Well, you probably should start! It’s UV safety awareness month, so no better time to start this habit! A lip balm with SPF can help prevent not only cold sores but also chronic damage from the sun, also known as actinic cheilitis, and skin cancer itself.
Your lips are particularly susceptible to sun damage, so don’t skip the lip balm with SPF. Lips have thin skin and very little melanin to serve as natural protection. We recommend an SPF of 30 for the lips, with frequent reapplication, at least every two hours.
Most lip balms with SPF will also keep your lips moist to protect them from chapping, a win win! Some suggestions for products include EltaMD UV Lip Balm with SPF 36, Coola Original Liplux Lip Balm Sunscreen, and Chapstick with SPF 25 (not quite 30 but still a good product).