Blistex Herbal Answer Lip Balm SPF 15
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 2 UV filters · Partial spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
Moisturizing11 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“This SPF 15 lip balm combines effective protection with the moisturizing and soothing effects of natural herbal extracts.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: beeswax, butyrospermum parkii butter.
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
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Parfum, Benzophenone-3 — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Aloe 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 extractBeeswax~4.9–7.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about BeeswaxButyrospermum parkii butter~4.8–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterCetyl alcohol~3.5–5.2%
- 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 alcoholChamomilla recutita flower extract~3–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractParfum~2–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumHelianthus annuus seed oil~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilIsopropyl lanolate~1.5–2.3%
Lanolin~1.5–2.3%
- 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 LanolinMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Microcrystalline wax~1–1.6%
Ozokerite~0.95–1.45%
Paraffin~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Prevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency
More about ParaffinPersea gratissima oil~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilPhenyl trimethicone~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture
More about Phenyl trimethiconePropylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.5%
- 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-32.5%
- 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-3Petrolatum43%
- 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~0.6–1.35%
- 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 extractBeeswax~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about BeeswaxButyrospermum parkii butter~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterCetyl alcohol~0.5–1.2%
- 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 alcoholChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractParfum~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilIsopropyl lanolate~0.5–1.2%
Lanolin~0.5–1.2%
- 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 LanolinMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Microcrystalline wax~0.4–0.9%
Ozokerite~0.35–0.8%
Paraffin~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Prevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency
More about ParaffinPersea gratissima oil~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilPhenyl trimethicone~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture
More about Phenyl trimethiconePropylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilIngredient list view
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Beeswax, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Cetyl alcohol, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Parfum, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Isopropyl lanolate, Lanolin, Methylparaben, Microcrystalline wax, Ozokerite, Paraffin, Persea gratissima oil, Phenyl trimethicone, Propylparaben, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Petrolatum, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Beeswax, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Cetyl alcohol, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Parfum, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Isopropyl lanolate, Lanolin, Methylparaben, Microcrystalline wax, Ozokerite, Paraffin, Persea gratissima oil, Phenyl trimethicone, Propylparaben, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| BlistexHerbal Answer Lip Balm SPF 15YOUR PRODUCT | Jack BlackIntense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 - Lemon & Shea Butter | Australian GoldSPF 30 Lipbalm Stick | ChapStickMoisturizer Spf 15 Skin Protectant Lip Balm Tube, Original Flavor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 57% | 51% | 51% |
| Price | $2.00 | $8.00+$6.00 | — | $1.50−$0.50 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 10 | 6 of 10 | 3 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract | Mineral Oil | Mineral Oil |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 25 | SPF 30 | SPF 15 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We do not recommend "Blistex - Herbal Answer Lip Balm SPF 15" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: oxybenzone 2.50% (declared) and octinoxate 7.50% (declared).
Irritation risk
It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this lip sunscreen to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 2.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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