Why Some People Taste Sunscreen in Lip Products (and Why We Don’t Pretend Otherwise)
At Petty Pout, we believe in keeping it cute and keeping it honest. Our Lip Balm and Lip Balm Butter with SPF 30 are made to protect your pout from sun damage while delivering rich hydration and a silky-smooth feel. But if you’ve ever noticed a faint “sunscreen taste” when using an SPF lip product—you’re not imagining it. And here’s why we don’t advertise our products as “tasteless,” even though we work hard to make them taste as good as they feel.
Why You Might Taste Sunscreen (and Why Some People Don’t)
1. Everyone’s Sensory System Is Different
Some people have a more sensitive palate or stronger olfactory response (what you smell actually contributes to what you taste). Super-tasters or those with a strong retronasal connection may notice SPF ingredients more easily than others.
2. Application Habits Matter
If you tend to lick your lips frequently or apply a thicker layer of product, you’re more likely to experience the taste creeping into your mouth.
3. Sunscreen Ingredients Have a Distinct Profile
Our SPF 30 lip products contain a blend of highly effective, FDA-approved chemical UV filters:
• Octinoxate (6.5%)
• Homosalate (7.5%)
• Octisalate (4.5%)
• Avobenzone (2%)
These ingredients do an incredible job protecting your lips—but they do have a detectable taste and smell. While we’ve done everything we can to minimize that, no formula can make that taste disappear entirely—especially if you’re applying a product right near your mouth.
Why We Don’t Say “No SPF Taste”
We never want to overpromise or mislead. It’s common for brands to imply their SPF lip products are completely tasteless—but in reality, that’s not possible without compromising effectiveness or layering in unnecessary additives.
At Petty Pout, we:
• Use high-quality flavor oils to help mask the natural taste of SPF
• Balance hydration and protection with shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, and olive fruit oil to improve mouthfeel
• Formulate mindfully so that the product doesn’t migrate as easily into the mouth
Still, if you’re particularly sensitive or apply a lot, an SPF taste is to be expected—and we’d rather be upfront about that than pretend otherwise.
What You Can Do to Minimize It
• Apply a thin, even layer. Our formulas are rich—you don’t need much.
• Avoid licking your lips after application.
The Bottom Line
If you’re tasting a little sunscreen—it means it’s working. We’ve put in the work to make our Lip Balm and Lip Balm Butter with SPF 30 feel luxurious, hydrating, and as pleasant-tasting as science allows. But some level of that “SPF flavor” will always be there, especially for sensitive users. That’s the trade-off for real, broad-spectrum UV protection.
We’ll never promise what we can’t deliver. And that’s what makes Petty Pout the real deal.
Stay protected. Stay hydrated. Stay petty.