Carmex Started in a Kitchen in 1937

Now, over 85 years later, we ship lip care products to over 60 countries worldwide! Our products range from medicated to natural and everything in between. As a small, family brand, we care deeply about our customers and are committed to helping you look and feel your very best!

The History of Carmex

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1937

Alfred Woelbing started making Carmex® by hand, pouring the medicated lip balm into the now-classic jars in his kitchen in an attempt to remedy his cold sores. He sold it the old fashioned way, visiting pharmacies one by one.

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1940's

The operation grows, as Alfred sold Carmex® Classic Lip Balm from the trunk of his car. Only World War II can slow the sales, with the Army buying up lanolin — a key ingredient in Carmex® — to grease equipment and prevent rust.

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1950's

Production grows with positive word of mouth, and Carmex® becomes too big for Alfred’s kitchen. In 1957, Carmex® moves to Wauwatosa, WI, a suburb of West Milwaukee.

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1960's

Alfred continues to drive from pharmacy to pharmacy leaving product samples and pre-paid order postcards.

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1970's

This is the last decade of hand pouring Carmex®. With production steadily increasing, Carma Labs outgrows its Wauwatosa facility and moves to its present factory location in Franklin (another Milwaukee suburb) where mechanical pouring is introduced.

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1980's

Carmex® launches a squeezable tube, marking the company’s first significant packaging change.

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1990's

A banner decade for Carmex®! Since 1999 pharmacists have ranked Carmex® the No. 1 recommended over-the-counter lip balm brand year after year, according to a survey done by Pharmacy Times magazine. Our Click Stick applicator with SPF 15 was also launched!

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2000's

Business is booming and Carmex® is available in all 50 states! Cherry and Strawberry lip balm flavors are introduced and a 2008 appearance on Oprah spreads the news that Carmex® has sold more than one billion jars!

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2010's

Two new lip balm product lines were introduced: Carmex® Comfort Care and Carmex® Daily Care! Carmex® Cold Sore Treatment was also launched.

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2020's

Carmex® Daily Care Minis were launched and brought BIG FLAVORS and BIG FUN to the product lineup!

 

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