Can Your Lips Get Sunburned?

Whether visiting the beach or enjoying an afternoon in the park, soaking up the sun's warm embrace is undeniably enticing—so long as you’ve applied a layer of SPF. However, diligently applying different types of sunscreen on your face is just the first step. You may be leaving a few vulnerable spots exposed, in particular, your lips.

Lips are often considered a separate entity, but they’re actually skin. And like all skin, the delicate skin on your lips can get sunburned, potentially leading to long-term damage. Luckily, you can preserve your smile with a few extra precautionary steps. 

To protect your lips, we'll explore why lips can get sunburned, top symptoms to monitor, effective treatment methods, and crucial sun protection measures.

Why Do Lips Get Sunburned?

The lips are a beautiful combination of beauty and function, playing a crucial role in every person’s life. Yet, when it comes to sun protection, they're often left exposed and defenseless against the sun's sneaky attack. 

Rather than asking can your lips get sunburned, it’s more important to ask why do they experience sun damage in the first place? Lips are one of the most vulnerable parts of the body, particularly in the face of the sun. Underneath the sun’s rays, lips may suffer more damage by having:

• Low melanin – Unlike the rest of the body’s skin, the lips lack a vital element of sun defense: melanin. This pigment colors the skin and acts as a natural sun shield, absorbing and dissipating harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, lips contain far fewer melanocytes, the cells responsible for melanin production, leaving them with minimal protection against the sun's potent rays [1].
• Thin skin – Not only is the amount of melanin lower in our lips, but the skin covering them is very thin and delicate. Like a layer of cellophane, this thin skin layer makes it easier for harmful UV rays to penetrate the surface and wreak damage on the underlying skin cells [2].
• Moisture – While the saliva in your mouth is necessary, it can also get in the way of any lip sun protection. Natural licking of the lips may wipe away sun protection, leaving your lips defenseless.

So, what happens when your unprotected lips face the sun? UV rays have two types of wavelengths: UVA and UVB. While UVB rays penetrate the skin more superficially and cause severe sunburn, UVA penetrates to the deep layers of skin and can lead to skin damage over time [3]. While this penetration may show up as redness on the skin, your lips may react in different ways (more on that below).

Symptoms of Sunburned Skin 

After a day lounging or being active outdoors, you may feel like your skin got off scot-free. That is, until a tingling sensation starts to creep in around your mouth. Oh no—did my lips get sunburned? 

Sunburn can be tricky to detect, especially around the lips. While symptoms may not always be immediately apparent, time will soon reveal any superficial damage to the skin. Typically, the visible signs of sunburn take two hours to appear, with symptoms peaking within two to three days [4].

Unlike your cheeks or shoulders, the lips have their own set of sunburn symptoms. You may experience any of these signs after sunburning your lips [5]: 

• Redness and discoloration
• Swelling and puffiness 
• Sensitivity and tenderness
• Dryness and flaking
• Blisters
• Itching
• Pain with movement or touch

A specific sign to look out for? A sudden cold sore outbreak. While a severe sunburn can’t cause the herpes simplex virus that creates cold sores, it can trigger a fresh outbreak in those who have the virus [6].

How To Heal Sunburned Lips

Despite best efforts, sunburn occasionally happens. If you find that your lips are the victim of a sunny afternoon, then it’s time to grab a soothing solution.

At the end of the day, a sunburn is a burn. That means your skin needs the proper care and time to heal and replenish itself. Once you notice the first signs of sunburn on your lips, try these methods to soothe your skin [7]

• Seek shade – The first step in healing sunburned lips? Avoiding further sun exposure. If you notice any symptom, such as blisters from sunburn, while outside, seek shade immediately to protect your lips from additional UV radiation. Try to avoid unprotected sun exposure for at least a few days.
• Cool your skin – Sunburns are the result of increased heat from sun rays. To soothe the burning sensation, apply a cool, damp cloth. This will lower the temperature of your sunburned lips and provide relief.
• Hydrate and moisturize – Sunburned lips often become dry and dehydrated. By replenishing their moisture both internally and externally, you can help your lips heal. Start by drinking water to stay hydrated throughout the day. Then, apply a soothing lip balm with natural emollients like shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax to lock in hydration. 
• Apply aloe vera – Aloe vera is a time-old method for sunburns. This natural substance contains aloin, which reduces inflammation in the skin [8]. Apply face-friendly aloe vera gel to sunburned lips for relief.
• Avoid irritating products – While your lips are on the mend, stay away from lip gloss and other products that contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, or exfoliants. These can irritate the already sensitive skin and prolong the healing process.
• Don't peel or pick – It may be so, so tempting, but let your lips be. Peeling or picking at sunburned lips will prolong the healing process and may even lead to infection.
• Take pain relievers – If your sunburned lips are causing significant discomfort, a  non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug can relieve the pain. These medications reduce inflammation, which can bring down burning, itching, or swelling. 

How To Prevent Sunburned Lips

In the case of skincare, the best offense is a good defense. Protecting your lips against the sun will prevent damage and discomfort before it even begins. But where to start?

Fortunately, sun protection doesn't have to be complicated. By incorporating these simple yet effective strategies into your skincare routine, you can give your lips a helpful shield against the sun's harmful rays:

• Apply SPF – Your first line of defense against lip sunburn is a high-quality lip balm with SPF, or Sun Protection Factor. Knowing what SPF to use is important as well. Look for lip balms with an SPF of 30 or higher and apply at least 15 minutes before stepping out into the sun. It is important to always remember to reapply sunblock every two hours, or more frequently if you've been swimming or sweating.
• Create a physical barrier – If outdoors for a long time, consider adding an extra layer of protection with a physical barrier. Wide-brimmed hats and shady spots will block sun rays from touching your lips. 
• Avoid peak sun hours – The sun's rays are at their strongest between 10 am and 4 pm, exposing skin to more UV light than in the early morning or nighttime. If possible, try to seek shade during these peak hours to reduce your overall sun exposure. 

Protect Your Skin With PROVEN

Sun protection is an essential step in every skincare regimen—for all areas of your skin. Whether you’re a skincare beginner or a pro, your lips deserve sun protection and gentle care. Luckily, you don’t need a complicated routine to bring your skin to its healthiest place.

If you're seeking a simple approach to skincare, you’re in the right place. At PROVEN, we create tailored routines to address your specific concerns through the power of natural ingredients (no harsh chemicals needed). All you need is a facial cleanser, a day moisturizer with SPF, and a night cream—and your skin is set for comfort and radiance.

Find your personal three-step regimen today by taking our skincare quiz.