This is inevitable considering within Metholatum brand alone, there are more than 10 variations of lip balm.
I can't say that I have tried all but this is a review of the ones I tried (in the order of preference):-
1) Mentholatum DEEP MOIST fragrance free
This is by far the BEST lip balm considering its very affordable price of less than RM15.
Like the name suggest, it's really provides deep moisturizing effect to the lips as the ingredient can attract and retains moisture.
Another pro is the shape of the balm. Because it's oval shape, it'll just stay put and will not roll away.
2) Mentholatum Medicated LIP GEL
This is not for you if you dont like the mint after effect and gel like texture.
However it does work well for chapped lips, that's why it's my 2nd choice. Again the design meant it will not roll away.
3) Palmer's COCOA BUTTER formula with SPF 15
It works but the downside is the round shape which tend to roll away (a no-no especially when you place it beside your bedside).
Also if you have chapped lips, it tends to sting a bit and I dont really like the texture and smell.
Generally I prefer fragrance free products.
4) Avene Eau Thermale Lip balm WITH COLD CREAM
My first encounter with this product was in Japan. It was price at about 1,000yen making it about RM30 plus. It works like a charm.
Coming back to Malaysia, I was pleasantly surprised to find this balm selling for less than RM20 in SASA.
Lo and behold, besides the different language on the packing, the balm itself is also different. Really low and inferior quality compared with the one I bought from Japan.
So you can buy this from overseas especially Japan because somehow it's made by Shiseido but do not buy from Malaysia.
5) L'occitance SHEA BUTTER LIP balm stick
For me this is the worst even though many raved about it. This is possibly because our malaysian hot weather is not kind to the shea butter, changing it's texture (making it hard) and smelly.
The smell is so bad that I had to throw it away. That is why I rated it the lowest considering it is not cheap in Malaysia.
6) Burt's Bees BEESWAX LIP balm tube 4.25gm
This lip balm is not fragrance free. It smelt kind of like Spearmint chewing gum. Also it has peppermint so it leaves a cooling sensation on the lips.
Not bad in terms of moisturizing, in fact it's probably number 1 side by side with Mentholatum Deep Moist with additional points for being more "natural" but the minus points are the facts that:-
a) the tube is round shape, making it prone to rolling away and
b) the roll-up mechanism is faulty - meaning you can roll it up but cannot retract it. So frustrating because it's not that cheap in Malaysia (RM25.50) but super reasonable if purchase in USA (USD3.30).
Hopefully the mechanical fault is an isolated case.
So if you have friends in USA or going USA for a trip, a great buy would be Burt's Bees products, anything from their lip balm to hand salve or even their cuticle cream because of the fact that it's super pricey in Malaysia :(
