The 3 SPF Lip Products I Swear By as a Health Professional Living in Southern California

I was introduced to the Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick during my first New York City winter, and now I’m a super-fan for life. I carried the obsession with me back to California, only with the sunscreen version.

Unlike some of the other products on the list, this one has a solid stick formula. So it has no goopy textures, it’s not tinted, and it applies in a clean, thin layer that absorbs into skin nicely with very little sheen. The jojoba and shea butter in it help keep lips moisturized, while the SPF 30 provides the reliable sun protection I’m after.

I keep this in my purse 24/7, and it’s never melted on me. Plus, the solid formula makes it a bit more travel-friendly, too. I love this for no-makeup days as well as for more-sporty outings like heading to the beach, going for a walk, or swimming laps at the pool. It’s also more universally functional across adults and children, since it goes on clean and colorless. I’m also a big fan of the unscented formula and the affordable price tag. 

I’m not much of a makeup gal most days. Typically my routine involves just applying a tinted SPF for my face and a little mascara. While a rich lip color would feel out of place, I do love a clear or tinted glossy balm at times. For that, I reach for the Sun Bum Clear SPF 30 Moisturizing Lip Balm.

I’ve been a fan of Sun Bum lip products for many years (RIP Key Lime Lip Balm), but the squeezable Moisturizing Lip Balm products are fabulous. They feel like a more-modern take on sunscreen for your lips that you can still wear every day. The texture is on the thicker side, but it’s not overly sticky, and it does feel moisturizing.

I love that Sun Bum makes a clear version (which is my go-to), and the brand also has some sheer, tinted options. Of course, they all have the signature Sun Bum coconut scent. I break these out for workdays at my desk, hitting the farmer’s market, running errands, or whenever I’m out and about.

For occasions when I want more of a makeup-like look and a lip balm doesn’t quite fit the bill, I go for Sheen Screen from Ultra Violette. The texture is silky smooth and feels lightweight yet substantial. And while the colors aren’t super-bold, they give a richer look than the other SPF lip products I use.

I tend to save Sheen Screen for special occasions due to the price tag, but it’s a gorgeous texture. I use it for dinner dates when it’s still sunny in the evenings, or for daytime events like outdoor concerts.

Notably, this is the highest SPF among the products I use. I have no idea how the brand manages it without the product smelling or tasting like SPF, but I’m always happy with the protection factor. For my complexion, I like the color dusk. While a clear option isn’t available, are a variety of shades are. These are juicy, sheer, and comfortable to wear, and you’d never know they had sunscreen in them.