The history of chapstick

THE HISTORY OF CHAPSTICK
www.theevansgroupllc.com
Chip Evans, PH.D.
Tidbit – Found the first “Chapstick” was earwax, but didn’t taste so good.

Chip Evans, Ph.D. www.theevansgroupllc.com
Chap Stick, who's history dates back to the early 1880s, was the brain-child of pharmacological
tinkerer, Dr. C.D. Fleet, a Lynchburg, VA. physician. His product resembled a wickless candle and
was wrapped in tin foil. Now, over a hundred years later, the product has changed forms several
times, with new medicinal ingredients and several different flavors. Also, the product is now
packaged in sticks, squeezable tubes and jars. Chap Stick has long been a leader in the lip balm
market, but it was overtaken in 1996 by Blistex.
Americans spend over $200 million a year on lip balm.
The History of Chapstick
By Mary Bellis
Dr. C. D. Fleet, a physician from Lynchburg, Virginia, invented Chapstick or lip balm in the early
1880s. Fleet made the Chapstick himself that resembled a small wickless candle wrapped in tin foil.
Fleet sold his recipe to fellow Lynchburg resident John Morton in 1912 for five dollars after failing
to sell enough of the product to make it worth his continued efforts. Morton along with his wife
started production of the pink Chapstick in their kitchen. Mrs. Morton melted and mixed the
ingredients and then used brass tubes to mold the sticks. The rack was moved to the porch for
cooling. After that, the molded Chap Stick was cut into sticks and placed in containers for
shippingThe business was successful and the Morton Manufacturing Corporation was founded on
the sales of Chapstick.
In 1963, the A. H. Robbins Company bought the rights to Chapstick lip balm from Morton
Manufacturing Corporation. At first, only Chapstick Lip Balm regular stick was available to
consumers. Since 1963, a number of different flavors and types of Chapstick are being made.
 1971 - four Chapstick Lip Balm flavored sticks were added
 1981 - Chapstick Sunblock 15 was added
 1985 - Chapstick Petroleum Jelly Plus was introduced in Regular, Sunblock 15 and Cherry
Flavored in all squeezable tubes
In December, 1989, A. H. Robins, formerly based in Richmond, was acquired by American Home
Products Corporation. As might be expected, the product has undergone a number of changes in
formula, form and packaging throughout the years. Yet today, at an A. H. Robins Consumers
Products plant in Richmond, Chap Stick is still poured into molds -- but on a modern production
line. During a regular shift, approximately 85,000 units are produced
In December 1989, the A. H. Robins Company was acquired by American Home Products
Corporation. AHB now produces and sells Chapstick.

In 1992, in response to growing consumer expectations, Chap Stick Medicated, in three forms --
sticks, squeezable tubes and jars -- was launched. This expanded considerably the selection of lip
care products available to consumers, further solidifying Chap Stick's leadership position in the lip
care category.
According to a September 1996 issue of Med Ad News, WhiteHall-Robins reports that sales of Chap
Stick were up 10.73%, generating $63 million in revenues.
Like the Corner Drug Dealer!
The History of Carmex
Carmex is a salve for chapped lips and cold sores invented in 1936. The ingredients of Carmex are
menthol, camphor, alum and wax. Alfred Woelbing, the founder of Carma Lab Incorporated,
invented Carmex. Woelburg suffered from cold sores. He got the "Carm" from his lab's name and
"ex" was a very popular suffix at the time, which resulted in the name Carmex.
Paul Woelbing (pronounced WELL-bing) knows all about Carmex junkies. Every day, mail arrives at
the lab from people wanting to know if there is an addictive ingredient in the stuff.
"One common suspicion is that we put a really terrible acid in it that roughs up your lips and makes
you need more Carmex," he said. "But the acid we use is salicylic acid, which is aspirin. Another
rumor is that we grind up fiber glass and put that in."
At 36, Paul Woelbing is the treasurer of Carma Lab, Inc. Paul's father is vice president. Paul's 92-
year-old granddad - yes, the inventor of Carmex, Alfred Woelbing! - is still the president, working
50-60 hours a week.
A practical man, Alfred Woelbing created Carmex in 1936 because he had cold sores. He called the
lab, "Carma," because he liked the sound of the word, and he put "ex" on the end because "ex" was a
very popular suffix back in the 1930s.

Never in Carmex's 56-year history have the Woelbings advertised or marketed their product -
unless you count "the $10 a year we spend for my dad's vanity (license) plate," said Paul.
"I guess you might say we do business in a unique way," said Alfred Woelbing, who joined his
grandson on the phone. "Maybe our way of doing business is old- fashioned, but it's successful."
Indeed, last May, Adweek praised Carma Lab as one of five, single-product, U.S. companies that has
continually bucked the downward trend of the recession.
"Barely a week goes by that some large company doesn't want to buy out Carma Lab," said Alfred
Woelbing. "But our company is not for sale."
LIP BALM ADDITION???
Lip Balm Anonymous, the largest and most influential anti-lip balm web site in the world (and
possibly the only), has generated an almost cult following. They receive over 100 hits-per-day.
That's a lot of hits for a web site about lip balm addiction.
"Our primary purpose is to stay free from lip balm and to help others achieve the same freedom,"
the Lip Balm Anonymous home page reads.
Kevin C.(he doesn't reveal his last name, because he's afraid the Mafia will come hunt him down),
the sight's creator, wants to spread the good news: you can break free from the artificial highs of lip
balm. Your lips will feel "natural" once you do.
"I was definitely addicted," he said. "For me, it was Cherry Chapstick. I couldn't fall asleep with out
the stuff, I fumbled around for it in my car and almost wrecked, not to mention the financial
burden."
Americans spend over $200 million a year on lip balm. That's a lot of sore, dry, cracked, irritated
lips. The problem of chapped lips is compounded by incessant licking. Licking doesn't help because
saliva tends to dry out the sensitive lip tissue. But what about lip balms? Do they really have any
therapeutic benefits, or is it all just a sensational marketing scheme?
"Carmex is definitely the most addictive," says Kevin C. Carmex. It is made mostly of menthol,
camphor, alum and wax, and packs a potent punch. Invented in 1936, the aromatic balm is stored in
the trademark milky-white glass mini-jars.
But one problem with Carmex, says Kevin C., is that it, like many other lip balms, contains salicyclic
acid, a known exfoliate. "I would say to stay away from Carmex unless you have cold sores," says
Kevin C. "Because an exfoliate will just make your chapped lips worse."

