The Best Lip Balms with SPF of 2026, According to Derms
You probably already know the importance of applying sunscreen daily to protect your skin. But many people overlook how important it is to protect their lips, too. In addition to skin cancer, exposure to harmful rays can cause a precancerous condition called actinic cheilitis, colloquially known as “sailor’s lip,” that causes rough, scaly patches, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Eileen Deignan. Chronic sun exposure can also damage the skin barrier around the lips and make your lips look aged and discolored, she says. Given these potential risks, experts I spoke to recommend using an SPF lip balm daily. To help guide you on your search, I spoke to dermatologists about how to shop for one and rounded up options that NBC Select editors use and love. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. The best SPF lip balms of 2026 Best overall Type: mineral | SPF: 30 | Active ingredient: zinc oxide | Water-resistant: no | Applicator: stick Sun Bum’s mineral lip balm is made with zinc oxide, an ingredient that physically …
