Herpecin L

Chapped Lip Treatment, SPF 30

Name: Herpecin L - Lip Balm Stick, Cold Sores/Blisters/Chapped Lip Treatment, SPF 30
Brand: Herpecin L

SPF 30Efficacy60/100IrritancyMedium·3 UV filters

See all ingredients

Works for

Sun protection

SPF 30 · 3 UV filters · Partial spectrum

Weak protection

SPF 30Partial spectrumMineral + chemical filters

This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.

UV spectrum

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

Octisalate

Oxybenzone

Titanium Dioxide

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

OctisalateEthylhexyl SalicylateUVBOctisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen7.5%

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 absorption6%

Titanium Dioxide Mineral UVBUVA2 Photo-stable Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin~1.9–2.8%

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Moisturizing

Side benefit · Petrolatum, Paraffinum liquidum + 5 more

Works well

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: beeswax, dimethicone.

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: 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~5.1–7.6%

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~3.8–5.8%

Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~22–33%

BeeswaxKey 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~1.5–2.2%

DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish1%

LysineKey activeEffect: HighAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~0.45–1.1%

PanthenolUnder-dosedHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.1–0.35%

Anti-oxidation

Side benefit · Pyridoxine, Ascorbyl palmitate + 1 more

May help

This product contains antioxidants (pyridoxine) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.

PyridoxineKey activeEffect: MediumMight help neutralize free radicals in skin, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking. It might be irritating~0.15–0.65%

Ascorbyl palmitateEffect: Low, below effective doseBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.~0.35–0.75%

Tocopheryl acetateEffect: Low, below effective doseA 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.~0.2–0.75%

Anti-aging

Side benefit · Lysine, Ascorbyl palmitate

May help

This product contains lysine. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).

LysineKey activeEffect: MediumAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~0.45–1.1%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

2 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Parfum

Medium risk

We flagged 7 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

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 absorptionHigh6%

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.5–1.15%est.

PyridoxineMight help neutralize free radicals in skin, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking. It might be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.65%est.

Glyceryl laurateHelps water and oil mix together and has an anti-microbial effect helping to preserve product formulationsMedium~0.9–1.35%est.

Ascorbyl palmitateBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.Medium~0.35–0.75%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~0.2–0.75%est.

BhtA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.3%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Dimethicone1%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingMattifying

A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish

More about Dimethicone

Ethylhexyl salicylate7.5%

UV filter

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Sun protection

Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen

More about Ethylhexyl salicylate

Benzophenone-36%

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

Helianthus annuus seed oil~22–33%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 oil

Petrolatum~5.1–7.6%

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

Ozokerite~4.5–6.7%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to thicken the product consistency

More about Ozokerite

Paraffinum liquidum~3.8–5.8%

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

Microcrystalline wax~2.6–3.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Microcrystalline wax

Talc~2.1–3.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Absorbs oil and moisture helping to create a dryer product finish

More about Talc

Titanium dioxide~1.9–2.8%

UV filterKey active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Sun protection

Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin

More about Titanium dioxide

Beeswax~1.5–2.2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 Beeswax

Melissa officinalis extract~1.1–1.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Melissa officinalis extract

Cetyl lactate~1.1–1.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Cetyl lactate

Glyceryl laurate~0.9–1.35%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together and has an anti-microbial effect helping to preserve product formulations

More about Glyceryl laurate

Parfum~0.5–1.15%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Lysine~0.45–1.1%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-aging

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

More about Lysine

Hci

Not recognized

Ascorbyl palmitate~0.35–0.75%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidationAnti-aging

Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.

More about Ascorbyl palmitate

Tocopheryl acetate~0.2–0.75%

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

Pyridoxine~0.15–0.65%

Key activeIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-oxidation

Might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking. It might be irritating

More about Pyridoxine

Hci

Not recognized

Panthenol~0.1–0.35%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol

Bht~0.05–0.3%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Bht

Ingredient list view

Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Benzophenone-3, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Petrolatum, Ozokerite, Paraffinum liquidum, Microcrystalline wax, Talc, Titanium dioxide, Beeswax, Melissa officinalis extract, Cetyl lactate, Glyceryl laurate, Parfum, Lysine, Unknown, Ascorbyl palmitate, Tocopheryl acetate, Pyridoxine, Unknown, Panthenol, Bht

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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
	Herpecin LLip Balm Stick, Cold Sores/Blisters/Chapped Lip Treatment, SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT	AquaphorLip Repair + Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 30	CoppertoneLip Balm SPF 50	Banana BoatSport Performance Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 50 .Each
Match	—	42%	42%	39%
Price	$13.68	$3.39−$10.29	—	$5.79−$7.89
Shared key ingredients	—	4 of 10	3 of 10	3 of 10
Key difference	—	Avobenzone	Lanolin	Retinyl Palmitate
Irritancy	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
SPF	SPF 30	SPF 30	SPF 50	SPF 50
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Product summary

We do not recommend "Herpecin L - Lip Balm Stick, Cold Sores/Blisters/Chapped Lip Treatment, SPF 30" 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 a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: oxybenzone and octisalate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.

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 product 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.