Is Carmex tested on animals?

Only the ones we’re related to. Seriously, we never test on animals. We don’t need to, because we’ve got so many Woelbing family members to use as test subjects. Our products have got to be good enough for our lips before they ever get to yours. Of course, all Carmex products undergo thorough chemical analysis and testing before they ever leave our facility.

What does SPF mean?

Sun Protection Factor is a measure of how long you can stay in the sun, compared to wearing no sunscreen. A sunscreen with an SPF of 15, for example, allows you to stay out in the sun 15 times longer without burning.

What’s this I hear about Carmex and supermodels?

Carmex lip balm has been the best-kept secret of models in the United Kingdom for many years. In addition to scarfing down natural diuretics like pineapple juice to slim their tummies, they’re using Carmex under their color to keep their lips moist and pouty.

Is Carmex a threat to homeland security?

Nope. All Carmex products are TSA-approved, so you can carry them with you on airplanes.

Why does Carmex tingle when you put it on?

Carmex contains camphor and menthol. These ingredients give Carmex a cooling effect and help relieve the irritation of rough, chapped lips.

Is Carmex addictive?

No, there’s nothing in Carmex that’s addictive. As required by the Food and Drug Administration, all ingredients in Carmex products are listed on the label.

Does Carmex contain gluten?

Nope, not even a speck. There is no gluten in any of our ingredients. We do not use flour in our manufacturing process, so there’s no chance of any trace of it on our conveyor belts.

Help! My Carmex stick went through the wash, and now I have stains all over my clothes. What do I do?

We recommend spot-treating first with Era® Plus laundry detergent or Dawn® dish soap. Rub some in and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then launder as usual. You might have to repeat this process a couple of times, but it usually works. The next more aggressive treatment is to take it to a dry cleaner and tell them that the stains are grease-based: petrolatum, lanolin, cocoa butter, beeswax and paraffin.

Is there a difference in the formulas for the various forms of Carmex?

Although they are all based on our original formula from 1937, the products are slightly different. To make the squeeze tube, we included a small amount of mineral oil to keep the product soft enough to squeeze out in cold weather. The stick contains a bit of botanical wax with a higher melting temperature for the exact opposite reason—to keep the product from melting while being carried in a customer’s pocket. Some of our products also include sunscreens for sun protection.

Does Carmex include an ingredient made from sperm whales?

You may be thinking of spermaceti, which is also called cetyl ester. It’s a synthetic wax made in a laboratory—NOT the wax which was years ago derived from whales.

Does Carmex have an expiration date?

No, it remains safe and effective for years. Paul Woelbing, President of Carma Labs, has jars of Carmex in his desk that are more than 20 years old. It’s just as good as the day it was made. Carmex has a long shelf life because of the antiseptic qualities of some of the ingredients like salicylic acid and phenol.