"There's no agreement on the 'least' addictiveÉ they are ALL addictive, so the question is somewhat
moot. Most of the lip gloss/flavored types are probably not as hard[(to quit using] as regular Chap
Stick, though."
Kevin C. says people with dry lips should try drinking a lot of good old fashioned water. He also says
that if you drink a lot of soda and eat lots of acidic foods like oranges and tomatoes, you may be
drying your mouth out. Some people need to change their diets, if they really care about their lips,
he says.
The page hints that the lip balm manufacturers are engaged in a kind of "conspiracy."
"There haven't been any published reports made available to the public which do anything to
illumine the problem of lip balm addiction," he said "Who knows what lies in the secret vaults of
Chap-Stick, or Blistex, or Vaseline? Also, no one has ever proven that lip balms actually are
beneficial for your lips."
Well, America, is lip balm addictive?
"Anyone who has stopped using lip balm for an extended period of time
knows how hard it is to stay off the stuff," he said. "Your lips feel extremely
dry, until your body learns to compensate to the post-lip balm state."
.
Breaking News: A recent study Dr. Brad Radu at the University of Alabama at
Birmingham indicates lip balm can have harmful effects. See further info
below. LBA will be monitoring this study closely and will bring you further
updates.
Overuse of a balm or jelly creates a crust on the lips which traps bacteria and
fungi creating a state of permanent inflammation. The lips become irritated
and the temptation is to apply even more balm, which just exacerbates the
problem. To avoid this condition, known as cheilitis, it's a good idea to leave
off lip balms and jellies every now - rather than routinely applying them each
morning - so you give your lips a chance to 'breathe' naturally.

Blistex
When we contacted Blistex Inc. for information on their company, they sent several items, including
recent press releases, and two pamphlets: "The Sun & Your Lips" and "Your Guide to Healthy Lips."
Blistex, started in 1947, is now pushing the stuff in over 70 countries around the world, and has
been introducing higher-grade lip balm with products such as Blistex Ultra Protection with SPF 30.
Their propaganda included all sorts of scare-literature on why you should be using Blistex. They
have a self-test to determine if you are at risk from too much sun.
1. Do you enjoy spending time outdoors? (gardening, walking, biking, etc...)
2. Do you burn easily when you first go into the sun, and later tan?
3. Are you fair skinned and/or freckled?
4. Do you live in a sunny climate or vacation in sunny places?
5. Do you ski or vacation at high altitudes?
6. Do you ever get cold sores?
Who doesn't fit into one or more of the categories above? Who doesn't vacation in sunny climates
or go skiing at high altitudes? (Duh!) I guess agoraphobics and shut-ins aren't a big market, or the
company would try to sell to these people too as they are about the only people who don't qualify.
Blistex Says Ignore the Directions
Packages of Blistex Lip Medex (their Carmex clone) have the instructions "Apply up to 4 times
daily." We called Blistex about this and they said that it was because of a Government regulation
which says than topical analgesics must have this instruction. But the person at Blistex (who shall
remain nameless) said that we shouldn't worry about it as the product is completely safe and that
we could use it "as many times a day as we wanted." Can you believe it? The company is explicitly
ignoring Federal regulations! Tell your friends and loved ones now to stop using this product more
than four times daily (in fact, tell them to quit altogether!).
The evil Industry of Addiction must be stopped!
Blistex World's Most Beautiful Lips
Blistex is also turning on teens and other impressionable people by producing their 18th annual list
of the World's Most Beautiful Lips.
Look! 1998 Winners are Here!
Most Mary-able Lips: Cameron Diaz
Quickest Lips: David Spade
Spiciest Lips: Chef Emeril Lagasse
Most ER-resistable Lips: Eric LaSalle
Most Screaming Lips: Neve Campbell
Most Smashing Lips: Sammy Sosa/Mark McGwire
Most Hunted Lips: Matt Damon
Most Mask-uline Lips: Antonio Banderas
Most Melodiest Lips: Brandy
Most Masterful Lips: Mark O'Meara (won Masters)
Fairest Lips: Sarah McLachlan (Lillith Fair)
Cleanest Lips: Rudolph Giuliani (New York Mayor, tried to clean up city)

