A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand.

A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand.

      As someone who is genuinely obsessed with lipstick, I’m often surprised when I leave the house without my favorite matte red or a glossy shine. One of the few times I skip it is when I go to the gym. While it makes sense to go without lip color while focusing on my workouts (unless I'm aiming for glam while lifting, which I totally would), there’s one essential item I never forget: SPF. “Most people remember their sunscreen but neglect their lips, which is a major oversight,” explains Shereen Teymour, MD, a board-certified dermatologist from NYC. “The skin on your lips is thinner, more sensitive, and lacks melanin, making it particularly susceptible to UV damage.” It turns out that not using SPF on your lips isn't just about facing dryness or a flaky look. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can lead to actinic cheilitis—a type of sun damage predominantly found on the lower lip. “It begins subtly with chronic dryness, scaling, and discoloration, but can eventually progress to precancerous conditions and even squamous cell carcinoma,” she warns. Besides these significant health risks, UV exposure can also cause fine lines, volume reduction, and hyperpigmentation. (I have a small dark spot on my lower lip, so I'm booking an appointment with a dermatologist right away.) Currently, my go-to for lip protection is the BeautyStat C Lip Serum SPF 30 (in Neutral Peach). It combines skincare, sunscreen, and a light lip tint all in one sleek package. The formula is enriched with stable vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid), peptides, and glucosamine, providing hydration, brightening, and plumping effects while offering protection.

      Even with my new favorite lip serum, I was curious if my regular lipsticks provide any sun protection. As it turns out, they do offer some, but not fully. “Opaque, pigmented lipsticks can physically block certain UV rays, especially darker or matte formulas,” notes Teymour. “You can think of them as a physical barrier, similar to clothing for your lips. However, they shouldn’t replace actual SPF. They provide some help, but they aren't designed for broad-spectrum protection unless explicitly stated.” As for lip gloss, there’s some concerning news! Your beloved clear or shiny gloss might actually act like a mini magnifying glass, amplifying UV rays and increasing damage. “It’s like applying baby oil on your lips,” Teymour clarifies. “If you enjoy gloss, apply it over an SPF lip balm to achieve both shine and protection.” To find the best SPF lip balms, she suggests looking for water-resistant, broad-spectrum options with SPF 30 or higher for daily use and reapplying every two hours, particularly if you're eating or drinking. “In reality, if you’ve been in the sun for hours without reapplying since the morning, your lips are essentially unprotected,” Teymour emphasizes. “Keep a travel-sized SPF balm in your bag or pocket. It's a simple step that makes a significant difference.”

      Other SPF Favorites to Try This Summer and Beyond:

      **Ultra Violette Sheen Screen SPF 50 Hydrating Sunscreen Lip Balm:** This broad-spectrum SPF 50 helps prevent fine lines and pigmentation while moisturizing your lips with lanolin, cocoa butter, and vitamin E. It ensures your lips are soft, smooth, and protected.

      **Vacation Chardonnay SPF 30 Lip Oil:** Here’s a fun way to achieve glossy lips while getting SPF: Vacation’s Chardonnay SPF 30 Lip Oil is juicy, shiny, nonsticky, and has a delightful beachy scent. Use it alone, over your favorite lip color, or even as an overnight treatment.

      **Hello Sunday The Mineral Lip One SPF 45 Nourishing Lip Tint:** This mineral lip balm from Hello Sunday smells like strawberries, applies smoothly, and offers SPF 50 protection. It provides a sheer, buildable tint while hydrating your lips with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and shea butter.

      **Iris&Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50 Instant Glow Tinted Mineral Sunscreen With Vitamin C + Niacinamide:** This tinted sunscreen features time-release vitamin C for brightness, niacinamide for smoothing tone, and non-nano zinc oxide for reef-friendly protection. It combines minimalist makeup with maximum sun care in one application!

      **Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50:** I've been reaching for this SPF moisturizer from Naturium nearly every day, as it perfectly blends sun protection with a skin-loving glow. It provides a dewy finish and is enriched with niacinamide and vitamin C for a brighter, more even complexion over time.

      **RANAVAT Radiant Rani Daily Brightening Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50+ With Saffron:** This luxurious mineral sunscreen offers robust protection and skin-enhancing properties, thanks to saffron for brightening, squalane for hydration, and an adapt

A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand. A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand. A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand. A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand. A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand. A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand. A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand. A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand. A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand. A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand. A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand. A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand.

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A dermatologist informed me that my favorite lip glosses were *drawing* in sun damage—here's what you need to understand.

Additionally, all of my favorite beauty products infused with SPF.