FDA approved to shorten healing time.

May reduce the duration of the pain, burning, itching or tingling of a cold sore.

Docosanol 10%

Can heal a cold sore in about 3 days compared to 5 to 10 days without.

For best results, use when you feel a cold sore coming on.

May shorten healing time by a day or two.

Reduce pain, burning and stinging if started at the first sign of a cold sore.

Common barrier to use is cost. But if you get cold sores often, buy from Amazon. It is much cheaper there than at the drug stores. 

Be aware of store brands with the same  look-alike packaging. They do not contain the same active ingredients. This is annoying.

Retail Pharmacy Price:
$39.99.99 / 2 tubes

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Benzocaine provides a temporary numbing action to the affected area.

Benzalkonium Cl prevents secondary bacteria infection.

Single Dose:
Benzalkonium Cl .. Antiseptic
Benzocaine 5% .. Pain reliever.

Cream:
Benzocaine 20% .. Pain reliever
White Petrolatum .. Skin Protectant

Results depend on stage of cold sore.

Use the single dose during the blistering stage.

Single dose is good to prevent reinfection and spread during the contagious blistering stage.

Benzocaine 20% to numb the affected area so you can keep your hands off it.

Cost. But rebate may be available if you have time for that.

Do not use if allergic to local anesthetics of the "caine" family.

Prefer single dose during the blister stage.

Prefer cream if there is considerable pain, itch and burning.

Retail Pharmacy Price:
$19.99 / pack

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Temporarily relieves pain of cold sores and fever blisters

Helps with dryness and softens fever blisters and cold sores.

Allantoin 1% ..Skin protectant
Benzocaine 20% ..Pain relief
Camphor 3% ..Pain relief
White petrolatum 64.9% ..Skin protectant

Individual results will vary. 

Combination of benzocaine and camphor will numb the area and keep you from touching it so it can heal on its own without spreading.

Benzocaine 20% + camphor 3% to reduce pain, burning, stinging and itching sensation.

Skin protectant helps promote surrounding skin recovery.

Allergy to "caine" local anesthetics like benzocaine, lidocaine, prilocaine.

Strength and combination of benzocaine 20% and camphor 3% is good. Strongest among cold sore medications.

Choose this if the cold sore is painful, itchy, stinging and burning.

Retail Pharmacy Price:
$9.99 / tube

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Temporary relief of pain and itching of cold sores.

Protects and help relieve chapped or cracked lips.

Camphor 0.5% ..External analgesic
Dimethicone 1.1% ..protectant
Menthol 0.6% ..External analgesic
Phenol 0.5% ..External analgesic

Improved lip condition in about 3 to 7 days

May help with the pain, burning and stinging.

Good for dry, cracking lips

Not proven to shorten healing time. More for symptomatic management.

Use this if cold sore is not too bad and lips are dry.

Helps prevent sunburn on lips that makes cold sore worse.

Dimethicone protects the tender skin on the lips.

Dimethicone 1%: skin protectant
Meradimate 5%: sunscreen
Octinoxate 7.5% :sunscreen
Octisalate 5%: sunscreen
Oxybenzone 6%: sunscreen

Results will vary

Best if used at the first sign of a cold sore

Best if used 15 minutes before sun exposure

Has the right ingredients to prevent sunburn on the lips that will make a cold sore worse.

If used at the first signs of a cold sore, severity is reduced and recovery is good.

Need to apply every 2 hours when outside in the sun.

Will not help with the pain or burning. Combine this with Anbesol or Orajel cold sore treatments.

Sun plays a strong role in activating and making cold sore worse. If this is the case with your cold sore, this is a good choice.

Retail Pharmacy Price:
$7.99 / tube

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For temporary relief of the symptoms of cold sores and fever blisters.

Benzocaine 10%

Individual results will vary.

Benzocaine numbs the area relieving the pain and burning sensation so you can keep your hands off it and let it heal on its own.

Inactive ingredients contain skin protectors which when combined with benzocaine makes the skin recover faster.

Could be used at any stage of cold sore outbreak.

A little better at concealing the cold sore.

Many confusing brands. Be sure you choose the one for cold sore treatment.

Stay away from the healing lip balm original jar. It contains salicylic acid as an inactive ingredient, the percentage of which is not specified.

Salicylic acid causes the outer layer of the skin to shed as in dandruff, acne, corns or warts. It may be useful in the later or scabbing stage.

May be better at concealing the cold sore based on the inactive ingredients listed.

Retail Pharmacy Price:
$7.99 / 1 ct

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Use in the early stage of a cold sore before scab forms to:
-- Dry the cold sore without causing cracking
-- Prevent infections to promote healing
-- Relieve pain.

Camphorated Phenol
Camphor 10.8% + Phenol 4.7%

May not make it heal faster, but it is good for numbing the itching, pain, stinging and burning sensation so you can keep your hands off the area while it heals on its own.

Helps prevent secondary bacteria infection due to scratching and squeezing of the cold sore.

Phenol temporarily inactivates the nerve endings in the skin, providing a numbing effect.

May not shorten healing time depending on the stage of the cold sore.

Do not put a bandage over the spot when using this.

For best results use in the early stages of a cold sore.

Retail Pharmacy Price:
$7.99 / tube

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Speeds healing time

Reduce the severity of a cold sore

L-lysine + others (depending on manufacturer)

Approximately 5 days, depending on individual and stage of cold sore.

When taken with lysine tablets, it may reduce the severity and make cold sore less messy.

Less irritating

May speed healing time when used in combination with lysine tablets.

Need to use with lysine tablets for greater effect.

Initial shock on smallness of the tube.

Some formulations may be too oily, shiny and runny.

Use at first sign of cold sore for good results. 

Combine with lysine tablets for good results.

Retail Pharmacy Price:
$9.99 / tube

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Temporarily relieves pain and itching associated with cold sores and fever blisters.

Relieves dryness and softens cold sores and fever blisters.

Benzocaine 5%: Pain relief
Allantoin 1 %: Skin protectant
Inactive include menthol

Individual results vary but good results if used at the first sign of cold sore.

May keep the sore from cracking like when yawning.

May reduce the weeping of the cold sore.

Small tube 

Cost

Prefer if you need moisturizer that is also soothing because of the menthol and benzocaine.

For temporary relief of pain and itching associated with fever blisters and cold sores.

First aid to protect against skin infection.

Benzalkonium Cl 0.13% ..First aid antiseptic
Menthol 1% ..Topical analgesic
White petrolatum 97% ..Skin protectant
(Contains Lysine)

Results will vary depending on the stage of cold sore.

Use early to prevent skin bacteria from becoming part of the mix and quickly making things worse.

Good to use before the blistering stage of a cold sore to prevent secondary bacteria infection.

If you suspect a secondary bacterial skin infection, this may help.

1. Temporary relief of pain associated with fever blisters and cold sores
2. Helps prevent and protect chafed, chapped or cracked lips.

Camphor 1% ..External analgesic
Menthol 0.6% ..External analgesic
Petrolatum 41% ..Skiin protectant
Phenol 0.5% ..External analgesic

Results vary.  Do not use as a first choice for cold sores.

Good for daily use for prevention.

Not recommended as a first choice for cold sore relief.

Use for daily lip care and prevention.

Antiseptic treatment for the tingling, itching, pain, burning & blistering associated with cold sores.

Benzalkonium chloride .13%

Results vary.

Apply before the blistering stage of a cold sore to prevent secondary bacteria infection.

Prevents secondary bacteria infection

Cost

Retail Pharmacy Price:
$24.99 / tube

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Temporarily relieves pain caused by cold sores and fever blisters

Benzyl Alcohol 10% ..Pain reliever

Varies among individuals. But may speed healing if cold sore is in the oozing stage by preventing secondary bacteria infection.

Good for the oozing stage of cold sore

Benzyl Alcohol may cause skin allergy

Expect some stinging when applied.

May make cold sore worse before getting better.

Retail Pharmacy Price:
$13.99 / tube

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Reduce the pain of cold sores and fever blisters

speeds healing process

Benzalkonium Cl 0.13% ..antiseptic
Benzocaine 7.5% ..Pain relief.

Expect full numbing action in about an hour.

 May reduce healing rate by a few days if used properly

Single use brush applicator

Only available from a dentist or dermatologist.

Available as a professional use from a dental or dermatologist office.

Dental Office Only