The 1998 results are continue the Blistex' tradition. There was an emphasis on actors this year, as
movie or television stars took seven out of the twelve spots. Celebrities from the world of sport
(Sosa, McGwire, O'Meara) were chosen again; Blistex wants you to think Blistex helped these people
to achieve greatness in their sports. This is the same thing Chap Stick did in the 70's with Suzy
Chaffee.
Blistex couldn't resist appealing to teens with their choice of Brandy, Damon, Diaz, and Campbell.
Truly sad.
The one person missing from Blistex's list is Tiger Woods. What else does he need to do to get the
fame and notoriety that Blistex looks for. If I was Tiger I'm not sure I would be happy or sad about
missing out on the Blistex list.
Do you see how Blistex is taking some of our most popular celebrities and using their good names
to sell this junk to our kids? This is especially tragic since these stars are not being compensated for
their names being used, but still giving the impression that it is cool to use lip balm. It is an obvious
ploy to capitalize on today's famous stars, since more appropriate choices such as Steven Tyler (of
Aerosmith) or Barbara Hershey haven't ever made the list!
Agents of LBA have obtained a complete list of award winners going back to 1980. We used the
terminology that Blistex uses for most of the entries, although did provide some annotations. The
list is available in two formats (your browser must support tables):
1. Winners Alphabetically
2. Winners by Year
The list is an interesting study of popular culture. For example, several couples (or former couples)
have made the list: Daryl Hannah and John F. Kennedy Jr., Maria Shriver and Arnold
Schwarzenegger, Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, and Lady Diana and
Prince Charles. The last three Presidential couples have also all made the list.
There are quite a few athletes on the list. In fact, Michael Jordan has been named to the list a record
three times! Interestingly, tennis seems to be the most popular sport. There are very few pertinent
choices on the list. Nancy Kerrigan looks like someone who might have chapped lips due to
exposure to cold climates, but where are the skiers or other winter athletes?
Most shocking, however, is the lip balm drug connection! Stars such as John Belushi, Boy George,
Don Johnson, Jennifer Capriati, John DeLorean, and Dwight Gooden all made the Blistex list and had
then subsequent drug problems. Did lip balm serve as a "gateway" to hard drugs for these stars?
What about Belushi's untimely death? Was it a heroin-cocaine speedball or an overdose of Carmex?
Unfortunately, we may never know!

Chap Stick on the Web!
The folks at Whitehall-Robins are getting into the misinformation business with their new Web site
Healthfront. The name says it all: it is a front pretending to be about health. You can wade through
their graphics and frames-heavy site, or you can go straight to the Chap Stick links we provide here.
The first Lip Care page announces proudly that chapped lips aren't funny! We agree, and there's
nothing funny about their Chapstick page, either. It provides the typical propaganda about how
Chap Stick will keep your lips "looking and feeling healthy". Our problem with these pages, and the
whole site in general, is that Whitehall-Robins' name is rarely seen. We think many people are going
to think this is some sort of board-certified medical site. Funny how every problem has a Whitehall-
Robins solution...
Poor Josie
Josie Bisset, of Melrose Place fame, was quoted in a People Weekly article (May 6, 1996, page 108)
that she never leaves the house without Chap Stick! Those who've read our Blistex page know that
there is some evidence that Chap Stick and other lip balms are "gateways" to hard drugs. If Josie
develops a drug problem in the future, you heard it here first! Our thanks to LBAer Joanie M. for
pointing this article out to us.
No, not Winona too!
The December 1997 issue of US magazine features an interview with actress Winona Ryder. The
article mentions that she uses lip balm and even says that Chap Stick is her favorite brand. First
Johnny Depp and now this! Stop now, Winona, before you destroy your career. Thanks to LBAer
Jason H. for pointing out this article.
vCarma Lab's Carmex
This stuff is probably the strongest lip balm around... with a rush that rivals crack
cocaine when you first apply it. There is probably more brand-loyalty with Carmex
than with any other brand of lip balm. Singer Toni Braxton has said to use use lots of
Carmex (People Weekly, May 9, 1994, page 68), saying "One of the first boys I kissed
had chapped lips, and I vowed I would never have them." What is Carmex and where
does it come from?
While the other lip balm companies are truly large ventures, Carma Labs is still family owned. They
are led by Alfred Woelbing, who still comes to work at the ripe old age of 95. Woelbing founded
Carma Labs in the 1930's and produced the first pot of Carmex in 1937. He claims it was just a way
to stop cold sores, and that the product's fame spread through word of mouth. The company takes
pride in their lack of advertising. Lack of national advertising never hurt drug dealers either!
Carma sent several newspaper articles, including a May 18, 1993 article from the San Francisco
Examiner entitled "Pssst; Wanna Get Lip Balmed?". Examiner columnist Stephanie Salter tells all
about lip balm addiction, but couches the situation in humorous or drug-language, often referring
to Carmex as "junkies". For example, she talks about Carmex users scrambling for pots under bar
stools (like alcoholics) and users sharing their stash with each other (like marijuana).

Carma Labs does admit to putting salicylic acid into their lip balm, and they acknowledge the rumor
that they put ground fiber glass into the lip balm. But, they do not deny this rumor! Frankly, Carma
Labs sounds like a mob crime family to me!
When confronted with claims of addiction, Carma's Paul Woelbing was quoted by the Boston Herald
as saying "We're in full compliance with the Food and Drug Administration." So are cigarette
manufacturers, and nobody questions that cigarettes are addictive!
For more information on the addictive qualities of Carmex, check out the alt.folklore.urban Carmex
Addiction page, detailed on the LBA Is Lip Balm Addictive? page.
The alum and salicylic acid are included because Carmex was originally created to use on cold
sores, TO DRY THEM UP. So of course there are these drying agents in the balm. Should regular
sufferers of chapped lips be spreading on a drying agent to heal their lips? Maybe not.
Do you hear that, junkies? Eight ounces of Carmex for under 10 bucks. And Carma Lab's address is
right on your little lid, in gnat-size type. At that price, think of how generous you can be to people
who've never felt the thrill.
Yes, over here, sonny. I've got something that will make those chapped lips feel allll better. And the
first hit is free.
Vaseline Lip Therapy
Chesebrough-Pond's lip care product is Vaseline Lip Therapy. Introduced in
1985, Vaseline Lip Therapy introduced the tube applicator, quickly copied by
other lip balm companies. Since then, Vaseline has also produced tube lip
balms and introduced a Wild Cherry flavor. Lip Therapy is about as popular as
Carmex, garnering anywhere from 7-9% of the U.S. lip care market.
The guide says to be aware of sun, wind, cold, dry air, or forced air heating. In
other words, the normal kind of environment we all live in. The illustration
shows a woman wearing a white coat. We're supposed to think that's a doctor.
Once again, the lip balm companies stoop to deception to make us believe it is
actually healthy to wear lip balm. Don't you believe it, folks. It just isn't true.
Mentholatum Co.
Mentholatum has a very diverse line of lip balm related products. They are quickly become
major players in the industry, so beware of their next marketing tactic. The Mentholatum Co.
is headquartered in Buffalo, New York. This certainly explains why they are such major players in
the industry. Winters are cold in Buffalo, and it is hard to break addictions when you are miserable
from the cold.

"Natural" Ice
Natural Ice is Mentholatum's mainstream balm product, competing
with the likes of Carmex and Blistex. And how nice the name is...
"natural ice." Of course, anyone bothering to read the label will this
is a crock. The product contains fragrance, lanolin, menthol, mineral
oil, ozokerite, and petrolatum. See anything "natural" on that list? I
didn't think so.
Mentholatum claims this product "delivers" on several promises.
What they don't tell you is that the cooling sensation is nothing
more than the menthol, which does nothing to protect your lips. And
by explicitly saying they are targeting heavy users, we now know
that balm addicts are indeed a favorite marketing target.
 The cooling sensation of Natural Ice tells you it's working.
 Appeals to heavy users, active adults, outdoor enthusiasts.
 Heals and protects from sun/wind/cold.
Softlips
As the illustration shows (taken from Mentholatum's
marketing brochure) the product is designed to appeal to
women. Introduced in 1990, the product is available in three
flavors: cherry, mint, and UV 17 sun protection. Mentholatum
says that "the slimline applicator is instantly recognizable and
helps to reinforce a position of quality and serious lip care
protection." There's also a line of Softlips Sheer Color (not
shown). These products are "bridging the gap between
costmetic and health and beauty aid segments" according to
Mentholatum, containing a hint of light color. This changes the
nautural appearance of a woman's lips, yet it supposedly
"enhances each woman's natural lip color." How can
something alters nature enhance it?
The newest addition to the Softlips line is Softlips Moisture. This product is designed to be
used under lipstick. They claim the use of this product will reduce the drying effects of
lipstick. Yet they don't say that even if you use this product your lips will try out anyway.
This is a clear example of the Industry of Addiction creating a need that isn't really there.
And their misleading marketing only makes the problem worse!

vSex Sells
The Body Shop
This "environmentally conscious" company was founded in 1976. Today, they
span the globe selling skin, hair, color cosmetics, and yes, even lip balm! When
Lip Balm Anonymous contacted The Body Shop for information, we were
shocked when we received their material. The press release they sent was full
of sexual metaphor.
Have your kiss and eat it too -- with The Body Shop's flavor-packed
Moisturizing Lip Balms ($4.35 each)! The gender, age, culture-crossing necessity to moisturize
the lips is accomplished with these startlingly fresh, fruit-scented balms...
Dictionary definitions can't help but fall short in relating the many symbolic and sensory meanings
of a kiss. There's the farewell kiss, the brotherly kiss, the kiss of thanks, the double kiss, the kiss of
honors, the kiss of death, the kiss of honey, the kiss as blessing, and, aaah, the kiss of love, among
others.
There are even kisses that have gone down in Hollywood history, like:
The Longest Kiss: In the 1941 flag-waving favorite, You're in the Army Now, Jane Wyman and Regis
Toomey locked lips for a record three minutes and five seconds.
The Wettest Kiss: Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster smooch in the surf in the 1953 film From Here
to Eternity.
The Most in One Movie: In Don Juan (1926), screen star John Barrymore puckered up plenty. The
official kiss count is 127 split between his two leading ladies, Estelle Taylor and Mary Astor.
Ironically, though, despite the meaning kisses convey, and despite
our obsession with decorating our lips... we tend to treat them
cavalierly, conditioning them only in winter. Often overlooked, our
lips require constant care: they have no sweat glands, few sebaceous
glands, and few malanocytes. Their only protection from outside
aggression is saliva--not much help when you consider that the
constant evaporation of moisture put on the lips by licking them
leads to chapping and cracking.
The Body Shop's Moisturizing Lip Balms also help keep a smile on your face-- and on that of the
person receiving your kisses--thanks to their mouth-watering, lip smacking flavors. Past fans of our
lip balms with notice a few additions to the cast of characters in the range. Joining favorites like
Apricot, Kiwi, and Strawberry are tangy Black Cherry, tropical Coconut & Pineapple, and citrusy
Mandarin.

If you're old enough to be kissing (ha! ha!) and want to make your lips their smooch-worthy best,
use The Body Shop's Moisturizing Lip Balms after removing chapped skin with Colorings Lipstuff.
It doesn't take a genius to see what The Body Shop is selling in this press release-- sex! They're
pretty blatant too, using terms like "gone down" and using colorful ways to describe kisses:
smooches, lip smacking, and puckered. And what categories did they choose for their movie list?
Longest, Wettest, and Most in One Movie? Longest and Wettest are pretty blatant sexual metaphors.
They're going for an orgy or threesome with their Most in One Movie, apparently. In these days of
safer sex, do we really need to encourage kids (or even adults) to partake in this kind of activity?
And, what is the deal with "if you're old enough to be kissing (ha! ha!)"? Are they encouraging
toddlers and children to start using lip balms and kissing? That sentence is just plain weird!
Lipscuff
Lipscuff is the Body Shop's new lip care product. The product looks like textured lipstick but
contains "natural exfoliators and moisturizers". Exfoliation is the deliberate removal of skin cells!
This removal of dead skin cells is claimed to promote smooth, healthy skin. Lipscuff also contains
blue corn, walnut shell powder, pineapple juice, macadamia nut oil, avocado oil, vitamin E, and
peppermint oil. After rubbing this concoction on your lips, you wipe it all off with a tissue. Boy,
these folks sure have devised an efficient system! Apply the product, then wipe it off? No chance of
keeping that Lipscuff for very long! Soon, you'll be back at the store buying more. Or so they hope!
Folks, dead skin is shed naturally by your own body! You don't need to apply this product to shed
skin! And you certainly don't need to pay the expensive Body Shop price to get a mixture of
pineapple juice and peppermint oil!
We also wonder if the shedding of protective skin makes lips more susceptible to becoming
dependent on lip balm for protection, causing users to become hooked on the balm.
Little Licks
Just when you thought the balm industry couldn't stoop any lower, they give
us Little Licks. It is one thing to use sex to sell lip balm. And it is one thing to
sell to children. But it is another to use children to sell sex!
Look at this stuff. You can't help but notice the famous image of the little girl
with her behind showing. That would be bad enough, but look at the rest of
the packaging. What are all those cherries doing there? A subtle message
regarding the chaste status of the little girl? And what about the name itself.
Little Licks? Are they saying that little girls will actually lick the balm? Or are
they implying the girl will be licking something else? Truly sickening!

Lipsex
You know, we've been doing the LBA thing for a few years now, but we've never seen a company so
anxious to be added to our pages. You'd think that the negative publicity regarding the harmful
effects of balm addiction would cause companies to avoid us. But, one company took a different
approach.
In fact, Lizard Lipcare of Palm Desert, CA mocked our entire site with their letter to us. Jeffrey S.
Goolst wrote to LBA, enclosing several samples of their products. The second paragraph read "The
first ones are free to get you ADDICTED, in case you've relapsed already. I'm about to check
myself in if I can't find a meeting today." Maybe this Goolst fellow thought he was being funny,
but we weren't laughing here at LBA!
Lizard has several lip balm products. Lizard Lips is their main product, an "exotic lip balm" made
with 100% natural and organic ingredients. On the tube itself is a phrase "tested on friends." I don't
know about you, but I don't "test" things that might be harmful on my friends. Goolst says that the
products are tested on "friends, not animals... although, a few lizards have been spotted trying to
score some Lipsex." There you go again with the mocking tone, Jeffrey.
Lizard's most famous (or infamous) product is Lipsex ("the best for your lips"). It's not hard to
imagine why this product sells so well. Since lips are among the most sensual of body parts, it is no
wonder that Lizard has stooped and exploited this factor. Goolst even claims the name was coined
by high-schoolers. Why am I not surprised?
Un-petroleum Lip Balm
Several companies have begun introducing lip balm products made without
the petroleum products so common in most balms. These "natural" lip balms
claim that they are a healthier alternative to the major brands. Lip Balm
Anonymous checked out some of these companies and found them to be less
than successful.
Autumn Harp Un-Petroleum Products
Autumn Harp got the unpetroleum ball rolling in 1987. According to an
Autumn Harp press release, founder Kevin Harper believes Un-Petroleum
provides a natural alternative to the lip products which normally contain
petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or paraffin. The company's Un-Petroleum Jelly is
made from Amazonian bassu oil and vegetable waxes which are blended with Tanzanian or
Zambian beeswax. Natural fruit flavors are added, with Original and Harvest Cherry flavors
available.
The company is aggressively using the hard-sell to market their products. The company produces
all lip care products for The Body Shop, a company known for fanaticism. They also try to gain entry
into the community by using giveaways. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on January 21, 1996
that Autumn Harp named that city the winner of its second "Winter Heroes City" award (Boston

won the first award). In addition to a certificate praising the snow removal workers, Autumn Harp
also send them 500 sticks of lip balm. Autumn Harp marketing manager Christine Hoar said "they
absolutely needed a morale boost." Yes, and what other kind of boost, Christine? How many of these
500 sticks ended up not with the workers, but on the street, or worse yet, in the hands of the
workers' children? And, do we really want snow removal workers fumbling in their pockets for lip
balm when they should be paying attention to icy conditions and their ten ton trucks?
Kevin Harper believes that people will "most health-conscious consumers will stop using petroleum
products on their skin and lips once they have all natural alternatives." What Harper doesn't tell
you is that the only healthy alternative is to use your lips' natural protection by stopping use of
any kind of lip balm. After all, what could be more natural than that?
Autumn Harp's New Marketing "Push"
Autumn Harp has jumped on the kid's lip balm market with product called Smart Mouth Un-
Petroleum Lip Balm. Touted as being "the only kids' lip balm made with lots of read, mouth
watering flavors, natural plant oils and beeswax instead of petroleum, the same crude oil that is
used to make gasoline and grease." Why even their display blister packs say they are targeting 8-12
year-olds! You know these lip balms are flavored, and what a list of flavors they are: Staw-Bee-
Berry, Bee-Na Colada, Bumble Gum and Orange Bee'Nilla! We criticized Bonne Bell for providing a
Pina Colada flavor, so it is only fair that we mention Autumn Harp's similar tactic. Not only are the
flavors subtly telling kids it is ok to drink, it is also telling them that spelling doesn't matter!
But here's one thing Autumn Harp probably won't mention to the kids: the product contains Castor
Oil. Yuck!
Autumn Harp Update from Andrew D.
Autumn Harp makes another flavor of lip balm -- "Citrus Sunscreen". It's SPF18, and i'm addicted
to it. Not only do i use it on my lips, but it's also quite handy to use on your nose when you go
snowshoeing or skiing.
Hey Andrew... maybe sticking lip balm up and around your nose isn't such a good idea. Who
knows what will go up the nose next, right?
Saurus Sport
Another example of the non-petroleum lip balm is Saurus Sport. They have a
colorful logo on the top of their pot. While this product does not contain
petroleum, their unique formula causes the balm to feel very much like rubber.
No doubt, this cannot be popular with even the most addicted balm users.
This theory was played out when we tried to contact the company, listed on the
package as being in Navarre, Florida. In fact, the company was nowhere to be
found. Apparently, they are a casualty of the balm wars.

