My Go-To SPF Lip Balm for NYC Winters and Beach Days Alik

In my NYC clinic, we talk a lot about SPF—but lips are almost always left out of the conversation. I’ve seen it happen: clients come in with peeling, dry, irritated lips that just won’t heal. And more often than not, it’s sun damage.

Your lips don’t have melanin to protect them from UV rays, which means they’re even more vulnerable to sunburn, dehydration, and long-term damage like fine lines and hyperpigmentation.

That’s why I recommend EltaMD UV Lip Balm SPF 36 to every client—especially if they’re already investing in anti-aging or brightening treatments for the face.

Why SPF for Lips Is So Important

Think of how often your lips are exposed: walking outside, driving, skiing, hiking, or just running errands. UV rays are there even when it’s cloudy, and your lips absorb the brunt of it.

Wearing a lip balm with SPF isn’t just about avoiding a sunburn—it’s about protecting against long-term damage like:

Lip thinning and loss of definition
Fine lines around the mouth
Uneven color or hyperpigmentation
Delayed healing from cold sores or chronic dryness

Key Ingredients That Do the Work

Zinc Oxide (7.0%)
Provides physical protection from UVA and UVB rays. It sits on the surface of the lips and reflects harmful rays without irritating sensitive skin.

Octinoxate (7.5%)
Offers additional UVB protection to help prevent sunburn and superficial damage.

Petrolatum + Castor Seed Oil + Olive Oil
These emollients deeply hydrate, soften, and help restore the lip barrier—perfect for chapped, windburned, or post-treatment lips.

Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Candelilla Wax
A combination of natural waxes that seal in moisture and keep the balm from melting off too quickly.

Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Quercetin, and Thioctic Acid (Alpha Lipoic Acid)
Antioxidants that fight free radical damage and support healing—great if your lips are already inflamed or sensitive.

My Application Tips from the Clinic

To make sure clients get the most out of EltaMD UV Lip Balm SPF 36, here’s what I recommend:

Apply generously in the morning, even on cloudy days.
Reapply every 2 hours if you’re outside, and especially after eating, drinking, or wiping your lips.
Use it after in-office treatments like lasers or microneedling near the mouth, when the skin is healing and more vulnerable.
Layer it before lipstick to protect your lips and prevent color from settling into fine lines.

Why I Keep It Stocked in My Clinic

This is the lip balm I hand out after treatments and carry in my own bag year-round. Clients who struggle with constantly dry lips or pigmentation around the mouth always notice a difference once they start using it daily.

EltaMD UV Lip Balm SPF 36 is fragrance-free, deeply hydrating, and gentle enough for anyone dealing with sensitivity or medical-grade skincare routines.

Final Thoughts

Don’t skip the lips when you think about sun protection. They’re delicate, prone to damage, and often overlooked in even the most diligent routines.

If you’ve been dealing with dryness, pigment changes, or slow healing around your mouth, this might be the fix you didn’t realize you needed.

Book a virtual or in-person consultation to build a full routine that supports your skin head-to-toe—lips included.l