C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm Review

C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
10.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants
Ingredients

C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm Ingredients

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Full Ingredient List (INCI):

Petrolatum, Lanolin Oil, Squalene, Flavor (Aroma), Octyldodecanol, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Jojoba Esters, Red 30 Lake (CI 73360)
Review

Does C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm Work?

 
According to CreamScan's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm has to offer:
 
✅ Strong occlusive moisturizing. This exceptionally occlusive moisturizer, ideal for dry and very dry skin, has a moderate moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10, impaired by the absence of humectants.
✅ Antioxidant protection

  

Key Benefits of C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm:
 

🔵🔵🔵 Exceptionally Rich Moisturizer with the Right Occlusivity for Very Dry Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely occlusive. It has zero Humectancy (we didn't find any humectant ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum Occlusivity of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Petrolatum (est. ≈50.0%), Squalene (est. ≈12.3%) and Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil (est. ≈3.3%).

This type of product, when used as a standalone moisturizer, can deliver an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin. The occlusive profile of C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm suggests a rich, thick texture, making it perfectly suited for dry skin.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

🍀 Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Squalene (est. ≈12.3%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

📌 Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm

 
CreamScan identified a few things to consider before adding C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm to your skincare routine:
 

⚠️ Best for Very Dry Skin - May Be Too Thick for Other Skin Types

With exceptional occlusivity, this product is optimal for moisturizing dry and very dry skin but may be too thick for other skin types, including normal, and especially combination and oily skin.

If you have oily, combination, or normal skin and are considering purchasing this product for the first time, it might be a good idea to try a sample before buying.

⚠️ Needs to Be Paired with Extra Humectants for Optimal Moisturizing Efficacy

An ideal moisturizer for any skin type should balance the right level of occlusivity (depending on skin type) with a significant amount of humectants, while C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm contains no humectants at all.

People with dry skin would definitely benefit from adding water-binding humectants to their moisturizing routine for effective dual-action moisturizing. If this is your only moisturizer, it may be worth including a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.

Pros & Cons of C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

🟩 Pros:

Exceptionally rich moisturizer with the right level of occlusivity to moisturize dry to very dry skin
✅ Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage
 

⭕ Cons: 

⚠️ May feel too rich and thick on skin types other than dry
⚠️ Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - needs to be paired with extra humectants for optimal moisturizing efficacy
   

Summary: C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm

 
Based on the ingredient list analysis, CreamScan AI suggests that C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm
, as a moisturizer, provides an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin, delivered in a rich, thick texture.
 
With its high antioxidant content, C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm helps protect against free radical damage and offers multiple benefits for all skin types, including preventing premature aging, defending against environmental damage, and calming inflammation.
 
That said, there are some things about C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm worth noting.
 
With its high occlusivity, C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm is ideal for dry skin but may feel too thick on other skin types. If you have oily, combination, or normal skin, it’s a good idea to try a sample before purchasing.
 
If you use this product as your only moisturizer in a routine, please note that it doesn’t contain any humectants. Regardless of your skin type, humectants are vital for optimal moisturizing efficacy. Therefore, pairing C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm with a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, can be highly beneficial for your skincare routine.
 
📌 Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible. The information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. We do not guarantee the efficacy or safety of any product, as individual results may vary.

 

Ingredient Breakdown

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
50
24.5
12.3
4
3.9
3.3
0.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Petrolatum
Function:
Origin:
Lanolin Oil
Function:
Origin:
Squalene
Function:
Origin:
Flavor (Aroma)
Function:
Origin:
Octyldodecanol
Function:
Origin:
Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Bisabolol
Function:
Origin:
Jojoba Esters
Function:
Origin:
Red 30 Lake (CI 73360)
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
115.9
50.0 x 2
12.3
3.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
None
Occlusivity All occlusives 115.9 20
10.0
50.0 x 2
12.3
3.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
None
All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
50 x 2
12.3
3.3
0.3
All occlusives 115.9 20
10.0
All occlusives
115.9
50.0 x 2
12.3
3.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
12.3
0.9
All antioxidants 13.2 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
13.2
Squalene
12.3
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
0.9
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
0.3
All soothing 0.6 5 No
All soothing
0.6
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Petrolatum
Est. %50
Function
Origin
PetrolatumAlso known as Vaseline, this is the most powerful occlusive moisturizer and at least twice as effective as other occlusives. This is why we multiply the petrolatum score by 2 when calculating the Occlusivity of the product. Petrolatum is not comedogenic.
Lanolin Oil
Est. %24.5
Function
Origin
Lanolin Oil
Squalene
Est. %12.3
Function
Origin
SqualeneOne of the main ingredients in the skin’s sebum. It helps to rebuild the natural oily film on the skin’s surface and to prevent transdermal water loss. Squalene is listed among common comedogenic ingredients by acne.org.
Flavor (Aroma)
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Flavor (Aroma)Under trade secret law, manufacturers have the right not to disclose what exactly went into the flavor and use the unspecific word 'flavor' instead. Flavor is added to products that have the potential to be consumed, such as lipsticks.
Octyldodecanol
Est. %3.9
Function
Origin
OctyldodecanolAn emollient fatty alcohol that spreads easily without leaving a greasy residue on the skin. It is also used as a solvent and dispersing agent for other ingredients.
Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil
Est. %3.3
Function
Origin
Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed OilDerived from the seeds of the cotton plant, this emollient and occlusive fatty oil is mainly comprised of linoleic and palmitic acids. It also contains large amounts of phospholipids - key components of all cell membranes.
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Est. %0.9
Function
Origin
Rosa Canina Fruit ExtractAn extract from the fruits of the Rosa canina, better known as rosehip. It contains carotenoids, which give it its bright, orange-red color, as well as high amounts of antioxidant vitamin C, flavonoids, tannins, and organic acids.
Bisabolol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Bisabolol

An anti-inflammatory compound found naturally in German chamomile essential oil. It has a pleasant, sweet, and floral scent. Bisabolol also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties but can cause an allergic reaction in more sensitive individuals.

Jojoba Esters
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Jojoba EstersA mixture of various wax esters from jojoba oil. It is used in skincare products as a fantastic emollient, soothing, and occlusive moisturizing agent that won't leave a sticky, oily feeling on the skin.
Red 30 Lake (CI 73360)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Red 30 Lake (CI 73360)