The short version
- Lip ointment, 0.35 fl oz (10 mL) tube, with six actives: petrolatum 31.0% as a skin protectant plus five sunscreen filters, including oxybenzone 5.4%. Not labeled water resistant.
- $4.49 on Sep 30, 2026, sold by Amazon.com. Amazon computed that as $12.83 per fluid ounce; it is a small tube.
- The tube and brand page say fragrance-free. The main thing to decide before buying is whether you are comfortable with the organic filters, oxybenzone in particular.
Not a cleanser.
Not a serum.
The ointment base does the moisturizing on the lips; no separate step needed there.
The lip part of the sunscreen step.
Daytime, alongside your face sunscreen, and reapplied at least every 2 hours in the sun, as the label directs.
The full label
We printed the Drug Facts from the product's label file at DailyMed (Aquaphor Lip Protectant and Sunscreen, published Dec 16, 2025), read on Sep 30, 2026. The Amazon listing's label image and ingredient text match it. Aquaphor's product page lists the same six actives and percentages but not the inactive ingredients.
Petrolatum 31.0%, Avobenzone 3.0%, Octinoxate 6.75%, Octisalate 4.5%, Octocrylene 2.0%, Oxybenzone 5.4%
C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Water, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Beeswax, C20-40 Alkyl Stearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Stearate, BHT.
Marked = key ingredient discussed below22 ingredients listed (6 active, 16 inactive)
| Key ingredient | What it is | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Petrolatum 31.0% | Skin protectant (active); occlusive ointment base | The FDA's skin protectant rules allow petrolatum as an active at 30 to 100% [4]; this tube sits just above the minimum. |
| Avobenzone 3.0% | Organic UV filter (active) | One of five sunscreen actives here. Allowed under the current monograph; the FDA's 2021 proposal said more data are needed [5]. |
| Oxybenzone 5.4% | Organic UV filter (active) | Also in the FDA's "more data needed" group [5]. An FDA-run trial measured it in blood after heavy full-body use [6]. |
| Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter | Plant butter; emollient (inactive) | Adds softness to the ointment. Castor oil, beeswax and glycerin are also on the inactive list. |
What the evidence and the label claims say
What the Drug Facts say. Petrolatum's purpose is listed as "Skin Protectant," and the other five actives as "Sunscreen." The Uses section covers two things. It gives the standard skin-protectant uses for lips, including protection from the drying effects of wind and cold weather. It also carries the FDA-standard statement for broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher [1]. The directions for sunscreen use say to apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure, reapply at least every 2 hours, and use a water-resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating. For children under 6 months, the label says to ask a doctor. The warnings say not to use it on damaged or broken skin, to keep it away from the eyes, and to stop and ask a doctor if irritation occurs [1].
Why a lip SPF at all. The FDA lists the lips among the spots people forget and suggests an SPF lip balm [3]. This tube is one way to follow that advice with a product whose SPF and broad-spectrum claim are both printed on a Drug Facts label.
About the filters. The five organic filters here (avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene and oxybenzone) are allowed under the current sunscreen monograph. In 2021 the FDA proposed that only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide be classed as generally recognized as safe and effective, and said the others need more data. That proposal is not final [5]. In an FDA-run trial, 48 healthy adults applied sunscreen to 75% of the body several times a day. Oxybenzone reached the highest blood levels of the ingredients measured. The authors said this does not mean people should stop using sunscreen [6]. That trial tested full-body use; a lip product covers a far smaller area, and the trial did not test one. If you would rather avoid oxybenzone, this is not your product.
The brand's claims. The tube says "Fragrance free and Paraben free," and Aquaphor's page adds "preservative and fragrance free" and calls it the #1 dermatologist-recommended lip care brand [2]. Those are the brand's statements. The retail card also makes relief claims that this site does not repeat. Our photo shows the tube alone, with one claim line removed from the label graphic.
This formula contains oxybenzone and four other organic filters; if you want mineral-only actives, look elsewhere. Aquaphor's product page gives the size as 0.34 fl oz, while the tube, the Amazon listing and the DailyMed label say 0.35 fl oz (10 mL). It is not labeled water resistant, so reapply after swimming, sweating or eating.
Where it goes in a routine
This order follows the Drug Facts directions; it describes steps, not results.
Face sunscreen first
Finish your face with a broad-spectrum sunscreen from this layer, then turn to the lips.
Apply liberally to the lips
Do this 15 minutes before sun exposure, as the directions say. Avoid the eyes.
Reapply at least every 2 hours
The label says at least every 2 hours. Because it is not water resistant, reapplying after drinking, eating, swimming or sweating is sensible.
Store it out of the heat
The listing's "other information" says to protect the product from excessive heat and direct sun.
Price and where it is sold
On Sep 30, 2026 the Amazon listing for the single 0.35 fl oz tube (ASIN B008SQSBJK) showed $4.49 and "In Stock," shipped and sold by Amazon.com. Amazon computed that as $12.83 per fluid ounce. The listing showed a free 30-day refund or replacement window. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who prefers to avoid oxybenzone or other organic filters: this tube has five of them.
- Anyone who needs water resistance for swimming or sports: the label makes no such claim.
- Anyone who has reacted to petrolatum, castor oil, beeswax or another listed ingredient before.
Sources
- DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). Aquaphor Lip Protectant and Sunscreen label: Drug Facts, directions, principal display panel. Label version published Dec 16, 2025. Accessed Sep 30, 2026. link
- Aquaphor. Lip Protectant + SPF 30 product page: active ingredients, size, key benefits. Accessed Sep 30, 2026. link
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. Accessed Sep 30, 2026. link
- eCFR. 21 CFR 347.10, skin protectant active ingredients. Accessed Sep 30, 2026. link
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Questions and answers on FDA's regulatory actions for OTC sunscreen (2021 proposed order). Accessed Sep 30, 2026. link
- Matta MK, Florian J, Zusterzeel R, et al. Randomized clinical trial of plasma concentrations of sunscreen active ingredients. JAMA. 2020;323(3):256-267. PMID 31961417. link
This entry is educational and is not medical advice. Patch test new products, stop using anything that irritates your skin, and ask a dermatologist, pharmacist or other clinician about anything specific to your skin or medications.