Carmex Rose Gold Limited Edition Pot Lip Balm

Carmex Rose Gold Limited Edition Pot Lip Balm

SPF 15Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh·2 UV filters
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~4.7–7%
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~1.2–1.8%
~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels
Moisturizing
7 ingredients credited for this claim
Strong support
What the product description says
“Ultimate hydration, a dreamy plum scent and SPF 15 what more could you want?”
Source: Boots

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

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~1.7–2.6%
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~5.3–7.9%
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~3.9–5.9%
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~2.9–4.3%
Paraffin· OcclusiveEffect: LowPrevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency~1.9–2.9%
Stevia rebaudiana extractEffect: LowA plant extract that adds a sweat taste to products (for example, for lip products). Might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effect~0.1–0.45%
Exfoliation
Not advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claim
Strong support

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.2–0.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
7 strong irritants: Aroma, Benzophenone-3 + 5 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 11 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~4.7–7%est.
AromaAn unspecified blend of fragrant irritating ingredientsHigh~1.1–1.6%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~1.2–1.8%est.
Menthol—High~0.45–1.05%est.
Camphor—High~0.4–0.9%est.
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~0.2–0.7%est.
CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.15%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~3.9–5.9%est.
Stevia rebaudiana extractA plant extract that adds a sweat taste to products (for example, for lip products). Might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effectMedium~0.1–0.45%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 effect3/5~1.7–2.6%est.
Edit
Cheaper Alternatives
Similar formulations, better price
No cheaper similar product found.

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~5.3–7.9%
Hero · Moisturizing
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingCleansing

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~4.7–7%
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
Cera alba~3.9–5.9%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingCleansing

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
Cetyl esters~2.9–4.3%
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
Paraffin~1.9–2.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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

More about Paraffin
Theobroma cacao seed butter~1.7–2.6%
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
Aroma~1.1–1.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An unspecified blend of fragrant irritating ingredients

More about Aroma
Benzophenone-3~1.2–1.8%
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
Menthol~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Menthol
Camphor~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Camphor
Salicylic acid~0.2–0.7%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-inflammatoryExfoliationAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Stevia rebaudiana extract~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A plant extract that adds a sweat taste to products (for example, for lip products). Might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effect

More about Stevia rebaudiana extract
Citral~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral
Limonene~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Linalool~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Ingredient list view

Petrolatum, Lanolin, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Cera alba, Cetyl esters, Paraffin, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Aroma, Benzophenone-3, Menthol, Camphor, Salicylic acid, Stevia rebaudiana extract, Citral, Limonene, Linalool

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

No pricing data available yet for this product.

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
CarmexRose Gold Limited Edition Pot Lip BalmYOUR PRODUCTUnknownCarmex Everyday Ultra Smooth Lip Balm SPF 15 PomegranatePaula's choiceSkin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 15Skin79Water Wrapping Moist Cool Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++
Match—81%57%55%
Price$3.95$6.37+$2.42$64.78+$60.83—
Shared key ingredients—4 of 73 of 72 of 7
Key difference—HomosalateNiacinamideUvinul A Plus
Irritancy High High Medium Medium
SPFSPF 15SPF 15SPF 15SPF 50
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 - Rose Gold Limited Edition Pot Lip Balm" 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 is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: oxybenzone 1.20% - 1.80% and octinoxate 4.70% - 7.00%.

Irritation risk

This lip product 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.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
Carmex Rose Gold Limited Edition Pot Lip Balm
CarmexRose Gold Limited Edition Pot Lip Balm

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.