Blistex DCT Daily Conditioning Treatment SPF 20 Lip Balm
Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 2 UV filters · Partial spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
MoisturizingLanolin, Petrolatum + 4 moreStrong evidence
“DCT helps to prevent and replenish moisture-starved cells that can occur from daily exposure to dry air and other environmental conditions.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: theobroma cacao seed butter, cetyl alcohol.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: lanolin, petrolatum
Anti-agingRetinyl palmitateModerate evidence
“DCT softens and smoothes the surface of lips to help them look and feel young.”
This product contains retinyl palmitate. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Camphor + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateBenzophenone-34.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Petrolatum54.86%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss
More about PetrolatumAloe barbadensis leaf extract~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractCamphor~5.3–8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Cetyl alcohol~3–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholCocoyl hydrolyzed soy protein~3.9–5.9%
Candelilla cera~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumLanolin~2–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sebum of wool-bearing animals (most commonly sheep). Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce the skin water loss. In rare cases could be an allergen. Not suitable for vegans
More about LanolinMenthol~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Menthyl anthranilate~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Meradimate. A UV filter. Is effectives against UVA rays, but due to its chemical properties, it can lead to increase in free radicals. This is why the ingredients is almost never used in cosmetics, despite being approved by the FDA
More about Menthyl anthranilateOzokerite~0.8–1.2%
Phenol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
A harsh exfoliant and preservative. It is banned from using in cosmetics in the EU
More about PhenolRetinyl palmitate~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateSaccharin~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Theobroma cacao seed butter~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Theobroma cacao seed butterTocopheryl acetate~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateZea mays oil~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
More about Zea mays oilIngredient list view
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Petrolatum, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Camphor, Cetyl alcohol, Cocoyl hydrolyzed soy protein, Candelilla cera, Parfum, Lanolin, Menthol, Menthyl anthranilate, Ozokerite, Phenol, Retinyl palmitate, Saccharin, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Tocopheryl acetate, Zea mays oil
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| BlistexDCT Daily Conditioning Treatment SPF 20 Lip BalmYOUR PRODUCT | Jack BlackIntense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 - Lemon + Shea | Australian GoldSPF 30 Lipbalm Stick | CoppertoneLip Balm SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 55% | 53% | 53% |
| Price | $7.66 | $8.50+$0.84 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract | Mineral Oil | Mineral Oil |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 25 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We do not recommend "Blistex - DCT Daily Conditioning Treatment SPF 20 Lip Balm" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: oxybenzone 4.50% (declared) and octinoxate 7.30% (declared).
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 6.75$ up to 22.49$ in the United States and for 6.89£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 4
- 5
- 6
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