Labello Sun Protect SPF30 Lip Balm Protects Lips From The Sun, But Does It Moisturise Them, Too?

Last Updated on March 5, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Does Labello Sun Protect SPF 30 look familiar? In some countries, Labello is sold under the brand Nivea. Mystery sold!

Now you know what it is, should you give it a try?

Mmm… Listen, my friend. I’m all for using SPF on your lips, too. They need sun protection, just like any other part of your body. I’m just not sure this is the best way to protect them. Here’s what I mean:

What’s In Labello Sun Protect SPF 30?

UV FILTERS

How could Labello Sun Protect SPF 30 give you any sun protection without them, duh?! Here are the UV filters it uses:

• Homosalate: An UVB filter with a slightly oily consistency and a mild floral scent.
• Octocrylene:  An UVB filter that helps avobenzone last longer, coat the skin better and make the sunscreen water-resistant.
• Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane: A.k.a. Avobenzone, an UVA filter that stops working quickly when exposed to light on its own. It’s absorbed by the body (and expelled quickly through urine), so it’s not recommended during pregnancy.
• Ethylhexyl Salicylate: Another UVB filter with a slightly oily consistency and a mild floral scent.

All together, they give you broad spectrum protection for a couple of hours. After that, reapply!

Related: The Truth About Avobenzone: Is It Really As Dangerous As They Say?

CASTOR OIL

You won’t find Castor Oil in the ingredient list. It hides under the name Ricinus Communis Seed Oil.

Either way, it’s a vegetable oil derived from the seeds of the Ricinus Communis plant. Its job is to form a protective barrier on the lips to keeps moisture in.

More moisture = softer, kissable lips.

The catch? Castor oil feels a little sticky on the skin.

The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients

• Octyldodecanol: A silicone alternative, it gives slip to a product and makes lips softer and smoother.
• Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil: A non-fragrant oil that provides extra hydration for your lips.
• Cera Alba: A source of fatty acids, it moisturises lips as well as giving the lip balm its shape and solidity.
• Cetyl Palmitate: The ester of cetyl alcohol and palmitic acid, it helps to smooth out dry skin.
• Cetyl Ricinoleate: An emollient that makes skin softer and smoother.
• Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2: A synthetic emollient that forms a film on the skin and moisturises lips.
• Cetearyl Alcohol: A hydrating alcohol (yes, alcohols can be hydrating!) that makes skin softer and smoother.
• Butyrospermum Parkii Butter: A.k.a. shea butter, it’s loaded with fatty acids that create a protective barrier on the skin. This barrier prevents water loss to keep skin moisturised AND protects your lips from environmental aggressors.
• Persea Gratissima Oil: A.k.a. avocado oil, it’s another rich source of fatty acids, meaning it deeply moisturises skin too.
• Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil: You’ll know this as jojoba seed oil. It’s deeply moisturising without being greasy.
• Tocopheryl Acetate: A form of Vitamin E, it has powerful antioxidant properties.
• BHT: A synthetic antioxidant that stabilises ingredients, so the lip balm is effective for longer.
• Limonene: Mostly found in citrus oils, it gives them their beayutiful scent. But it can be irritating.
• Geraniol: A fragrant ingredients derived from geranium, it smells amazing but can cause irritations.
• Linalool: A fragrant component of lavender and coriander. Love the smell but, you’ve guessed it, it can irritate sensitive skin.
• Benzyl Alcohol: An aromatic alcohol that makes the product smell good. But yep, it can irritate sensitive skin.
• Parfum: It makes the lip smell… well, I wouldn’t say amazing. But it does give it its scent. It can also be irritating on sensitive skin.
• CI 77891: A white pigment used to obtain opacity in skincare products.
• CI 77492: A dye that gives the lip balm a yellowish tint.

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Texture

Its texture is on the thick side. It glides quite smoothly on the lips, but feels a bit goopy. You can’t really forget you have it on. I’m cool with that. There aren’t that many lip balms with effective SPF, so I’ll accept the trade-off. For some of you, this may be a dealbreaker, though.

Fragrance

Clean, a little chemical, and forgettable. It smells a little like sunscreen, which I guess it’s to be expected. I’m not a huge fan, but it doesn’t turn me off either. If you have sensitive lips, be careful. Fragrance always has the potential to irritate sensitive lips.

How To Use It

Apply it on the lips first thing in the morning. Reapply every couple of hours or after eating, kissing, and sweating.

Packaging

Labello Sun Protect SPF 30 Lip Balm comes in a sunny yellow tube that makes you think of summer. It’s just a standard tube and easy to carry with you everywhere.

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Performance & Personal Opinion

The first time I caught my reflection in the mirror after applying Labello Sun Protect SPF 30 Lip Balm, I did a double take. The girl staring back at me had white lips that made her look like a corpse!

I don’t usually mind sunscreens that leave a slight white cast on my skin. I’m so pale, you won’t notice anyway. But on my lips? That’s too much. People asked me if I was ill – so not the look I was going for.

At least, this inconvenience is easy to fix. I just apply an opaque gloss or lipstick on top and voilá, the white cast disappears. But, sadly, this is not the only problem with this lip balm.

It doesn’t moisturise lips all that much. Oh, it does make my lips softer and smoother… for only a couple of hours. I know I have to reapply it that often anyway when I’m out in the sun, but I don’t want to do it when I’m indoors too.

At least I can’t fault its sun protection properties. The lip balm keeps my lip safe from UV harm as I enjoy my sunny days outside.

Related: Why Does Sunscreen Leave A White Cast On Skin?

What I Like About Labello Sun Protect SPF 30 Lip Balm

• Glides smoothly on the lips
• Provides broad spectrum sun protection
• Practical packaging

What I DON’T Like About Labello Sun Protect SPF 30 Lip Balm

• Texture feels a bit goopey
• Leaves a white cast on the lips
• Not very moisturising
• Fragrance can irritate sensitive skin

Who Should Use This?

If your lips are already in good condition and you just need sun protection, this’ll do.

Does Labello Sun Protect SPF 30 Lip Balm Live Up To Its Claims?

Price & Availability

£2.80 at European drugstores.

Do You Need It?

Nope. I’d skip on this. There are better alternatives out there.