Carmex Classic Lip Balm Medicated SPF 15

Common questions

Is Carmex Classic Lip Balm Medicated SPF 15 healthy?

Carmex Classic Lip Balm Medicated SPF 15 scores 8/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the lower scores in Scout's catalog. Carmex Classic Lip Balm Medicated SPF 15 scores 8/100.

How does Carmex Classic Lip Balm Medicated SPF 15 compare to other lip care?

Carmex Classic Lip Balm Medicated SPF 15 ranks #32 of 33 lip care in Scout's independent rankings. The current top score in the category is Santa Cruz Paleo Bee & Beef Balm Lip Balm at 100/100.

Which ingredients drive Carmex Classic Lip Balm Medicated SPF 15's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter counts in its favor; Octinoxate (7.5%), Oxybenzone (4%), White Petrolatum (35%) are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Carmex Classic Lip Balm Medicated SPF 15

Carmex
8 Poor

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 1
Harmful ingredients 5
Owned by Carma Laboratories (private)
Category Lip Care
Summary

Carmex Classic Lip Balm Medicated SPF 15 scores 8/100. The SPF 15 stick version contains Octinoxate 7.5% + Oxybenzone 4% + White Petrolatum 35%. Oxybenzone on lips is the major concern: it's banned in Hawaii, Key West, and parts of the Caribbean as a reef toxin, the CDC has detected it in 96% of Americans tested, and it's an endocrine disruptor linked to hormone disruption -- and on lips, ingestion is essentially unavoidable. Octinoxate has been similarly banned in Hawaii. The inactive list adds lanolin, salicylic acid (an exfoliant on permanently exposed skin), phenol, camphor, menthol, flavor, and vanillin. This is the SPF stick variant -- the SPF-free Carmex Original Jar has different chemistry but other lanolin/menthol/camphor issues. Privately held.

Key ingredients 11

Octinoxate (7.5%)
Very Bad

Chemical UV filter banned in Hawaii as a reef toxin. Endocrine disruptor with thyroid-hormone interference signal -- and on lips ingestion is essentially unavoidable.

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Oxybenzone (4%)
Very Bad

Chemical UV filter banned in Hawaii, Key West, and parts of the Caribbean as a reef toxin. CDC has detected it in 96% of Americans tested. Endocrine disruptor linked to hormone disruption in adolescents. On lips, ingestion is essentially unavoidable.

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Phenol
Very Bad

Phenol is a corrosive caustic agent. Concerning on a permeable mucosal lip surface.

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White Petrolatum (35%)
Bad

Petroleum jelly occlusive at active concentration.

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Salicylic Acid

Beta-hydroxy acid exfoliant. Constant low-dose exfoliation of lip skin (a delicate mucosal surface) can compromise the natural barrier.

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Camphor

Topical analgesic. FDA restricts oral ingestion.

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Menthol

Topical analgesic. Some users report rebound dryness with repeated use.

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Lanolin / Lanolin Alcohol

Wool-grease emollient. Effective moisturizer but well-documented contact allergen -- a top-50 cosmetic sensitizer.

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Flavor
Bad

Undisclosed flavor blend designed to be ingested. Limited disclosure on lip-balm flavor ingredients.

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Vanillin

Vanilla flavoring -- can be a contact allergen in some users.

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Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Very Good

Cocoa butter -- plant-derived emollient. Safe and beneficial.

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