Beware of the Lipstick You Use, These Commercial Brands Contain Toxins that Can Seriously Harm You
The perfect shade of lipstick can
complete an outfit. We all have a drawer full of our favorite colors for
every season, and nothing is better than finishing off an ensemble with
a color that suits your complexion. But, some of your favorite brands
contain chemicals that can cause hormonal issues and increase your risk
of disease. Maybe that drawer-full of colors is not so great after all.
All You Need to Know About Your Lipstick
A study, conducted by the EWG, found
that more than a quarter of all women in the United States use at least
15 cosmetic products daily, many of which contain known carcinogens that
are linked to impaired fertility or developmental harm for a baby in
the womb or a child[1].
Understanding where your cosmetics
are coming from, and how to avoid the “nasty” ingredients will help you
look good, and feel better on a daily basis.
How Lipstick is Made
Ever wondered how it’s actually made
or what goes inside? Here’s a quick recap of the most common lipstick
manufacturing procedure:
- Pigment milling –
the desired pigment, or combination of pigments, are mixed together,
joined by oil and then ground up into tiny particles. This beginning
stage of the process is where the toxic chemicals are combined in order
to create the product that you know as lipstick.
- Combination of pigment phase into base wax –
the ingredients are mixed in a steam-jacketed kettle equipped with a
propeller agitator. After mixing, the liquid is then ground again
- Molding –
molding happens at specific temperatures to eliminate unwanted products
of fast-cooling. The lipstick is heated to 80 C and poured into
vertical split molds that are kept at a temperature of 35 C
- Cooling and Flaming –
the resulting lipstick is cooled and extracted from the molds to
prepare for flaming, which is the passing of the lipstick over several
open flames to melt small layers of gloss (which contains toxic
chemicals) around the lipstick. Flaming protects the lipstick from
outside air and influences[2].
The Ingredients to Avoid in Cosmetics
The law doesn’t require FDA approval
before a cosmetic product goes on the market, with the exception of
color additives[5]. That means that there are many products in your
local pharmacy or supermarket that may contain chemicals that are harmful.
The EWG has created a hazard rating
system, with 10 being high toxicity and 1 being mild toxicity. This
rating system helps us to see how unsafe the products that we are
putting on our skin actually are.
-
Metals (Lead)
Hazard Level: 10
At this point in time, we all know
that metals, especially lead, can be very harmful to us. Despite this,
they are still found in commercial lipsticks. The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration detected lead in 400 brands of lipstick tested by the
agency[4].
“There is no safe level of lead
exposure. The biggest concern is for pregnant women – lead is a potent
neurotoxin and the fetus and very young children are most at risk. Some
companies make lead-free lipsticks, and we think all companies
should.”[4] says Jane Houlihan, senior VP for research at Environmental
Working Group.
2. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing products
Hazard Level: 10
Formaldehyde is used as a preserving
agent in many cosmetic products. The International Agency for Research
on Carcinogens has classified it as a ‘carcinogen to humans’.
Formaldehyde can cause toxicity to the internal organs and increases the
risk of cancer.
Currently, there is no restriction on
levels of formaldehyde allowed in products, no requirement to test
products that contain it, and no obligation to notify consumers of its
presence[6].
3. Retinyl Acetate (Vitamin A Acetate)
Hazard Level: 9
While getting your vitamins is
usually considered a good thing, with this ingredient it is not. Retinyl
Acetate is a synthetic vitamin A ingredient with a high developmental
and reproductive toxicity. Pregnant women should not be exposed to this
product, as it can have serious effects on the mother and baby[7].
4. Fragrance
Hazard Level: 8
The word ‘fragrance’ or ‘perfume’
represents an undisclosed mixture of various scent chemicals. The
fragrance has been linked to allergies, dermatitis, respiratory
distress, and potential effects on the reproductive system[8].
5. Benzyl Benzoate
Hazard Level: 6
Benzyl benzoate is used as a solvent and preservative. It is associated with allergies and dermatitis[9].
Lipstick Brands to Avoid
The following are all common commercial brands that you may have
heard of, or maybe even have in your makeup drawer. They are all listed
on the
EWG as containing carcinogenic properties.
- Maybelline Color Sensational
- L’Oreal Colour Riche
- CoverGirl Queen Collection Vibrant Hues
- NARS Semi-Matte
- L’Oreal Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor
- Revlon Matte
- CoverGirl Continuous Color
- Stargazer Lipstick
- Sonia Kashuk Luxury Lip Color
- Avon Beyond Color
The Lipstick You Should Wear Instead
Although some of the big cosmetic
brands may be a no-no when it comes to safety, there is a way that you
can get your lips to look full and bright using much safer products.
There are a number of natural lipstick companies that are committed to
providing you with the best products for you, that also look great.
Mineral Fusion Lipstick
This fabulous lipstick brand is natural and smooth. You won’t have a
problem finding the perfect color to match your outfit because it comes
in a number of beautiful shades.
ZAO Organic Makeup
If you like a matte-finish look in your lipstick, try ZAO’s organic
lipstick as a safe alternative to the commercial brands on the market.
We love this product because it comes in a number of stunning shades and
a beautiful exterior design.
Earthlab Cosmetics – Vegan Lip Stick Cheeky
If you’re looking for a toxin-free lip liner than this product is for
you. This product is also completely vegan, so you can be happy knowing
that no animals were harmed in the curation of this product.
Alba Botanica – Hawaiian Clear Lip Gloss Coconut Cream
If you prefer a simple look, this clear lip gloss may be the best
option for you. It’s safe to wear, feels smooth on the lips, and has a
wonderful scent without adding chemicals and toxins.
PureFormulas – Dusty Rose Lip Gloss
If you like having a simple and nourishing product to moisturize your
lips without the bright colors, try PureFormulas lip gloss. This
product is perfect for anyone who enjoys a subtle look with a little bit
of pop.