Carmex

Carmex Lip Balm SPF15 8

Name: Carmex - Lip Balm SPF15 8
Brand: Carmex

SPF 15Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh·2 UV filters

See all ingredients

Edit

Works for

1 of 2 advertised claims delivered

Sun protection

SPF 15 · 2 UV filters · Partial spectrum

Weak protectionSPF under 30

SPF 15Partial spectrumChemical filtersNo white cast

This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.

UV spectrum

UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm

Octinoxate

Oxybenzone

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

OctinoxateEthylhexyl MethoxycinnamateUVBOctinoxate. 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~4.8–7.1%

OxybenzoneBenzophenone-3UVBUVA2Same 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~3.3–5%

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Moisturizing

Lanolin, Petrolatum + 3 more

Strong evidence

What the product description says

“Thanks to a combination of unique ingredients (natural moisturisers such as cacao butter and lanolin), the Carmex products moisturise your lips and prevent dryness and cracks.”

Source: Cocoon Center

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: cera alba, theobroma cacao seed 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

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~5.2–7.8%

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%

Theobroma cacao seed butterKey active· EmollientEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect~2.2–3.4%

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~2.2–3.3%

Paraffin· OcclusiveEffect: LowPrevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency~1.1–1.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

7 strong irritants: Parfum, Benzophenone-3 + 5 more — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 9 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateOctinoxate. 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 irritatingHigh~4.8–7.1%est.

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~3.5–5.3%est.

Benzophenone-3Same 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 absorptionHigh~3.3–5%est.

Camphor—High~0.55–1.3%est.

Menthol—High~0.35–0.8%est.

LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.35%est.

Benzyl cinnamateFragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.2%est.

GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%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~2.2–3.3%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 seed butterHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect3/5~2.2–3.4%est.

Edit

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

Coppertone Lip Balm SPF 50

Higher efficacy · 100/10055% match

Lanolips Lip Ointment SPF30 - Rhubarb

Higher efficacy · 100/10052% match

View all alternatives

User reviews

Would you recommend?

No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Write a review · ~30s

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~5.2–7.8%

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

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~4.8–7.1%

UV filterKey activeIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Sun protection

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 methoxycinnamate

Parfum~3.5–5.3%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Benzophenone-3~3.3–5%

UV filterKey activeIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Sun protection

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-3

Theobroma cacao seed butter~2.2–3.4%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-dandruff

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 butter

Cera alba~2.2–3.3%

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

Paraffin~1.1–1.7%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Prevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency

More about Paraffin

Camphor~0.55–1.3%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

More about Camphor

Menthol~0.35–0.8%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

More about Menthol

Vanillin~0.15–0.7%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Vanillin

Linalool~0.1–0.35%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool

Benzyl cinnamate~0.05–0.2%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl cinnamate

Geraniol~0.05–0.1%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Geraniol

Ingredient list view

Petrolatum, Lanolin, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Parfum, Benzophenone-3, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Cera alba, Paraffin, Camphor, Menthol, Vanillin, Linalool, Benzyl cinnamate, Geraniol

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Cocoon Center

≈ $3.71

Buy

Affiliate links · prices updated regularly

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
	CarmexLip Balm SPF15 8YOUR PRODUCT	Jack BlackIntense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 - Lemon + Shea	ChapStickSkin Protectant With SPF 15 & Moisturizer, 3 ea	Elizabeth ArdenEight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick Sunscreen SPF 15
Match	—	60%	60%	57%
Price	$3.72	$8.50+$4.78	$12.11+$8.39	$17.38+$13.66
Shared key ingredients	—	5 of 6	4 of 6	5 of 6
Key difference	—	Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract	Mineral Oil	Avobenzone
Irritancy	High	Medium	Medium	High
SPF	SPF 15	SPF 25	SPF 15	SPF 15
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.

We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.

Open dupe finder

Product summary

"Carmex - Lip Balm SPF15 8" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.

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 3.30% - 5.00% and octinoxate 4.80% - 7.10%.

Irritation risk

It contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. 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 2.78£ 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.

CarmexLip Balm SPF15 8

Find on Amazon

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.