Derm DMs: What Can I Do About Sunburned Lips?

A typical summer day is spent slathering ourselves in sunscreen — that includes our faces, bodies and an SPF formula for our lips. But obviously, we’re not perfect and things go wrong. Sometimes we’ll get a random, weird round-shaped burn on that part of our leg we missed, or maybe our lips will end up burned and itchy because we didn’t apply as much protective lip balm as we should have. Both are high up on our list of annoying summer grievances, but the latter is one we find extra frustrating, especially when it comes time to apply our favorite lipstick. We shot out a quick DM to Skincare.com consulting dermatologist Rita Linkner, MD, of Spring Street Dermatology to find out how to address sunburned lips at home.

“I recommend treating sunburned lips at home with Aquaphor because this lanolin-based petrolatum product does wonders for dry sun-chapped lips and works fast,” says Dr. Linkner. “You also want to avoid anything that has irritant ingredients in it, like menthol or cinnamon, commonly found in lip plumpers as this will only worsen the inflammation.”

To prevent your lips from burning in the first place, use a lip product with SPF in it and don’t forget to reapply throughout the day, especially if you are outdoors. “EltaMD makes a great lip balm that is an SPF 31, which I love to recommend to my patients to protect their lips from sunburn,” Dr. Linkner adds. Our Skincare.com editors also love the Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 30 and the Maybelline New York Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm Quenched SPF 20.

 

Read More:

How to Soothe a Sunburn at Home

Your Summer Beach Day Skin-Care Guide

How to Exfoliate Your Legs for Smooth Skin This Season