I didn’t realise I was damaging my lips until it was too late. Every summer, I’d notice the outer edges of my lips getting darker almost like a faint, stubborn shadow. I figured it was just hyperpigmentation or maybe dehydration. But one day, as I was scrolling through TikTok, I landed on a video that changed everything. People were talking about how their lips were burning in the sun, especially when using their favourite glossy lip oils or lip glosses, which is basically everything I had in my handbag.
It made perfect sense. While I’d never skip sunscreen on my face or body, I’d completely overlooked my lips. And if I'm honest, most of the hydrating lip products I reach for in the summer are more aesthetic than protective. That’s where Hello Sunday’s The One For Your Lips Lip Balm SPF 50 comes in.
(visible hyperpigmentation on lips is theRefy lip buff)
According to Medical News Today, lips are made up of thinner skin compared to the rest of your face and don’t contain melanin - the pigment that helps protect skin from UV rays. This makes them more susceptible to sunburn, sun spots, and long-term damage. You might not feel the burn right away, but over time, that exposure can cause premature ageing, darkening, or even increase your risk of skin cancer on the lips (yes, that’s a thing). Even more frustrating? A lot of popular lip oils and glosses actually magnify the sun’s rays, acting like a UV-attracting mirror. So while they make your lips look great in the moment, they can be doing real damage long-term.
If you’re thinking ‘SPF lip balm’ and picturing something chalky, sticky, or aggressively matte, think again. This one glides on like a gloss, smooth, juicy, and slightly shiny, but never sticky. I like to line my lips first in something close to my natural lip colour; Rhode’s lip shape in Balance is my current obsession. With the balms, I’ve been wearing the mauve shade, which looks way more pink on me than I expected (in a good way), and layering with the clear version. This combo gives that glossy look without compromising on protection. It doesn’t ruin your make-up vibe at all - in fact, it adds to it. Its just enough tint to bring everything together but still feels low-effort and breezy.
What does the Hello Sunday The One For Your Lip Balm SPF50 do?
This isn’t just a cute lip balm. It packs serious sun protection with broad spectrum SPF 50, which is no joke. Since switching to this balm, my lips haven’t darkened or felt irritated despite long days in the sun, and I haven’t experienced any breakouts or reactions around my mouth either. I find my hyperpigmentation on my outer lips is less obvious using the balms, too. Key features of the balm include:
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Delivering immediate and long-lasting moisture
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Defending the skin barrier
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Keeping lips protected from the sun
With so much talk online about SPF lip care, I’m glad this conversation is gaining traction. Lip oils, glosses, and even balms with no SPF might look cute, but they can cause damage in the long run without the necessary protection. If you’re into that glowy, dewy finish but still want to protect your lips, Hello Sunday strikes the perfect balance.
Final verdict:
Would I recommend this lip balm? Absolutely. It’s earned a spot in my daily routine, right next to my favourite concealers and the best foundations I have. I won’t be dropping my lip oils but, I will be always applying SPF first - this balm just does it all in one for me. It’s one of those products that makes you wonder why it took so long for something this good-and this necessary-to go mainstream. If you’re heading into summer with a full SPF plan, don’t let your lips be the weak link.
Shop: Hello Sunday Lip SPF
What the brand says: ‘A fragrance-free, clear SPF50 lip balm, the one For Your Lips is enriched with shea butter and squalane to keep your pout protected & hydrated throughout the year.
Lock in hydration with The One For Your Lips' glossy, fragrance-free lip balm on its own for a natural finish, or over your favourite lip colour for a finishing layer of protection.’
What we know: The Hello Sunday bridges the gap between skincare and make-up. The non-sticky balm has a cocktail of moisture boosters including shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin e to soften chapped lips. The hero agent is the SPF 50 protection which keeps your lips shielded against UVA and UVB rays.
Renee Washington, digital fashion and beauty writer says: ‘No need to compromise if you’re a gloss girl. With this balm you can get the same shiny effect without having to dodge the sun. I use it in the same way I would a gloss; liner, layer with pink, and rub together. I find that it lasts a decent amount time without the need to reapply.’
Pros
- SPF50 protection
- Broad-spectrum defence
- Just like a gloss
- Non-sticky
- Hydrating
Cons
- Thick consistency
Renee Washington, Grazia's digital fashion and beauty writer, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie..