WHAT CAUSES CHAPPED LIPS?

What are the not-so-secret ingredients, and what do they do? *

Various forms and flavors of Carmex lip balm may include all or some of the following ingredients that moisturize and help heal chapped lips while protecting them from further damage.

Menthol — Kills germs and relieves discomfort.

Derived from oil of peppermint, menthol is a common ingredient in over-the-counter topical products used for respiratory congestion, headache, skin problems and muscle pain. Menthol also has anesthetic properties and helps soothe the discomfort of dry, chapped lips and the pain associated with cold sores. Menthol elicits a cool, refreshing sensation.

Camphor — Alleviates pain.

Camphor is a naturally occurring compound that shares many properties with menthol. The cooling, tingling effect of camphor is similar to that of menthol, and it too acts as a mild local anesthetic and antimicrobial agent against germs. Camphor is also one of the ingredients that relieves the burning, itching and pain associated with cold sores.

Phenol — Kills germs, exfoliates and anesthetizes.

Found in a variety of mouthwashes and sore throat lozenges, phenol is an antiseptic that kills germs and provides a local anesthetic or mild numbing effect. In Carmex, phenol helps reduce the itching and burning associated with dry chapped lips and cold sores. The phenol in Carmex’s lip balms also helps to gently remove old, dry and peeling skin found on very chapped lips.

Lanolin — Softens, lubricates and protects.

Lanolin has an emollient action that protects lips from the elements. Its water binding capacity moisturizes by locking in hydration, restoring softness and elasticity to tender lips.

Cocoa Butter — Moisturizes and protects.

Cocoa butter is extracted from the seeds of the cacao plant. Because of its pleasing fragrance and excellent emollient qualities, cocoa butter is a popular ingredient in many cosmetic and skin care products. The cocoa butter in Carmex lip balm moisturizes lips.

Salicylic Acid — Exfoliates and relieves pain.

Salicylic acid has been used as a pain reliever since ancient times, when a simpler form of the compound was extracted from the bark of the willow tree. Also known as beta hydroxyl acid, salicylic acid improves the overall texture of your lips by promoting very mild exfoliation of the outermost layer of the lip, allowing dead skin cells to slough off and enabling the other important ingredients in Carmex—menthol, camphor and phenol —to more effectively penetrate your lips. Only a small amount—less than 1%—is used in various Carmex lip balm products. Salicylic acid can be found in many skin care products such as cleansers, facial creams and lotions.

Aloe Butter — Helps heal and soothe.

Aloe serves as a water-binding agent for skin. It aids in rapid hydration of dry skin caused by sun burn, wind burn, and general chapping. Research has shown aloe also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial qualities. Aloe butter helps to keep skin smooth and supple and helps sooth burns, cuts and scratches.

Vitamin E — Reduces damaging free radicals.

Vitamin E helps retain moisture and prevents lips from chapping. It reduces the formation of free radicals upon skin exposure to UVA rays and other sources of skin stress such as sun damage. Vitamin E helps heal wounds faster and also increases the efficacy of other active sunscreen ingredients.

Shea Butter — Penetrates to soften dry, cracked skin.

Shea Butter is a plant lipid that is used as an emollient in cosmetics to moisturize and soften skin. It can be very helpful in making dry skin look and feel better because it penetrates to alleviate dry and cracked skin.

Petrolatum — Reduces inflammation and helps heal.

Petroleum jelly, petrolatum and soft paraffin are all names for the same ingredient. It is recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an approved over-the-counter (OTC) skin protectant and is widely used in cosmetic skin care. Topical application of petrolatum can reduce inflammation and help the skin’s outer layer recover from damage (e.g., chapped lips, minor cuts and burns).

*	Our product formulas vary slightly around the world in order to comply with local regulations. Rest assured that no matter where you are, the quality and performance of Carmex remains consistent. Even the level of tingle.