Suffering from chapped lips and occasional cold sores, Alfred Woelbing invented Carmex lip balm in Milwaukee in the early 1930s. Formulated with a variety of natural ingredients, the mixture was carefully hand poured into small glass jars, which Alfred would sell to pharmacists from the trunk of his car. Over the last 70 years, people have come to love the lip balm. Carmex adds natural emollients to your lips, while locking in your own body's moisture to help protect against chapping and cracking. Lanolin, for example, is a natural substance that locks in moisture. The lanolin in Carmex is easily absorbed into the delicate skin of your lips, where it provides a temporary barrier against the drying effects of wind, heat and cold.