Is Your Lipstick Safe Enough To Lick Your Lips?

Photo by  Nesster

     I don't know about you, but I used to have more lipsticks than any other piece of makeup.  I had just about every color too for going with different outfits and looks.  It was also an inexpensive way to get your retail fix since there was always something new.  One thing I didn't do was check the ingredients.  I didn't even think about whether it was safe or not.  I just trusted that if it was being sold that it must be safe.  Boy was I fooled and too trusting. 



Photo by Shawn Rossi



I've since realized that if a truck spilled it's contents of lipstick the haz mat team would have to be called in.  Kind of like when you hear of a train crashing that was full of some food item and they have to evacuate half the town because of poisonous fumes.






Here is what you would see in a 2006 Formulation of a Revlon Lipstick.  As seen on the EWG sight Skin Deep.  It has a rating of 9.  Scary isn't it?

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: PADIMATE 0. INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: LANOLIN OIL, CASTOR OIL, CETYL ACETATE, OCTYL HYDROSTEARATE, CANDELILLA WAX, OCTYL PALMITATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL RICINOLEATE, CERESIN, PARAFFIN, ACETYLATED LANOLIN ALCOHOL, CARNAUBA, PVP/HEXADECANE COPOLYMER, VITAMIN E ACETATE, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, ROSE HIPS SEED OIL, FRAGRANCE, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, BHA. MAY CONTAIN: MICA, IRON OXIDE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, D&C ORANGE NO. 5, D&C RED NO. 21 ZIRCONIUM LAKE, FD&C YELLOW NO. 6 ALUMINUM LAKE, D&C RED NO. 27, D&C RED NO. 27 ALUMINUM LAKE, FD&C YELLOW NO. 5 ALUMINUM LAKE, FD&C BLUE NO. 1 ALUMINUM LAKE, D&C RED NO. 6 BARIUM LAKE, D&C RED NO. 21, D&C RED NO. 6 CALCIUM LAKE, D&C RED NO. 7 CALCIUM LAKE, D&C RED NO. 33 ALUMINUM LAKE, D&C ORANGE NO. 5 ZIRCONIUM LAKE, BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE.

Here is an updated version of the same brand, different color with a rating of 2

Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Ozokerite, Polybutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C10 30 Cholesterol/Lanesterol Esters, Bis Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate 2, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Paraffin, Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Synthetic Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Serica Poudre de Soie (Silk Powder), Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, 1, 2 Hexanediol, Mica, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 27 Lake (CI 45410), Red 33 Lake (CI 17200), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 15850), Carmine (CI 75470)

Now I have to tell you, even though the second lipstick is safer, I somehow look at these ingredients and have a really hard time believing that.  Let's now find one that we will feel better about putting on our lips. 




Photo by  violet monde

 
Now here's the ingredients of a popular organic brand of lipstick:

Complete Ingredient List: simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) seed oil*, barbadensis (organic aloe) leaf gel*, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel*, cera alba (organic beeswax)*, candilla wax (wildcrafted), tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), vitis vinifera (organic grape seed) extract*, punica granatum (organic pomegranate seed) extract*; May contain [+/-] iron oxide (77491, 77492, 77492, 77499), mica, titanium dioxide (77891)
*certified organic


     Quite a difference isn't there?  On the other hand, after I saw the price I guess that cancels out any inexpensive retail therapy.  But then again, having been trying to simplify my life, not spend or buy anything more than what's really needed then perhaps it's not too bad of a price.  I shop around a lot until I find what I need, with the right ingredients, and a price that won't break the bank.   

     I hope I've given you something to think about.  There seems to be a large variety of products for your lips that is effective and safe.  Even if your little one does get into your makeup, it might be ruined, but you won't worry about calling poison control.    

Links of Interest:

organiclipstick101.blogspot--Ten Reasons To Use Organic Lipstick

ecolips.com/store-One of my favorites, including some for kids, all safe. 

albabotanica.com-I got mine on sale at Walgreens, can be found in most stores.

badgerbalm-I've really liked every badger balm product I've tried so far.  I look for them on sale.  We use the sunscreen and it's great, safe for little ones.  Their lip products have great ingredients.

100percentpure-I know I've put this fruit makeup link already, but I keep ending up at their site, so I've joined their mailing list, hopefully they will have some specials coming up. 

This next link is the FDA.Gov web page, straight from the "horses" mouth so to speak.  Yeah, it's boring stuff, but after looking at Snopes, and the metal ring myths to tell if there is lead in lipstick, why not look here.  They only govern the colorings in makeup, and it looks like there is an allowable limit of lead.  Even if it's okay and allowed now, what about down the line, or the kids.  With so many great products, there is no reason for this.

http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/ProductInformation/ucm137224.htm