Cracked lips or painful mouth corners can make a drugstore’s lip-care shelf surprisingly confusing. This guide compares three Japanese Category 3 OTC medicines: Medical Lip nc, Medical Lip b and Medical Lip Hibipro. First check whether self-treatment fits your symptoms, then compare menthol, packaging and formula.
I’m Irene, a Taiwan-born, Japan-licensed pharmacist working in a Japanese drugstore. Here are the label details that help you choose without guessing from the packaging.
Check the symptoms before choosing
All three are labeled for cracked lips, lip inflammation, inflamed mouth corners and lip erosion. Ask a doctor, pharmacist or registered medicine seller first if the area is severely weeping or eroded, you are receiving medical treatment, or you have had an allergic reaction to medicine.
An ulcer inside the mouth, or tingling followed by small blisters around the lips, needs a different assessment. Mouth ulcers and cold sores are different conditions, and these three products are not treatments for them. Ask for advice if you are unsure what the problem is.
A quick way to narrow the choice
- For a menthol-free tube you can apply directly: look at nc. It contains the antiseptic CPC.
- If you prefer a jar and like a cooling sensation: look at b. It contains CPC plus menthol.
- For a petrolatum-based formula that stays on the lips, including bedtime use: look at Hibipro. It is menthol-free and contains panthenol, which Rohto describes, alongside allantoin, as helping repair cracked lips.
These are differences in packaging, feel and ingredients, not an effectiveness ranking. Their indications overlap. An antiseptic ingredient does not tell you that your sore mouth corners are caused by bacteria.
The three products at a glance
| Name and Japanese shelf name | Format / size | Menthol | Formula distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Lip nc / メンソレータム メディカルリップnc | Tube / 8.5g | None | CPC 0.1%; no panthenol |
| Medical Lip b / メンソレータム メディカルリップb | Jar / 8.5g | 0.5% | CPC 0.1%; no panthenol |
| Medical Lip Hibipro / メンソレータム メディカルリップ ヒビプロ | Tube / 7g | None | Panthenol 0.5%; no CPC; petrolatum base |
All three share allantoin 0.5%, tocopherol acetate (a vitamin E derivative) 0.2%, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6) 0.1% and glycyrrhetinic acid 0.3%. CPC means cetylpyridinium chloride hydrate. Percentages are by weight, per 100g of product. None of the three contains a steroid.
Check the full name on Hibipro
The current Medical Lip Hibipro on Rohto’s main product site is 7g, with a redesigned tip suitable for direct application to the lips. The older Hibipro LP had different application instructions. Do not apply the new tube’s directions to an older pack: check its full name, size and box. Do not confuse this with Hibipro liquid bandage for cracks on the hands or feet; that product is not for lips.
How to apply it and when to stop
All three Japanese labels say to apply an appropriate amount to the affected area several times a day, externally on the lips only. Use a clean finger with the jar. Keep it out of the mouth and eyes. If it enters an eye, rinse promptly with water or lukewarm water; see an eye specialist for severe symptoms.
Stop and seek advice if a rash, redness or itching develops. If there is no improvement after 5–6 days, stop and take the box to a healthcare professional. Do not keep switching between these products to extend self-treatment.
Children must use them under adult supervision. Ask a pharmacist before choosing one for a baby or young child, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The absence of a specific age cutoff or pregnancy warning on the box is not a guarantee that a product suits everyone.
Before you check out
- Check that the pack says メディカルリップ. Other Mentholatum lip products can have different formulas and purposes. There is no need to buy all three to alternate or layer them for extra effect.
- Keep the box, check the expiry date and use promptly after opening. Store tightly closed in a cool place away from direct sunlight. For another familiar lip medicine, see the separate MOILIP application and stopping guide.
Official sources
- Rohto Medical Lip range
- nc product information and box instructions
- b product information and box instructions
- Hibipro product information and box instructions
- Hibipro applicator redesign
Checked 13 October 2026. Follow the Japanese box and current instructions supplied with your product.