The Lip Balm Drug Connection
Many people thought we were joking when we brought up the connection between Blistex Most
Beautiful Lips winners and subsequent drug problems and deaths. We thought it strange that some
lip balms, usually the most addictive like Carmex, tended to come in containers typically referred to
as "pots". We also noticed that one of the pages at Bonne Bell's Web site has the document title
Smack (we're not kidding). For a while we thought we were just being paranoid about a lip balm
drug connection. Now we have proof!
High Country Hemp Company
High Country Hemp Company is actually a tradestyle name for Straight from
the Hip Press, Inc. Since 1989, the company has been publishing counter-
culture books and other publications which deal with the growing of
marijuana or psychedelic mushrooms. They also sell "cigarette papers" and
stickers, T-shirts, or patches with marijuana leafs on them. Due to their
"involvement in the hemp re-legalization movement and a belief that hemp
products do not need to be so expensive" lead to the creation of the High
County Hemp Company. Here's some of the names of their "hemp oil"
products: "Bud's Original", "Mary Jane's Hemp N' Calendula" and "Uncle Herb's Homegrown
Remedy." Who are these people trying to fool? They use slang drug terms in all of these products.
It's obvious they are marketing addictive hemp products!
We thought we were dreaming when we saw this stuff sold at a flea-market in Kentucky. Now I'm
sure the company would "officially" say that that there were no narcotic or addictive properties in
their lip balm. On the other hand, look how the product is packaged and sold. There are marijuana
leaves right on the label! And notice how they don't sell this product at the local Wal-Mart. Yep,
these folks distribute by going underground to the unregulated flea-market, often ignored by local
authorities.
Hemp Balm
Another of these illicit balms comes from Eugene, Oregon, home to many counter-
culture types. Hemp Balm comes to us from The Merry Hempsters. Look how
blatantly they are trying to get teens to use this stuff. There's peer pressure in their
motto: "hip trip for lips". They also appeal to addicts of all types with the sun logo
that looks like it was taken from an old Grateful Dead poster.
We know that crack and heroin are a large problem, but can't the Drug Enforcement
Agency or even the Food and Drug Administration send a few agents out to shut
these companies down? After all, the marijuana from 25 years ago was much less
potent than the pot of today. Who knows what we'll be putting on our lips next
century if somebody doesn't act soon!

"The First One's Free!"
Drug dealers have been using this sales technique for centuries. Give away the first "hit" for free, get
your customer addicted, and they will keep coming back for more. Many of the lip balm companies
are aware of this effective technique and use it to hook new users.
Lip Balm Anonymous has definitive evidence that the following balm companies use the "The First
One's Free!" technique:
 Chap Stick
 Vaseline Lip Therapy
 Viractin
 Fat Lips Balm (though they claim it is not addictive)
 Ice Drops
The Marketing of Lip Balm
For a while now we've talked about how the Industry of Addiction tries to push their wares to an
unsuspecting public. Too often, we've been met with scepticism. In a few cases we were even met
by hostility from people in the Industry.
In May of 1997, Lip Balm Anonymous was able to obtain marketing documents from the
Metholatum Co. Don't ask us how we did it, but rest assured all involved are recovering nicely!
These documents, entitled "Lip Care Category Sales Strategy 1997-1998," provide conclusive proof
that the balm-makers will stoop at nothing to sell their products.
Lip Care Categories
The chart taken from the Mentholatum report shows the different balm market segments. There are
value priced brands such as Chapet, private labels, and Chap Stick. There are "medicated" balms
such as Carmex or Blistex. And there are cosmetic lines such as Bonne Bell, Lip Tone, and others.
You would think these balms are quite different from each other, but they're not. Price differences
are mostly a factor of packaging and "perceived worth." To quote the Mentholatum material,
"Lipcare is not a price driven category. Highest category sales (are) found in stores with higher
pricing. Proven potential to price up and increases (sic) profitability. Higher priced products
continue to show (the) greatest growth in food and drug."

Advertising
The chart shows the extent of advertising and promotion
for balm products. Different product lines are advertised in
different magazines. You can check the dates yourself to
determine the authenticity of the documentation.
Most scary however, is continued proof that balm
companies use techniques employed by drug dealers.
Detailed on our Lip Balm Drug Connection page, "the first
one's free" technique is shown here too! See how the advertising starts? They start with $1-off
coupons as the first assault of their marketing blitz. Worse, you can see that the young people of our
college campuses are among the first targets. Don't students have enough problems with substance
abuse? The National Sweepstakes to win a Geo Tracker is a venture with Seventeen magazine. You
see, marketing to children never stops!
Selling Year-Round!
Some people claimed we were crazy when we said lip balm
addiction was a year-round disorder. Now we have proof! This
Blistex ad ran in U.S. Sunday newspapers during May 1997. As you
can see, the ad is very direct about trying to get people to use balm
during the summer. If you think you only need lip balm during the
winter, Blistex wants you to think differently!
Here's the proof in the pudding! These sales figures for the lip care
category come from Mentholatum. Sales are the highest during
December, and certainly winter is a busy time in the lip balm
market. But look at the numbers another way.
Sales are steady throughout the entire year! You don't see a nose-dive during the summer months
at all.
In fact, one could argue that the increased sales during December are a factor of the holiday gift
season more than weather. As you'll see on the next few pages, there is a big market for lip balm
marketed to children. And you know a lot of that lip balm ends in Christmas stockings...

