Can I use sunscreen around my mouth?

How do I protect the skin around my lips?

Choose facial sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum protection and water resistance. Broad spectrum means protection against both UVA and UVB, the two types of ultraviolet radiation that reach your skin. A high SPF number does not replace broad spectrum protection, even if the number gets the starring role on the bottle. These are general sunscreen directions, not a separate routine invented for the mouth area.23

1. 1Apply sunscreen before going outdoors, allowing 15 minutes before sun exposure. Daily use is advised when the forecast UV index reaches 3 or higher.
2. 2Cover the exposed facial skin, including the skin surrounding your lips, while avoiding your eyes and mouth. Follow the product's directions for application; do not spray sunscreen directly onto your face.
3. 3Apply broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher lip balm to your lips before going outdoors.
4. 4Reapply facial sunscreen at least every two hours outdoors, and more often when swimming or sweating. Reapply SPF lip balm every two hours outdoors.

Use shade and a broad brimmed hat alongside sunscreen. Water resistant sunscreen still washes off: check whether its label gives 40 or 80 minutes of protection while swimming or sweating, and follow its reapplication directions.1

Why does sunscreen sting around my mouth?

Burning or stinging on the lips means a product is irritating them, not that it is working harder. Stop using a lip product that causes discomfort. If sunscreen stings the surrounding skin, choose a fragrance free formula whose sunscreen filters are only zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both. For sensitive skin, look for a sensitive skin label and avoid fragrance, parabens and oxybenzone.24

A red, dry, scaly or cracked lip border can also be contact cheilitis, meaning lip inflammation caused by contact with an irritating substance or allergen. Sunscreens, other lip cosmetics and toothpaste are possible allergy sources. Itching, burning and pain can accompany the changes. Persistent or recurring symptoms deserve an assessment rather than repeated product swaps. A dermatologist can use patch testing, including your own products, to identify a contact allergy; avoiding the responsible allergen usually lets the reaction settle quickly.5

Does lip balm with SPF protect around the mouth?

Use SPF lip balm for your lips and facial sunscreen for the surrounding skin; SPF does not protect neighbouring skin by association. If your lips are chapped, choose SPF 30 or higher lip balm with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Avoid lip products containing fragrance, mint or citrus flavourings, menthol, octinoxate or oxybenzone while the lips are chapped. Use a nonirritating balm several times daily and before bed, and avoid licking, biting or picking your lips. Chapped lips should noticeably improve within 2 to 3 weeks of this care; see a dermatologist if they do not.14

What if I have bumps around my mouth?

Red bumps that do not go away need a clinician's assessment. Perioral dermatitis is a rash around the mouth that can resemble acne, and sunscreen is one possible trigger. If you have this condition, care can include stopping facial sunscreen, cosmetics and creams and washing with warm water only. Ask your clinician how to manage sun protection during treatment, using shade and a hat meanwhile. Do not treat the rash with an over the counter steroid cream, and discuss changes to prescribed steroids with your clinician.6