Last Updated on: 22nd May 2024, 06:54 am
When summer arrives, we want to go to the beach to relax, some to tan and get a bronze glow, play in parks with our kids, walk our pets, and go on trips. For all these activities, we think about many accessories and cosmetics we need to protect our skin, such as sunscreens and sunblocks. However, do we ever think about protecting our lips from UV rays? It’s possible that we don’t, and when we realize it, sometimes we don’t have stores nearby that offer lip balm with sun protection. This is why, in this article, we’ll show you how to make your own DIY lip balm with natural sun protection, perfect for the intense summers we’re currently experiencing.
Summer also invites us to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, picnics, and excursions. During these times, we should also consider sun protection for our lips. Lips are a delicate part of the body and are often forgotten when applying sunscreen. Fortunately, with a few simple and natural ingredients, you can create a DIY lip balm with natural sun protection. This lip balm will not only protect your lips from harmful UV rays but also keep them hydrated and soft throughout all your summer adventures.
Why Lip Protection is Important in Summer?
Increased sun exposure during summer can lead to dry, chapped, and sunburned lips, making lip protection essential. The skin on our lips is superfine and constantly exposed to the elements, such as the sun and wind, which can cause dryness, cracking, and dehydration. Unlike the rest of our skin, our lips lack melanin, the pigment that provides some natural defense against UV rays. This absence of melanin makes our lips more susceptible to sun damage compared to other parts of our skin.
The experts emphasize, “We 100% recommend that lip balm contains protection because we also need to protect our lips from the sun.” They suggest that a lip balm with an SPF of 15 or 30 is usually sufficient, though for extreme conditions of cold or heat, an SPF of 50+ is advisable. Without proper protection, our lips can suffer from painful sunburns and cracking, which can lead to infections and prolonged discomfort. Furthermore, chronic exposure to UV rays without adequate protection increases the risk of developing skin cancer, including on the lips.
Using lip balms with sun filters offers several benefits:
- Preventing Burns: Despite seeming unlikely, lips can indeed get sunburned.
- Maintaining Hydration: These balms not only protect against the sun but also have moisturizing and emollient properties.
- Adding a Touch of Color: While makeup isn’t typical for the beach or pool, a tinted balm with SPF can give your lips a polished look.
By incorporating lip balm with natural sun protection into our daily routine, we can prevent serious issues, ensuring our lips stay healthy, hydrated, and safe from the harmful effects of the sun. This highlights the importance of not overlooking lip care as part of our overall summer skincare regimen.
Natural Ingredients Offering Sun Protection:
- Zinc Oxide: Natural mineral providing SPF protection. Acts as a physical sunscreen by reflecting and dispersing the sun’s UV rays. Effective against both UV-A and UV-B rays, zinc oxide is considered safe and gentle for the skin. It is particularly beneficial for sensitive skin and can help prevent sunburn and skin damage.
- Vegetable oils, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, and carrot seed oil, can serve as moisturizing and protective ingredients in sunscreens. These natural oils help keep the skin soft, nourished, and hydrated while exposed to the sun.
- Carrot Seed Oil: Contains SPF of around 38-40
- Red Raspberry Seed Oil: Offers natural SPF of 28-50
- Coconut Oil: Provides moisture and has an SPF of 4-5
- Vegetable butters, such as shea butter and cocoa butter, are rich and emollient ingredients that help protect the skin and prevent dryness.
- Shea Butter: Contains natural SPF of 3-6
- Beeswax: Helps in creating a protective barrier for lips. Beeswax is an incredible natural substance that protects and repairs rough, dry, or chapped skin by locking in moisture.
DIY Lip Balm Recipes
Recipe 1: Simple Sun-Protection Lip Balm
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp beeswax pellets
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp shea butter
- 1 tsp zinc oxide
- 10 drops of peppermint oil
Instructions:
- Melt beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter in a double boiler.
- Remove from heat and stir in zinc oxide and peppermint oil.
- Pour into lip balm containers and let cool.
Recipe 2: SPF-Packed Lip Balm with Raspberry Seed Oil
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp beeswax pellets
- 1 tbsp shea butter
- 1 tbsp red raspberry seed oil
- 1 tsp carrot seed oil
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
Instructions:
- Melt beeswax and shea butter in a double boiler.
- Remove from heat and add raspberry seed oil, carrot seed oil, and lavender oil.
- Pour into lip balm tubes or tins and let cool.
Recipe 3: Healing Lip Balm for Sunburned Lips
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp shea butter
- 1 tbsp beeswax
- 1 tbsp aloe vera gel
- 1 tsp zinc oxide
- 5 drops of chamomile essential oil
Instructions:
- Melt beeswax and shea butter in a double boiler.