Bonne Bell Lip Smackers
Bonne Bell was started by Jesse G. Bell in 1927, naming the company
after his daughter. Their most popular brand is the Lip Smacker lip
gloss. In 1973, Bonne Bell introduced a flavored lip gloss. The first
flavor created was Strawberry and today, there are 26 flavors to
choose from: Dr. Pepper, Watermelon, Cherry, Bubble Gum. Wild
Raspberry, Pina Colada, Passion Fruit, Orange Pop, Peppermint, Red
Raspberry, Grape Jelly, Vanilla, Blueberry, Peach, Starfruit, Pink
Lemonade, Pineapple, Guava, Banana, Apple, Raspberry Chocolate,
Tropical Punch, Jelly Bean, Kiwi, and Mango.
Bonne Bell makes no bones about targeting kids: their press releases
tout the large ($133 billion) purchasing power of children. They also
make a big deal about the fact that they do not test on animals. While
that is to be commended, wouldn't it be wonderful is Bonne Bell
stopped testing on our kids! Although Bonne Bell literature touts
children as being "aware of brands and advertising" and "receptive to
new products, new technologies, and new styles" we would rather
think of kids as being plain old impressionable. Don't our kids have
enough trouble finding acceptance in the world without companies like Bonne Bell brain-washing
them into thinking using a lip product is cool?
Where do Lip Smackers come from?
Here's an excerpt from a Bonne Bell press release:
Thanks to modern science, any flavor (synthetic interpretations of natural flavor) can be duplicated,
such as Mango, Bubble Gum, and Guava, just to name a few. These flavoring ingredients are also
used widely in processed and prepackaged foods and beverages. In developing the individual
flavors, our research staff works with independent essential oil manufacturers to achieve the best
intended flavor. The finished flavor submission is often composed of two dozen or more ingredients
and may take several months of refinements before the final approval by labs. Many of our
combination flavors are achieved by creative blending in our own labs. Lip Smackers are also
sensitively tested by outside clinical laboratories to make sure our products are of the highest
quality. Each new Lip Smackers is also tested to insure complete safety to the consumer. The raw
materials which make up Lip Smackers are melted together, and the warm liquid is poured into
containers. The flavor is added a the last minute to insure the freshest taste and smell. The stick is
sent through a cooling tunnel which makes it solid.
Doesn't modern science have anything better to do than create Raspberry Chocolate lip balm?
Aren't all the starving people in the world a higher priority for scientists than creating yet another
lip balm flavor? I tell you, these companies will not stop until we're all hooked!

Club Smackers
Bonne Bell's latest tool is Club Smackers. For $4, your child can
get a colorful membership certificate, along with a bag full of
Bonne Bell products: Apple Blossom Cologne Spritzer, Starfruit
Body Lotion, Vanilla Vibes Smackers Bath and Shower Gel, and
Pina Colada Lip Smacker lip gloss.
What kind of parents allow their kids to use Pina Colada flavor
lip balm? What's next, beer, rum, or whiskey flavors? Some
parents probably won't stop even when they bring out Heroin
Balm.
Bonne Bell Web Site
We've saved the worst for last! Bonne Bell now has a Web site propagandizing their products,
including Lip Smackers, their lip gloss product. Lip Smackers are detailed in the Lip Balm
Anonymous Industry of Addiction pages, and we found their Web site to be despicable on several
counts. The site is obviously geared for children, yet the large graphics take forever to download via
modem, the method most kids use to access the Internet. There is even a large Lip Smacker Flavor
Glossary in Adobe Acrobat format. There are also pertinent links describing the "fun, fruitlicious,
collectable flavors" of Lip Smackers, or the "colorful fun" of Lip Lix, their new lip color plus flavor
product. There's even an advice column where kids ask for advice and solutions always involve
Bonne Bell products. Someone ought to ask these folks if they know how much damage they're
doing to our kids! The Bonne Bell Web site is truly a bad omen for us all.
Web of Addiction
Lip Balm on the World-Wide Web
As with any subject covered on the Internet, there is a wide variety of opinion regarding lip balm.
Some of the material chronicled below takes a cautioned medical approach to lip balm usage. Sadly,
others are still in lip balm industry brainwash mode. There are even some sick entrepreneurs out
there who are hawking the stuff on the net!
Street Cents Online
Street Cents Online provides a wonderful overview of lip balm, giving an overview of ingredients
used in various types of lip balms. Would you believe that both Blistex and Chap Stick medicated
contain coal tar? The profile also indicates that lip balms dry out quickly, requiring re-application
every thirty minutes! Is it any wonder we've had so many problems with lip balm addiction? This
page even makes reference to "Chap Stick addicts" who doctors call "liplickers". Street Cents quotes
the Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients and finds that differences between brands is
"largely a matter of taste and packaging." However, note that they didn't review Carmex for their
article.

