The Best Clean Lip Balm With Mineral SPF
Your delicate lips are prone to UV damage, so what’s the solution? Apply a lip balm with SPF before going outside! The best way to protect your lips all year long is with mineral SPF lip balm, and I’ve found 8 clean mineral sunscreen lip balm brands that are perfect for protecting your pout.
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You’re a pro at slathering your face and body with sunscreen, but what about your lips? This often overlooked area of the body is prone to UV damage. What’s the solution? Apply a lip balm with SPF before going outside.
The best way to protect your lips all year long is with mineral SPF lip balm, and I’ve found 8 clean mineral sunscreen lip balm brands that I think you’ll love.
The skin on your lips is structurally different than the skin on the rest of your body. The topmost protective layer, called the stratum corneum, is much thinner on the lips. Lip skin has little to no melanin, so it isn’t well equipped to protect against UV light. The takeaway is that your lips are at a high risk of getting sunburned.
What’s Wrong With Too Much UV Exposure On The Lips?
- UV Rays Age The Lips: When UV Light hits the lips, it damages lip plumping collagen and thins the lip skin, causing wrinkling and lip lines.
- Develop Actinic Keratosis– These pre-cancerous scaly, non-healing patches (also called actinic cheilitis) can progress into squamous cell skin cancer.
- Cold Sore Eruptions– UV rays can reactivate the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores on the lip area.
Chemical Or Mineral Sunscreen?
- Mineral: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the 2 mineral active ingredients used in sunscreen. Zinc oxide is one of the most effective sun protectors available, blocking out both short and long wave UVA rays and all UVB rays. Titanium dioxide is extremely effective at blocking short-wave UVA and UVB. At this time, the FDA (the Food and Drug Administration of the USA) recognizes Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide as the only safe and effective active ingredients in sunscreen.
- Chemical: The active chemical sunscreen ingredients oxybenzone, octinoxate and homosalate are established endocrine disruptors (1, 2). Endocrine disruptors have adverse effects on hormone function and human reproduction (3, 4). Currently, the FDA recommends further study on the safety and efficacy of the 12 following SPF ingredients: cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, padimate O, sulisobenzone, oxybenzone, and avobenzone.
What’s My Choice: Mineral Or Chemical?
I use mineral sunscreen ingredients for my lip balm with SPF, and that goes for my face and body sunscreen too! I’ve rounded up 9 brands of lip balm with mineral SPF below that are free from parabens, phthalates and ingredients that may be harmful to your health. Check out my top picks for mineral SPF lip balm below!
Thinksport Thinker Lip Balm SPF18
- Cost: $3.29 for 0.15 oz
- EWG Rating: 1
- Active Ingredient: 10.5% non-nano zinc oxide
- From the Go Think website: Thinksport was the first Sunscreen to pass Whole Foods Premium Care Requirements. Free of biologically harmful chemicals. No Avobenzone, Oxybenzone, or UV Chemical absorbers. SPF 18 (non-nano zinc oxide). Paraben, phthalates, PABA and 1,4 dioxane free. Contains certified organic ingredients. Applies and absorbs easily. Non-oily feel. Lip balm produced in the USA. Easy-to-apply stick. A member of the Safe Cosmetics Campaign Compact. Foundering member Sun Safety Coalition. No animal testing (Leaping Bunny member).
- Cost: $3.50 for 0.15 oz
- EWG Rating: n/a
- Active Ingredient: 3.5% non-nano zinc oxide
- From the All Good website: Is it too much to ask for sunscreen lip balm without weird chemical tastes or waxy white films? We say no. All Good Lip Balm with SPF is crafted with plant-based suncare ingredients that blend in with your skin, glide on easily, and hydrate your lips without having to reapply again and again (and again). With a hint of spearmint to impress your dentist. Protection from HEV (blue light) from video calls and screens, Broad Spectrum SPF 15, Vegetarian, cruelty-free, paraben free, oxybenzone free, Healing protection made from plants Water-resistant, reef safe lip balm.
- My Take: This lip balm goes on smoothly and has a pleasing mint taste.
