I don’t know anyone that likes to get cold sores or have chapped lips. As minor and insignificant as it may seem to some people, it’s a major pain when lips ailments creep up on you unexpectedly. Most of the time I use this when I get windburn from running on the beach in the early morning hours. Cold sores aren’t something that I suffer from often but I do get deep cracks in my lips as well as on the side of my mouth. Since I already gave high marks to the tub version of Carmex Lip Balm, I figured I’d add my two cents about the EZ-ON Applicator version for those who are looking for an easier way to apply this magical product.

If you’ve never used Carmex lip balm but are looking for something that really works to heal lips and relieve pain, I have to highly suggest that you check this out. The tubs and tubes range in price from .99 cents to $1.59 and are well worth it in my opinion. I recommended this to a few friends who are SmashBox Cosmetics snobs and they laughed at me – that is until I bet them that they’d get better results from Carmex than from using the Smashbox products [general lip products, not products used to treat ailments]. All three of them paid up about a week later when I met them for dinner and they were all waving their little yellow tubes at me.

So What’s In It?

All of the Carmex products have almost identical ingredients - menthol, camphor, salicylic acid, phenol, lanolin, cocoa butter, mineral oil and wax. The menthol is what most people pick up on first since it is a little on the strong side. The camphor and menthol combination work to heal and relieve pain at the same time so you will get almost instant relief from most lip aliments as soon as you apply it. Most people see the word “acid” on a product label and immediately think it is going to eat the flesh off their bones, the salicylic acid in this formulation helps with pain relief as well as helping to dry out cold and cancer sores. I never knew about the myths that surrounded Carmex until I checked out their website, while it is basic and leaves a little to be desired, it does give a nice overview of the handful of products they sell.

Does It Work?

In most cases, this clears up my chapped lips in 24 – 48 hours, a little longer when they are really in bad shape of it’s from windburn. Living close to the beach, windburn is something that can happen in a short period of time so I always make sure I have a tube [or tub] of this with me. It’s easy to apply and doesn’t run all over the place after a few hours. I guess I’ve gotten used to the smell of it and don’t really notice it when I apply it but people around me generally pick up on it and ask me what it is. If you have problems with the sides of your mouth splitting, this is a great product to use during the early stages before the break gets too deep. Carmex will usually clear it up in a day or so but if you have a deep crack that’s developed a slight crust around the ends, you might need an extra day to see some real results.

Things To Know

• Since some forms of lip sores can be contagious so you should never share this tube with anyone – even family members. If worse comes to worse you can have them squeeze some on their finger than apply it to their lips but that’s only when it’s a true emergency.

• The edges of the tube can and will accumulate dirt, lint and what I call “purse dirt” if you don’t keep it clean and free of the balm. If you are completely anal retentive like myself, you can pick up small plastic zipper styled bags at craft stores to keep the rim of the tube free of any foreign objects.

• The Carmex website might be basic but it’s a great way to keep up to date on new products and read up about the history of it. If you are curious and want to check it out, here’s the link … www.carma-labs.com

The Bottom Line

Some people might like the higher priced lip balms to treat minor irritations, cold sores or breakouts but for me, the Carmex name is one that I’ve grown to trust. It might take you a little bit of time to get used to it but trust me, once you do you’ll never stray from it. You can find this at most drug stores, places like Target and Wal-Mart and oddly enough almost every single truck stop. That’s how I first came across the product and I’m thankful that the clerk suggested it when I complained about the toll the winter weather was taking on my face and lips. Since then its been the only thing I use on my lips when they are sore, but hey, if you don’t believe me, read the reviews written by other members of the site … I’m not alone when I sing the praises of Carmex!

Carma Laboratories, Inc.
5801 West Airways Avenue
Franklin, Wisconsin 53132

[414] 421-7707


As always, thanks for the read!

~^V^~ Freak ~^V^~

© 2004 Freak369


Other oral aids …

• Carmex Lip Balm • N'Ice Cherry Lozenges •

• Dimetapp Get Better Bear Sore Throat Pops •

• Robitussin Expectorant Syrup • Orajel PM •




Recommended: Yes