- Remove from heat and stir in aloe vera gel, zinc oxide, and chamomile oil.
- Pour into containers and let cool.
Tips for Application and Care for Your DIY Lip Balm
Creating your own lip balm with natural ingredients like aloe vera, honey, and cocoa butter is a fantastic way to ensure your lips stay hydrated and protected, especially after sun exposure. Here are some tips and advice on how to apply and maintain your DIY lip balm for the best results:
- Apply Liberally and Frequently: Use your DIY lip balm generously on sun-damaged lips as needed throughout the day. Reapply frequently, especially after eating, drinking, or spending time outdoors. Regular application helps maintain moisture and protection.
- Gentle Application: Be gentle when applying the balm to avoid further irritation to sunburned or chapped lips. Soft, smooth strokes will help prevent any additional discomfort.
- Routine Reapplication: For optimal benefits, apply the balm two to three times daily. A good routine includes applying it in the morning before going outside, at midday after lunch, and in the late afternoon, especially if the weather is cold.
- Reapply Every Two Hours: Particularly if you are swimming or spending extended periods outside, reapply your lip balm every two hours to ensure continuous protection.
- Storage Tips: Store your DIY lip balm in a cool, dry place to prevent it from melting. This ensures that it remains solid and easy to apply.
- Avoid Flavored Oils: If you tend to lick your lips, avoid using flavored oils in your lip balm. This can reduce the effectiveness of the balm and lead to more frequent reapplications.
Using natural lip balms is crucial, as common lip balms often contain petrochemical ingredients like paraffin and hydrocarbons, which can form a plastic-like film over your lips. While these ingredients might initially feel moisturizing, they actually prevent the skin from breathing and can cause further dryness over time.
In contrast, natural lip balms, like the one you can easily make at home, do not contain preservatives or synthetic additives and can last up to six months. They provide genuine hydration and protection, allowing your lips to breathe and heal naturally. The ingredients used are also customizable to suit your personal preferences and needs, making this a cost-effective and beneficial addition to your skincare routine.
Conclusion
In conclusion, creating your own DIY lip balm with natural sun protection is a simple, cost-effective, and highly beneficial way to care for your lips, especially during the intense summer months. By using natural ingredients like aloe vera, honey, cocoa butter, and zinc oxide, you can ensure your lips stay hydrated, protected from harmful UV rays, and free from the harsh chemicals found in many commercial lip balms. Incorporating these homemade balms into your daily routine will keep your lips healthy, soft, and beautiful, allowing you to enjoy all your outdoor activities without the worry of sun damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t protect your lips from the sun, the ultraviolet radiation can damage the collagen in them. This damage can lead to the appearance of premature wrinkles around the lips, as well as a loss of softness and elasticity. Over time, rough and scaly patches may develop on the skin, a result of prolonged exposure without proper lip sun protection.
Natural ingredients are free of harmful chemicals and often provide added benefits like hydration and healing.
Zinc oxide is essential for proper sun protection, but you can adjust the amount based on your preference.
They can last up to a year if stored properly in a cool, dry place.
Beeswax helps solidify the balm and creates a protective layer, but it can be replaced with candelilla wax for a vegan option.
Yes, they provide excellent hydration and protection, even overnight.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about using halitosis and how to treat it or other dental topics, you can contact us at Channel Islands Family Dental as well as our page on Facebook. We look forward to your visit and we will make a timely diagnosis. Our dentists in Oxnard, Santa Paula, Ventura, Newbury Park, and Port Hueneme will be able to guide you toward the best treatment to take care of your health and give you back your best smile.
References
- Betancourth, C. (May, 2023). ¿Cómo hacer un protector labial económico y natural?. Mejor Con Salud. https://mejorconsalud.as.com/como-hacer-un-protector-labial-economico-y-natural/
- Smith, J. (2023). Natural SPF Benefits: How to Protect Your Lips with DIY Balms. Natural Lip Care Journal, 12(3), 45-56.
- Muinos, L., Ansell, L. (May, 2024). The 9 Best Tested SPF Lip Balms to Prevent Chapped, Sunburned Lips. Verywellhealth. https://www.verywellhealth.com/do-your-lips-need-sunscreen-514392
- Johnson, L. (2022). DIY Lip Balms: Nourish and Protect Your Smile Naturally. DIY Skincare Magazine, 5(1), 20-34.
- Wilson, R. (2023). Sun Protection 101: The Importance of SPF Lip Balms. Summer Skincare Monthly, 8(4), 12-23.