Salt & Stone Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF30
- Cost: $7.00 for 0.15 oz
- EWG Rating: n/a
- Active Ingredient: 8% non-nano zinc oxide
- From the Salt & Stone website: An all natural, hydrating sunscreen lip balm that leaves lips feeling soft and protected. Non-Nano Zinc Oxide provides broad spectrum protection that applies easily, leaving no visible white residue.
- My Take: This lip balm goes on smoothly and has no taste- it kept my lips well-hydrated.
Badger Clear Zinc Lip Balm SPF15
- Cost: $3.99 for 0.15 oz
- EWG Rating: 1
- Active Ingredient: 8% uncoated clear non-nano zinc oxide
- From the Badger website: Unscented, moisturizing & water-resistant. 97% organic base ingredients and Clear Zinc Oxide which rubs in clear! No added fragrance. Moisturizing base of organic beeswax, shea and cocoa butter, and extra virgin olive oil. Reef friendly and biodegradable, no oxybenzone and no octinoxate. Certified cruelty-free, gluten-free, and Non-GMO. Keep your lips happy and protected with our year-round, reef safe SPF 15 Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm. Lightweight unscented protection from the sun, wind, and cold with uncoated clear zinc oxide. It’s perfect before, during and after a day in the sun. Badger’s clear zinc oxide sunscreens are less whitening on the skin and just as safe and effective as standard non-nano zinc oxide mineral sunscreens.
Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF30
- Cost: $3.99 for 0.15 oz
- EWG Rating: 1
- Active Ingredient: 8% non-nano zinc oxide
- From the Sun Bum website: Some of us like to go as au naturel as possible, so we’re really proud to introduce our new zinc-based Mineral collection for your lounging and earth loving pleasure. Broad spectrum, zinc based Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 30 is made of safe minerals to protect from UVA/UVB rays and moisturize lips. With soothing shea butter and vitamin e, provides excellent physical protection from the sun, wind and cold.
- My Take: This lip balm goes on clear and smooth and has a coconutty flavor. The taste is slightly artificial and bitter, but the lip balm hydrates well.
EleVen by Venus Williams Perfect Form Lip Balm SPF15
- Cost: $19.00 for 0.34 fl oz
- EWG Rating: 1
- Active Ingredient: 20% non-nano zinc oxide
- From the Eleven website: A breakthrough balm that introduces silky hydration and serious sun protection. A first-of-its-kind lip sunscreen in the Credo Beauty assortment, this innovative mineral-based formula rivals cult-classics in the conventional space. The formula features moisturizing Shea Butter, soothing and softening Bayberry Fruit Wax and 100% mineral UVA/UVB protection. Vegan, Cruelty Free, Alcohol Free, Gluten Free.
- My Take: This lip balm was specifically designed for use with outdoor sports. It has the highest percentage of zinc oxide, and does go on with a slight white cast. If you’re going to be in the sun for long periods of time, I would choose this one.
Solara Suncare Lip Serum SPF15
- Cost: $16 for 0.35 fl oz
- EWG Rating: 2
- Active Ingredient: 11% non-nano uncoated zinc oxide
- From the Solara Suncare website: Protect your pout with this ultra-light, non-sticky SPF 15 lip serum. Formulated with zinc oxide and natural hydrators, it shields lips from the sun and other environmental stressors, leaving a subtle sheen that can be worn alone or over lip color.
W3LL People Nudist Lip Butter SPF15
- Cost: $13.99 for 1 stick
- EWG Rating: 2
- Active Ingredient: 5% zinc oxide
- From the W3LL People website: Get bold, boosted lips and a major dose of hydration with our Nudist Lip Butter. The vegan love child of a lipstick and a lip balm, this game-changing hybrid is rich in organic omega oils and aloe leaving stressed lips hydrated, soothed, supple, and nourished. Formulated with SPF 15 broad spectrum protection, this lip-loving butter makes sure your pout stays protected from the sun. Great For: A pout that craves a lip balm but loves a pop of color. Dry lips in need of hydration. Lips that could use a little volume. Vegan | Cruelty-Free | Non-Toxic | Sustainably-Made. Made With: Jojoba Oil Organic Aloe Leaf Extract Red Raspberry Seed Oil.
