A Derm Told Me My Favorite Lip Glosses Were *Attracting* Sun Damage—Here’s What You Should Know

As someone who’s truly lipstick-obsessed, it surprises even me when I occasionally leave the house without a swipe of my favorite red matte or a shiny gloss. One of the rare exceptions is the gym. Sure, bare lips make sense when I’m focused on my reps (unless I am trying to serve glam while lifting, which, yes, please), but even then, there’s one non-negotiable I never leave the house without: SPF.

“Most people remember their sunscreen, but forget their lips, and that’s a big miss,” says Shereen Teymour, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC. “The skin on your lips is thinner, more delicate, and lacks melanin, which makes it especially vulnerable to UV damage.” Turns out, skipping SPF lip protection isn’t just about risking a little dryness or a flaky pout. Long-term exposure to UV rays can lead to actinic cheilitis—a form of sun damage most commonly found on the lower lip. “It starts subtly: persistent dryness, scaling, and discoloration. But over time, it can progress to precancerous changes and ultimately, to squamous cell carcinoma,” she adds. In addition to these serious medical risks, UV exposure can also lead to the development of fine lines, volume loss, and hyperpigmentation. (I have one tiny dark spot on my lower lip, so I am making an appointment with a derm immediately.)