Protect your lips from the sun (in winter too)
In short: we put cream on our face and forget our lips, but the sun punishes them all year round. They have very little natural defence, so they burn and dry out easily, and sun accumulated over a lifetime is a risk factor. The fix is simple: lip balm with SPF daily and watch any lesion that won’t heal.
Why are they so vulnerable?
Because the lip has very thin skin and very little melanin (the pigment that protects us from the sun). In other words, it has almost no shield. That’s why it burns and dries out before the rest of the face, and why the sun it gets over the years matters, especially the lower lip, which faces more upwards.
How to protect them
- Lip balm with SPF, not just moisturising. It should state a protection factor.
- Apply it several times a day, especially outdoors.
- Careful with snow and water: they reflect the sun and burn twice as much (skiing, beach, boat).
- A hat or cap with a peak also helps.
- Do it all year round, not just in summer: winter sun counts too.
The link with lip health
Protecting from the sun isn’t just about avoiding dryness: accumulated sun is one of the factors in actinic cheilitis (sun-related ageing of the lip) and, in the long run, more serious lesions. Caring for it daily is simple, effective prevention. (Here’s more on the health of your lips.)
When is it worth checking?
If an area of the lip persistently flakes, cracks or changes colour, or a sore doesn’t heal in 2-3 weeks, have a dentist or your doctor look, especially on the lower lip. It’s almost always nothing, but that rule is always respected.
Got a dry, flaky lip or an area that won’t quite heal? Come in and we’ll take a quick look. The first visit is free: book an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to protect your lips from the sun?
Yes. Lips have very little melanin and very thin skin, so they burn and dry out easily. Sun accumulated over the years, especially on the lower lip, is a risk factor for lesions, which is why it's worth protecting them all year round.
Will any lip balm do?
Better one with a sun protection factor (SPF). It moisturises and also blocks the rays. Apply it several times a day, especially if you're outdoors, doing sport or going to the snow or the beach. Snow and water reflect the sun and burn more.
What lip signs should I watch?
An area of the lip that persistently flakes, cracks or changes colour, or a sore that doesn't heal in 2-3 weeks, is worth having a dentist or your doctor look at, especially on the lower lip. Most are nothing, but that 'weeks' rule should be respected.
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