We Analyzed the Ingredient Lists of 5 Popular Lip Balms: Which One Is Mostly Petroleum Jelly?

The Most-Used Product in Your Bag: But What’s Inside?

It’s the one product most of us have stashed everywhere—in our pockets, our purses, and on our nightstands. But have you ever stopped to flip over your favorite lip balm and read the first ingredient on the list? Brands often advertise their formulas with claims of nourishing butters and exotic oils, but the primary ingredient in many of the world’s most popular and effective balms is something much simpler and more common: Petroleum Jelly.

Is this a bad thing? And how can you tell if you’re paying a premium for what is essentially a simple pot of petrolatum?

We’re putting five iconic lip balms under the microscope, analyzing their ingredient lists to reveal their true foundations. This is a masterclass in reading labels to understand what you’re really paying for.

The Science: A Quick Word on Petroleum Jelly (Petrolatum)

Before we begin, let’s be clear: Petrolatum is a safe, highly purified, and dermatologist-recommended occlusive ingredient. It is not a “hydrator” in the sense that it adds water to the skin. Instead, it is the single most effective ingredient at creating a seal on top of the skin to prevent the moisture that’s already in your lips from escaping. It’s the ultimate skin barrier protectant.

The Ingredient List Showdown: 5 Iconic Balms, Analyzed

The first ingredient on any list is the most prominent one. Here’s what we found.

1. Vaseline Lip Therapy

• First Ingredient: Petrolatum.
• The Analysis: Unsurprisingly, the number one ingredient is Petrolatum. This product is the gold standard for a simple, highly effective, and very affordable occlusive that does one job perfectly: it locks in moisture and protects your lips from the elements.

2. Carmex Classic Lip Balm

• First Ingredient: Petrolatum.
• The Analysis: Like Vaseline, Carmex uses a petrolatum base for its powerful protective abilities. However, the formula also includes active (and fragrant) ingredients like Camphor and Menthol, which provide its famous medicated, tingling sensation and cooling relief for chapped lips.

3. Aquaphor Lip Repair

• First Ingredient: Petrolatum.
• The Analysis: Aquaphor also begins with a petrolatum base, but it supercharges the formula with other proven skin-soothing and barrier-repairing ingredients like Shea Butter, Panthenol (a form of Vitamin B5), and Ceramides. It’s a petrolatum base that has been enhanced for therapeutic repair.

4. Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

• First Ingredient: Cera Alba (Beeswax).
• The Analysis: Here is our first petrolatum-free alternative. The primary ingredient and occlusive agent is Beeswax, which is then supported by nourishing Coconut Oil and Sunflower Oil. It provides a similar protective function to petrolatum but with a different texture and a natural-focused ingredient philosophy.

5. Fresh Sugar Lip Balm SPF 15

• First Ingredient: Cera Alba (Beeswax) and Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil.
• The Analysis: This luxury option is also completely petrolatum-free. Its base is a complex and expensive blend of natural oils (like Grapeseed) and waxes, with sugar (a natural humectant) as a key feature. Here, you’re paying for the sophisticated, multi-ingredient, plant-based formula and the luxurious experience.

The At-a-Glance Comparison Table

The Verdict: Petroleum Jelly Isn’t the Villain

So, which popular balms are mostly petroleum jelly? Vaseline, Carmex, and Aquaphor all use it as their primary, effective ingredient. But as our analysis shows, that’s not a bad thing. It’s a safe and powerful skin protectant.

The true power of reading the label is the power of choice. You get to understand exactly what you’re paying for. Are you paying for simple, effective protection (Vaseline)? Are you paying for a petrolatum base that’s been enhanced with other therapeutic ingredients (Aquaphor)? Or are you paying for a complex, petrolatum-free blend of natural oils (Fresh)?

There is no right or wrong answer, but understanding the ingredients empowers you to make the perfect choice for your budget, your skincare routine, and your personal values.