A Lip Balm Addict's Guide To the Internet
A Lip Balm Addict's Everywhere proves the old adage that the more things change, the more things
stay the same. Similar, but less detailed, than our LBA site but covering the same topic. Except these
folks revel in their addiction, and unhealthy attitude to say the least! Get help, folks!
Carmex Cult
SuperChurch's Big Rules Expounded verges on brainwash territory. This cult-like entity's first rule
is "Use Lots of Carmex." Frankly, we always thought that Carmex has a little more "kick" than the
other brands, and here's proof! These cultists probably rub Carmex on ritual sacrifices also! Here's
the complete rule from the SuperChurch page:
Throughout our human history and prehistory, people have found that certain substances enable
them to achieve a higher state of consciousness. It could be they were actually hitting a lower level
of consciousness, but once you leave the normal one, who really cares? These substances have
ranged from various fermented foods to oils to plants to certain fungi, each with its own merits and
drawbacks. At the SuperChurch, our substance of choice is Carmex. Within the guise of a cheery lip
balm is a truly mind-opening product. Rub a large amount on your lips, and then smear some inside
each nostril and take a deep breath through your nose. The Benign All is around us, and it smells
something like menthol.
Lipstick=Lipbalm??
The Lipstick Page provides more information on lipstick than we thought humanly possible. The
page indexes over 400 lipsticks, provides information on how to purchase them, and provides
information on what kind of lipsticks various models and actresses prefer. Sound familiar? That's
the same technique used by Blistex and their annual World's Most Beautiful Lips. Now we're not
sure if lipstick is as dangerous as lip balm is, but it does seem pretty coincidental that the sales
methods are the same!
Just What the "Doctor" Ordered
The folks at Whitehall-Robins are getting into the misinformation business with their new Web site
Healthfront. The name says it all: it is a front pretending to be about health. You can wade through
their graphics and frames-heavy site, or you can go straight to the Chap Stick links we provide here.
The first Lip Care page announces proudly that chapped lips aren't funny! We agree, and there's
nothing funny about their Chapstick page, either. It provides the typical propaganda about how
Chap Stick will keep your lips "looking and feeling healthy". Our problem with these pages, and the
whole site in general, is that Whitehall-Robins' name is rarely seen. We think many people are going
to think this is some sort of board-certified medical site. Funny how every problem has a Whitehall-
Robins solution...

Viractin
Viractin is the new cold sore remedy from Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.
The Viractin Web Site provides all sorts of educational information on causes and
remedies for cold sores. They even offer to send you a free sample of the product if you
fill out a survey or two. We've seen this "first one's free" technique before... on the
streets with your corner drug dealer.
Most disturbing is the section which links to other lip-related Web sites. That is the section where
Viractin celebrates all that is related to lips. There are several of the well known lip-related pages,
but is Lip Balm Anonymous on the list? No way! These folks don't have the guts to let their
customers know about the addictive qualities of their product. (Note: they don't link to Chap Stick
or Bonne Bell either, but I guess that's understandable) We can only hope they sunk a ton of money
on their Web site and that it will soon die a quick death.
Fat Lips Balm
Remember when you were a kid and some bully beat you up and gave you a fat lip? Is that a
pleasant memory? It isn't for us and it shouldn't be for you (unless you are a bully). But the folks at
Multex Mfg. have created a new lip balm blend called Fat Lips Balm. Their Web site provides exactly
the same information provided to Lip Balm Anonymous by postal mail, along with an ability to get
free samples by e-mail. Incredibily, the stuff is a noxious concoction of numerous components; their
Web site also lists the over 20 active ingredients. Fat Lips Balm is available in several sizes and
packages and flavors including Root Beer and Mighty Melon.
It seems silly to mention this, given that you should avoid Fat Lips Web page on general principles
anyway, but we've go to say that Fat Lips is the least attractive of all the lip balm Web pages. The
home page greets you with a cheesy GIF-89 animated logo, but the subsequent pages are not HTML
text but actual scanned images from their paper promotional flyer. The scans themselves are
not even very good. Be prepared for a long download.
Multex also claims their product is not addictive. Yeah, right!
The reason why Fat Lips is non-addictive is because of the unique ingredients it contains. I agree
that normally a person using a lip balm for long periods of time can become addicted no matter
what the ingredients, but Fat Lips is different! When my lips get chapped, I can simply put on some
Fat Lips that day, and the next their back to normal!
We recently received this note from Fat Lips:
Sorry, do to the overwhelming amount of requests for the free Fat Lips sample, we had to make
some minor changes, but not necessarily for the worse! We've now added in a couple more free
gifts to keep you interested in trying our product.

To get your free sample of FAT LIPS lip & facial balm, a Free FAT LIPS sticker, and a free FAT LIPS
temporary tattoo, just send $1.25 for shipping and handling
We can only hope that their "first one's free" sales method is failing, causing them to actually charge
for your "free" sample. Multex is shameless in using this technique to push their product! And why
would anyone need a lip balm tattoo?
Bonne Bell's Web Site
We've saved the worst for last! Bonne Bell now has a Web site propagandizing their products,
including Lip Smackers, their lip gloss product. Lip Smackers are detailed in the Lip Balm
Anonymous Industry of Addiction pages, and we found their Web site to be despicable on several
counts. The site is obviously geared for children, yet the large graphics take forever to download via
modem, the method most kids use to access the Internet. There is even a large Lip Smacker Flavor
Glossary in Adobe Acrobat format. There are also pertinent links describing the "fun, fruitlicious,
collectable flavors" of Lip Smackers, or the "colorful fun" of Lip Lix, their new lip color plus flavor
product. There's even an advice column where kids ask for advice and solutions always involve
Bonne Bell products. Someone ought to ask these folks if they know how much damage they're
doing to our kids! The Bonne Bell Web site is truly a bad omen for us all.
Many lip balms contain ingredients that may cause irritation, allergy and stress in local tissues -
disruptions that have been linked with cold sore recurrences. But Pure Lip's products have been
optimized for the cold-sore sufferer: the formulae are anhydrous (no water), so they don't require
preservatives or emulsifiers. Furthermore, they do not contain fragrances, chemical sunscreens,
counter irritants, or drying agents. Pure Lip steers clear of these adverse ingredients found in many
popular products.

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