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Carmex Classic Lip Balm, Medicated
Carmex

Carmex Classic Lip Balm, Medicated

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Petrolatum, Lanolin + 3 more
Works well

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: cera alba, cetyl esters.

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, paraffinum liquidum, petrolatum

PetrolatumHero· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighOne of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss~22–33%
LanolinHero· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighSebum 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~7.1–10.6%
Paraffinum liquidumHero· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighMineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function~1.9–2.9%
Cetyl estersKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps soften upper layer of the skin and can enhance penetration of other ingredients into the upper layer of the skin~4.8–7.3%
Cera albaKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighForms 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~2.9–4.3%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Camphor, Aroma + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 5 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Camphor—High~0.9–1.35%est.
AromaAn unspecified blend of fragrant irritating ingredientsHigh~0.3–0.7%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
Menthol—High~0.1–0.3%est.
Cera albaForms 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 allergenMedium~2.9–4.3%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Theobroma cacao extract—3/5~3.9–5.9%est.
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Jelení Lůj Originál Placenta
Regina Jelení Lůj Originál Placenta
Cheaper54% match
$2.54
Classic Skin Protectant Flavored Lip Balm Tube, Cherry Flavor
ChapStick Classic Skin Protectant Flavored Lip Balm Tube, Cherry Flavor
Cheaper53% match
$3.04
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Petrolatum~22–33%
Hero · Moisturizing
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Petrolatum
Lanolin~7.1–10.6%
Hero · Moisturizing
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

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 Lanolin
Cetyl esters~4.8–7.3%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften upper layer of the skin and can enhance penetration of other ingredients into the upper layer of the skin

More about Cetyl esters
Theobroma cacao extract~3.9–5.9%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
More about Theobroma cacao extract
Butter~2.8–4.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Butter
Cera alba~2.9–4.3%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

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 Cera alba
Paraffinum liquidum~1.9–2.9%
Hero · Moisturizing
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function

More about Paraffinum liquidum
Camphor~0.9–1.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Camphor
Vanillin~0.45–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Vanillin
Aroma~0.3–0.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An unspecified blend of fragrant irritating ingredients

More about Aroma
Parfum~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Menthol~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Menthol
Ingredient list view

Petrolatum, Lanolin, Cetyl esters, Theobroma cacao extract, Butter, Cera alba, Paraffinum liquidum, Camphor, Vanillin, Aroma, Parfum, Menthol

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
CarmexClassic Lip Balm, MedicatedYOUR PRODUCTElizabeth ArdenEight Hour Cream Skin Protectant Fragrance FreeReginaJelení Lůj Originál PlacentaChapStickClassic Skin Protectant Flavored Lip Balm Tube, Cherry Flavor
Match—59%54%53%
Price—$26.70$2.54$3.04
Shared key ingredients—3 of 43 of 43 of 4
Key difference—Salicylic AcidVitamin EIsopropyl Myristate
Irritancy High Low High High
Drying alcohol————
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Product summary

"Carmex - Classic Lip Balm, Medicated" is effective for: Moisturizing

Price

The product retails for 16.99CA$ in Canada, for 19.95A$ in Australia, for 12.98$ in the United States and for 61.99£ 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 5 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    The lanolin paradox revisited Matiz, Catalina et al. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 64, Issue 1, 197jaad.org
  2. 2
    Comparison of skin calming effects of cosmetic products containing 4-t-butylcyclohexanol or acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester on capsaicin-induced facial stinging in volunteers with sensitive skinncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Amended Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
  4. 4
    Efficacy of barrier creams in comparison to skin care products in dental laboratory technicians--a controlled trialncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    A review on the extensive skin benefits of mineral oilncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Carmex Classic Lip Balm, Medicated
CarmexClassic Lip Balm, Medicated
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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.