip cancer. This article is full of information about sun damage to the lips.

In a nutshell, don’t forget the SPF for those precious lips! Experts say that you should find one with at least SPF of 30, but even 15 is better than nothing. It is also important to apply the lip sunblock frequently, up to every two hours or so based upon sun exposure. Don’t forget just like regular sunscreen you want to make sure it is waterproof if you are going to be in the water and will want to reapply regularly.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Burt’s Bees Sun Protecting Lip Balm only has an SPF of 8, but I really like the passion fruit. I use this more for daily wear when I’m running in and out of the sun than when I’m in it for a whole day.

Banana Boat Lip Balm is full of aloe which is so soothing on the lips. It also has an SPF 30 for the extra protection. I keep this in all of our beach bags because it is my favorite for a day out in the full sun. My lips never feel as dry or chapped when I come in from a day at the beach.

Chapstick Ultra has SPF 30 and a lemon-lime flavor that the kids like. I like how the chapstick moisturizes my lips making them feel soft too.

So next time you head out for a day full of fun in the sun don’t forget to protect those lips!