If I had a magic wand, I’d put SPF into every lip product. Your pout sun needs protection, too, ya know?
But I don’t. So I’ll do the next best thing: hunt down for a good lip balm with SPF. It must provide broad spectrum protection, be fairly moisturising, and easy to apply on the go.
Picky? Maybe, but then our lips deserve the best, don’t they? And the best I’ve found so far is Coola Liplux SPF 30 Original Formula:
What’s In Coola Liplux SPF 30 Original Formula?
AVOBENZONE, OCTINOXATE, OTISALATE & OCTOCRYLENE TO PROTECT FROM UV HARM
Yep, this lip balm uses synthetic UV filters. But hey, they work.
Avobenzone, Octisalate and Octocrylene all absorb UV rays and transform them into a less damaging form of energy (heat). But overtime, sunlight deactivates them. That’s why you need to reapply sunscreen – or your lip balm, in this case – every two hours or so.
Avobenzone, the UVA filter, gets deactivated way sooner than other UV filters. Enter Octocrylene. Not only it protects you from UVB rays (like Octisalate and Octinoxate), it also stabilises Avobenzone so it lasts longer.
Octocrylene has one more trick up its sleeve. It makes the lip balm water-resistant, too.
Just a warning: if you have sensitive skin, synthetic UV filters may cause irritations and allergies.
Related: What Does Octocrylene Do In Sunscreens?
SHEA BUTTER TO MOISTURISE SKIN
So now you know what gives the lip balm its SPF rating. But what about moisture?
That’s a job for Shea butter. Shea butter is rich in moisturising fatty acids, including oleic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and linolenic acid that make your lips soft and smooth. Plus, it has its fair share of antioxidants, too.
While we’re on the subject, Shea butter gets a helping hand from a bunch of natural oils, like coconut and sunflower. They do double duty, too: moisturise and fight off premature wrinkles.
Related: Why Shea Butter Is The Best Moisturiser For Dry Skin
Is your sunscreen (or lip balm with SPF) up to the job? Download your free “Sunscreen Audit” cheatsheet to find out if your SPF products are both effective and safe:
Texture
The formula is lightweight and only a teeny tiny bit sticky. It goes on clear and is a little shiny.
Fragrance
A little waxy.
How To Use It
Apply it every time your lips need some extra moisture. If you’re outside, reapply every two hours.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Ok, Coola Liplux SPF 30 Original Formula isn’t the most moisturising lip balm I’ve ever tried. I’ve noticed that stick lip balms are less moisturising than gels or creams that come in pots and tubes.
If you have dry, chapped lips, this may be a concern. But, if like me, your lips are in good condition and you just need a little bit of extra moisture to keep them that way, this does the job fine.
More importantly, the formula isn’t drying. Not even when you reapply it frequently. And you need to reapply it frequently. Because even if your lips don’t need the extra moisture, they sure need the extra sun protection.
Cos what’s the point of wearing a sassy red lip if you don’t shield it from the sun? 😉
Who Is This For?
If your lips are in good condition and you’re looking for a lip balm with SPF, this is a good pick for you.
Who Is This NOT For?
- Dry, chapped lips
- Sensitive skin
Packaging
A blue tube. Pretty and practical.
Does Coola Liplux SPF 30 Original Formula Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Our organic lip balm with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection hydrates and smoothes dry, chapped lips. | I don’t recommend it for chapped lips, but it does provide broad-spectrum UV protection, hydrates, and soothes. |
| Water-resistant balm instantly moisturizes and protects leaving lips kissably soft. | True. |
Price & Availability
$10.00/£12.00 at Revolve
Do You Need It?
If you’re looking for a lip balm with SPF, this is a good option for most people.
Dupes & Alternatives
Ingredients
Active ingredients: Avobenzone – 3%, Octinoxate – 7.25%, Octisalate – 5%, Octocrylene – 7.25%.
Inactive ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Beeswax (ORGANIC), Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii (ORGANIC Shea) Butter, Cocos Nucifera (ORGANIC Coconut) Oil, Copernicia Cerifera (ORGANIC Carnauba) Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Flavor, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (ORGANIC Sunflower) Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Octyldodecanol, Persea Gratissima (ORGANIC Avocado) Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract (ORGANIC), Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (ORGANIC Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol
