Have you ever thought about it?
Putting on lipstick might be something of a daily habit, like brushing our teeth or combing our hair. But it might shock you to know just how many harmful chemicals you are being exposed to.
“In regards to lipstick we have researched and found that women will on average swallow 1kg of lipstick if you manage to work through 5 lipsticks a year between 16-60yrs of age. The chemicals that have been linked to cancer in those lipsticks are artificial colours, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), fragrance, plasticisers, talc, Teflon and formahldehyde.” Kim Morrison, Twenty 8 and Like Chocolate for Women
Kirsten McCullough, in her recent book, Less Toxic Living (download it for free here), also talks about chemicals in lipstick.
“Studies in the US by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and more recently by researchers at the University of California in Berkeley have found unexpectedly high levels of lead and other heavy metals in many lipsticks. These won’t be shown on any ingredients list, because they aren’t deliberately added: they originate as contaminants, mostly in colouring agents.
In addition to the possible heavy metal contamination, some ingredients that can be found in commercial lip balm that you may want to avoid are:
• petroleum jelly or mineral oil
• paraffin
• parabens, including parahydroxybenzoate, butylparaben,
methylparaben, propylparaben, and ethylparaben
• unspecified ‘fragrance’ or ‘flavour’
• oxybenzone
• butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
• diazolidinyl urea
• octinoxate/ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (this is a
sunscreen ingredient)
• propylene glycol
• menthol, camphor, phenol and alcohol.”
The problem with lipstick is that chemicals are absorbed directly into our bloodstream. Unlike when you eat food, there is no liver to bypass and help detoxify the toxins first. On top of that you have the potential cumulative effect of so many toxins in our body.
So, what is the alternative?
Well, you don’t have to give up lippy all together! You just need to be choosey about which one you will allow on your lips! Do your research, check ingredients and ask questions. I find the EWG Skin Deep Database an invaluable tool to investigate chemicals in cosmetics.
Here are my top three natural lipsticks.
1. Miessence Lip Cremes and Shimmer Cremes. A creamy matt formula with intense natural colour blends of pure mineral pigments. Find them online.
2. Inika Mineral Lipstick. A completely natural and vegan lipstick, Inika is formulated with natural shea butter and jojoba oil to moisturize your lip. Absolutely zero chemicals or animal derivatives. Find the Inika Mineral Lipstick here and their Lip Whips (like a lip gloss) here.
3. La Mav Tinted Lip Treatment. These are very clever as they combine an intensive hydrating lip treatment to moisturise and condition dry lips and intensive Bio-Active ingredients to help stop the visible signs of ageing on the lips. Oh, and they colour your lips too! Get them online.
What is your favourite natural lipstick? Are you concerned about chemicals in your lipstick?
Image courtesy of Marin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
This post contains affiliate links.
I really like Mama Going Natural’s lip gloss. Only a few recognisable ingredients, feels good and tastes nice.
I have heard a few people talk about this brand lately Sandra, I will have to check it out!! Thanks for the tip!! 🙂
I am very concerned about the chemicals in lipstick! I find it very disturbing and wish all my girlfriends will go natural here.I use Ere Perez and La Mav, but mostly just wear gorgeous lip balms these days. Love this post and will share. x
thanks Brenda!! I am not sure this info is in the mainstream or people are just not concerned! But with a daughter who is starting to want to wear a little lip gloss and such, it is really important to me that she isn’t ingesting lead!!
What about lip balm? I used to buy the Chapstick 100% Naturals that was just natural oils, but I can’t seem to find anyone that stocks it anymore. I’m almost out of the ones I have so need to find a good lip balm that isn’t going to be nasty to me. Any suggestions?
HI Glenda! Thanks for stopping by! My fave lip balm is from Mukti – she is a Sunny Coast mum with the most amazing range of skincare. Check it out – http://tinyurl.com/oj2b7lo
I’ve recently discovered Luk Beautifood, which I love and Innika.
Oooh! I have heard of that one! Will have to investigate – thanks for the tip sweets. xxx
All the chemicals in make-up freak.me.out. I’ve still got a way to go, but I’m slowly changing all my make up and body products to ones that are kind (to my body, the planet and the animals).
Lately I’ve been favouring an ‘au naturale’ look on my lips, and I find that if I drink enough water during the way they don’t get dry 🙂
I don’t use it a lot – that is the benefit of working from home!! But yes, just change one thing at a time! I also find the natural makeup is usually an Aussie small biz, so happy to give my money to them instead of a multinational that does animal testing!! uggh!
How lovely to click on your heading and then see my book quoted! I was going to add my two cents, but now I don’t have to 🙂
Thanks for the lippy recommendations too. I don’t wear it much, but nice to know there are some really good options.
Sorry to be so late with it, but better late than never I guess!! xxx
Honestly I had never even thought about that before.I so needed this wake up call thanks hun and will definitely be checking out some non toxic alternatives. xx
We will have you a NNAM in no time Sonia !! xxx Thanks for hosting the link up – I love getting to know some other bloggers not in my immediate circle!!
I read this and think goodness I’m only an occasional make-up wearer!!! x
Yes, I don’t wear a lot either – it’s great working from home! But pretty much all make up is quite toxic unless you seek out the natural stuff! :/