You've probably heard that rule #1 of skin-care is to wear SPF every day. Still, it's easy to overlook areas of your body during application, e.g. your ears, the back of your neck, and yes, your lips.

Like the rest of your skin, your lips are susceptible to sun damage and deserve protection. "The lips are actually at a higher risk for UV damage than the skin because they lack the natural protection that melanin provides the skin," explains Joshua Zeichner M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. Melanin is the pigment that your body produces, which is responsible for your hair, eye, and skin color, and your lips produce a small amount of melanin, but not as much as the rest of your face. Studies show that the more melanin you have, the more protected your skin is against UV damage, though it only ever offers up to SPF 13 protection, which is why sunscreen application is always necessary, no matter your skin tone. 

The good news is that your lips are also one of the easiest areas to protect. If you're already in the habit of reapplying a lip balm throughout the day, you can just swap your usual products for similar options that offer SPF protection. "When choosing a lip product, especially if it's a gloss, look for an option that contains UV light protection," says Dr. Zeichner. "Wearing a translucent lipgloss actually can enhance penetration of UV light through the skin, making it more likely that you develop sun damage."

When shopping for a lip balm with SPF, search for nourishing and moisturizing ingredients if you want to simultaneously treat your lips while protecting them. You'll also want to look for the same qualities you'd seek out in facial sunscreen. Formulas that offer protection of at least SPF 15 (or SPF 30 for outdoor activities) are best, according to recommendations from the Skin Cancer Foundation. It also recommends looking for broad-spectrum protection, which indicates that a formula shields against both UVA and UVB rays. (Related: Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin That Offers Protection Without the Irritation)

To save you from the process of trial and error, I went ahead and tested out a ton of lip balms with SPF. These are the eight options that I'd highly recommend trying.

Best Lip Balms with SPF to Try:

What You'll Love: This small but mighty lip balm is formulated with skin-benefitting ingredients that your lips need. It's made with moisturizing shea butter, honey, and sunflower seed oil, and chemical filters to protect against sun damage. I also love that it has a delicious fruity scent.

Customers Say: "Bought for myself over the summer - purchased as a gift for my sister," wrote one Dermstore reviewer. "Flavor is subtle which we all love."

What You'll Love: This water-resistant sunscreen protects your skin for up to 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, so it's an ideal pick if you lead an active life. I personally love its smooth, creamy texture that feels nourishing on your lips.

Customers Say: "This product has been great for the southern summer sun," wrote a Dermstore reviewer. "I feel better knowing that my lips are protected from the sun along with the rest of my sun protection. This spreads easily and seems to last for a long time."

What You'll Love: You don't need to choose between a fun lip color and SPF protection. This SPF lip balm from Coola is available in a range of shades, from bright red, pink, and purple to softer, more neutral hues. It's also super nourishing and melts like butter on your lips, thanks to its inclusion of cupuaçu butter and mongongo oil. My favorite shade is Coral Reef, which is a warm, peachy pink color.

Customers Say: "I have a single tube of the Coral Reef," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "It works really well. I wore it to the beach for the first time this year & my lips survived the whole ordeal. Now, I won't leave my house without it."

What You'll Love: I love a good lip gloss, which is why Colorescience Sunforgettable Lip Shine with SPF 35 is my go-to when I want a glossy shine and sun protection. Its formula contains hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin E for smooth, moisturized lips, and it's available in a clear version and three neutral shades that offer a hint of color. 

Customers Say: "This is a nice product," wrote one Dermstore reviewer. "It provides soft color and stays fairly well. I'm happy to have sunscreen for my mouth that has a finished look if I am in a professional setting, but doesn't leave a nasty taste in my mouth."

What You'll Love: I love that this vanilla-flavored lip balm protects your lips without leaving behind a white cast, since it contains chemical rather than mineral filters. It has vitamin E to moisturize and protect against environmental aggressors and sea moss to hydrate your lips. It also contains aloe vera stem cells which soothe redness or irritation if you've recently skimped on sun protection. Hey, nobody's perfect. 

Customers Say: "This lip balm has absolutely zero white cast, it truly looks like you're put on a lip gloss, and it has no weird spf taste!" wrote one Sephora customer. "Because it's glossy, the staying power isn't that long, but I don't care because it's that good. I'm still making my way through my first tube and already bought a second tube so I'm never without it."

What You'll Love: Aquaphor Healing Ointment is a classic pick for healing dry lips, hands, and feet, and the brand also makes a product specifically for repairing and protecting your lips. You can always catch me with a tube of this in my bag, since I love its fragrance-free formula that's packed with shea butter to intensely nourish and soothe dry lips while offering sun protection. The best part? It's easy to find at the drugstore and costs $4. 

Customers Say: "Love this!" wrote one Amazon reviewer. "I have one in every bag because I love how hydrating it is and that it doesn't have that disgusting sunscreen taste like other brands. It looks and feels like a lip balm/lip gloss hybrid and offers great sun protection in a clear balm."

What You'll Love: Looking for a glossy, hydrating lip SPF product that's 100 percent vegan and Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty free? Meet the Vacation Bananas Foster lip balm that's water-resistant and transparent upon application and offers broad-spectrum protection. My favorite part is its sweet, dessert-inspired scent that's irresistible. 

Customers Say: "Talk about a walk down olfactory memory lane!" wrote one reviewer on the brand's site. "I was pleasantly surprised at how well these kept my lips soft and protected!" wrote another reviewer. "They smell delicious too!"

What You'll Love: Get soft, smooth, and protected lips with a bit of color and shine with the help of this formula. Its mix of vitamin- and antioxidant-rich ingredients, such as sunflower oil and lavender extract, protect and nourish your lips. The lip balm with SPF also features shea butter and jojoba seed oil for added moisturization and subtle shine. I love to wear it on no makeup-makeup days to add a little extra oomph to my look. 

Customers Say: "Ten bucks for lip balm?" wrote one Amazon reviewer. "I splurged.... somehow I knew I'd love this and I was right! Totally worth the price tag. I bought Wild Rose. It feels amazing, like a creamy coconut oil, and the color is perfect. I like a natural look, this is just a shade or two darker than my lips and gives a gentle shine to them."