ChapStick

ChapStick

SPF 12Efficacy50/100IrritancyMedium·2 UV filters

Works for

Sun protection
SPF 12 · 2 UV filters · Broad spectrum
No real protectionSPF too low
SPF 12Broad spectrumChemical filtersNo white cast

This product does not offer sun protection, or it is very low.

UV spectrum
UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm
Octinoxate
Avobenzone
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 irritating7.5%
AvobenzoneButyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneUVA1Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.3%
Moisturizing
Petrolatum, Lanolin + 6 more
Works well
What the product description says
“Choose ChapStick Lip Moisturizer, the trusted lip care brand for more than 125 years.”
Source: Walmart

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: copernicia cerifera wax, isocetyl stearate.

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 loss42.3%
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~2–3.1%
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~1.6–2.4%
Copernicia cerifera waxKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency~8.1–12.2%
Cetyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~3.6–5.4%
Isocetyl stearateKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin~2.9–4.3%
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowTraditionally 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~23–34%
Paraffin· OcclusiveEffect: LowPrevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency~0.9–1.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 5 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 irritatingHigh7.5%
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~3.5–5.2%est.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneAvobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.Medium3%
Aloe barbadensis leaf extractTraditionally 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 skinMedium~23–34%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Medium~0.1–0.5%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
Isopropyl lanolate—3/5~2.3–3.5%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Sun protection

Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.

More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.5%
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
White
Not recognized
Petrolatum42.3%
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
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~23–34%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

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 extract
Copernicia cerifera wax~8.1–12.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency

More about Copernicia cerifera wax
Cetyl alcohol~3.6–5.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Parfum~3.5–5.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Isocetyl stearate~2.9–4.3%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Isocetyl stearate
Isopropyl lanolate~2.3–3.5%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Cleansing
More about Isopropyl lanolate
Lanolin~2–3.1%
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
Paraffinum liquidum~1.6–2.4%
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
Paraffin~0.9–1.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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

More about Paraffin
Saccharin~0.4–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Saccharin
Tocopheryl linoleate/oleate~0.2–0.8%
Formula
Tocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 acetate
White wax
Not recognized
Ingredient list view

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Unknown, Petrolatum, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Copernicia cerifera wax, Cetyl alcohol, Parfum, Isocetyl stearate, Isopropyl lanolate, Lanolin, Paraffinum liquidum, Paraffin, Saccharin, Tocopheryl linoleate/oleate, Tocopheryl acetate, Unknown

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/3 21:20 GMT
$3.89
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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
ChapStickYOUR PRODUCTCoppertoneLip Balm SPF 50Jack BlackIntense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 - Shea Butter & Vitamin EElizabeth ArdenEight Hour Nourishing Lip Balm SPF20
Match—59%49%45%
Price$3.89—$10.00+$6.11$19.15+$15.26
Shared key ingredients—6 of 74 of 75 of 7
Key difference—HomosalateButyrospermum Parkii ButterLinoleic Acid
Irritancy Medium Medium Low Medium
SPFSPF 12SPF 50SPF 25SPF 20
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: Australian Gold SPF 30 Lipbalm StickRohto Mentholatum Melty Cream Lip Balm SPF 25 PA+++ - 4 Types

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Product summary

"ChapStick -" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of it is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.

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. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 3.00% (declared) and octinoxate 7.50% (declared).

Irritation risk

This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this lip sunscreen to be medium. 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 3.47CA$ in Canada, for 4.51A$ in Australia, for 3.47$ in the United States and for 2.14£ 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 2 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2

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