Most people know how important it is to protect their skin from the sun. But lips can sometimes get forgotten about. Can your lips get sunburned? Unfortunately, yes, they can.
Sunburned lips are more common than you might think. They’re frequently exposed to the sun, plus they’re even more sensitive to sun damage due to their thin, delicate skin. Overexposure can lead to redness, blistering, and eventual peeling.
Thankfully, there are many easy ways to protect your lips from sun damage. Discover how to relieve sunburned lips and the best ways to protect your lips from the sun below.
Why Lips Burn Faster in the Sun
There are a few simple reasons lips burn faster in the sun. The skin here is more delicate and often has less of the protective pigment melanin1 than other areas of your skin. Also, if you forget to apply SPF to your lips, they’re naturally at a higher risk of sun damage than the rest of your face and body.
The sun's rays are made up of ultraviolet (UV) light, and the main types of UV that cause damage are UVA and UVB. Sensitive lip skin can become easily burned by UVA/UVB radiation. And, with more nerve endings in your lips2, sunburned lips can be painful for days after your time out in the sun. When the UV index is high, it’s particularly important to protect your lips as well as the rest of your skin.
Your lips are exposed to the sun whenever you’re outside on a clear day, making it important to limit UV exposure whenever possible. Between two and five hours after sun exposure, your lips will begin to show signs of sun damage. You may notice they start looking red or start feeling irritated or dry. If you experience any heat radiating from your lips, that may be indicative of a mild sunburn.
With long sun exposure and no SPF, you may experience more severe sunburn symptoms like blisters, sensitivity, and pain. Like the rest of the skin on your body, a few days after a sunburn, your skin will begin to peel. It may be unsettling, but it is actually a sign that your sunburned skin is beginning to heal.
How to Relieve Sunburned Lips
If your lips are sunburned, here’s how to get relief fast.
- Use a cool compress: A compress can help alleviate swelling and heat. Opt for cool instead of ice cold, as ice can be shocking on your overheated skin.
- Use hydrating SPF lip balm: COOLA Tinted Liplux® can help keep your lips hydrated while the SPF protects them from further sun damage. Plus, the tint helps you add a little color to match your sun-kissed glow.
- Skip salty and spicy foods: Not only will these make you feel hydrated, but they can even irritate the sensitive skin of your lips.
Expect to wait three to five days for your lips to fully heal, unless the damage is more severe. See a doctor if you don’t notice improvements within this time period.
How to Heal Sunburn Lips & Prevent Further Damage
Healing sunburned lips starts with soothing them now and protecting them from the next exposure. Drink plenty of water and consider natural, hydrating relief for your damaged skin. Aloe vera gel is suitable for most people, and you can chill it for extra relief.
Studies have shown aloe vera to be effective in healing mild burns3 due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. On the other hand, steer clear of any lip products containing petroleum or petrolatum4, as these could aggravate your sunburn.
Ensure you’re protecting your lips every time you go outside. Any additional sun exposure can aggravate the existing sunburn and add to the damage. Coola Liplux® Original provides SPF 30 protection, is easy to apply, and includes skin-nourishing ingredients like Jojoba seed oil. Reapply your lip SPF every two hours when outdoors to ensure continuous protection.
Can You Put Sunscreen on Your Lips?
Yes, but always use sunscreen made for your lips. Using SPF designed specifically for lips is important because the skin on your lips is thinner and requires more moisturization and protection.
SPF lip treatments are also designed to taste better, as everyday skin and face sunscreen isn’t all that pleasant if it gets in your mouth. COOLA's lip and sun protection products are flavored with 100% natural ingredients and feature organic Cupuacu Butter for nourishing hydration. This skin-forward ingredient is rich in fatty acids, which give it rich, moisturizing properties.
Lip-specific sun protection also has a more suitable texture and format for your lips. You don’t want a thick emulsion that never sinks into your skin. Similarly, sprays are difficult to use when targeting only your lips. Stick with oils and balms designed for the soft, sensitive skin on your lips.
What is the Best Sunscreen for Lips?
The best sunscreen for lips is SPF 30 or higher, water-resistant, and designed for daily wear. Look out for ingredients that actively nourish the skin, such as raspberry seed oil, naturally high in antioxidants5 for added skin protection.
Ideally, your lip SPF products should also be water-resistant. Remember, if you’re sweating or swimming, apply SPF more frequently, even on your lips.
You can also opt for tinted lip products with mineral SPF. Check out COOLA's tinted mineral spf lip balms in 4 fun shades—Firecracker, Summer Crush, Nude Beach, and Skinny Dip. Each SPF lip balm adds a hint of natural-looking color while protecting your lips and keeping them healthy, plump, and youthful-looking.
Looking for something glossy instead? Protect your lips with a hydrating sunscreen lip oil with SPF 30. Combining the benefits of a nourishing lip oil with a high-shine, glossy finish, this universally flattering formula is infused with Camellia and Jojoba Oils, Vitamin E, and a hint of golden hue. The result? Plump, hydrated lips with SPF 30 sun protection.
Can lips get sunburned? Yes, but now you know how to protect them and prevent painful lip sunburn from happening. Knowing how to heal sunburned lips is useful, but prevention, as they say, is better than cure.
Reapplying sunscreen throughout the day is crucial, from layering SPF with other skincare products like moisturizer in the morning to refreshing your skin with a broad-spectrum SPF mist in the afternoon. Whether you're in need of a hydrating lip SPF, organic face sunscreen, or anything in between, find high-quality suncare products from COOLA.
FAQs About Sunburned Lips
Can you get sunburned lips in winter?
Yes, you can get sunburned lips in winter. In snowy areas, UV rays reflect off snow and increase exposure. In non-snowy climates, UV levels can still be high due to altitude, direct sun, and thin cloud cover. Wearing an SPF 30 or higher lip balm year-round helps prevent sun damage and chapping in cold, dry air.
How long do sunburned lips take to heal?
Most mild sunburned lips heal within three to five days with proper care, such as using a hydrating SPF lip balm and avoiding irritants. If your lips become blistered or pain lasts beyond five days, consult a medical professional for guidance.
Is petroleum jelly good for lips?
Petroleum jelly can help lock in moisture on dry lips, but it does not offer any SPF protection. For sunburned lips, use a product with SPF and soothing ingredients like aloe vera or Cupuaçu butter to protect and aid healing while staying hydrated.
What SPF should you use for lips?
For effective sun protection, choose an SPF lip balm rated SPF 30 or higher and apply it daily, even in winter or cloudy weather. Look for formulas with hydrating ingredients and natural flavors to keep lips healthy and protected from UV damage.
Sources:
- Vaishnavi Patil. Science ABC; Why Are Lips Different From Other Skin Areas? 19 October 2023. https://www.scienceabc.com/humans/why-are-lips-different-from-skin-areas.html
- Source 1 (same as above)
- R Maenthaisong, N Chaiyakunapruk, S Niruntraporn, and C Kongkaew. The efficacy of aloe vera used for burn wound healing: a systematic review. Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-assessed Reviews [Internet]. NIH, 2007. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK74820/
- Elika Hoss, MD. Medline plus; Medical Encyclopedia; Sunburn. June 2023. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003227.htm
- Audronė Ispiryan, Jonas Viškelis, and Pranas Viškelis. Plants MDPI: Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) Seed Oil: A Review. NIH, May 2021. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8151122/
