You probably won’t find organic lipstick in your local supermarket or at the corner drugstore. Actually, it’s not even that easy to find online.
You will come across some brands formulated without lead, cadmium and other heavy metals. (Amazingly, these substances are actually present in some lipsticks, and there hasn’t been a public outcry.)
But some of these “healthier” brands may contain other questionable ingredients, in addition to the organic plant-based compounds.
Among the things to watch for is titanium dioxide.
Titanium dioxide is the white stuff we may have seen slathered across a lifeguard’s nose when we were growing up. It makes a great sunblock and coloring agent, since it lends an opaque cast wherever it’s added.
However, the safety of titanium dioxide is being called into question.
The European Chemicals Agency believes titanium dioxide is potentially carcinogenic if inhaled in large quantities. I realize inhalation is different than putting something on your lips, or eating it. Just so you know, titanium dioxide is often added to processed foods.
But it’s still an unappetizing thought. Why expose yourself to a possible carcinogen if you don’t have to?
I wish lipsticks didn’t contain titanium dioxide. I wish more studies could be done to conclusively rule it out as a potential carcinogen.
However, given the choice between a lipstick that contains titanium dioxide, but doesn’t include parabens or artificial fragrances or petroleum byproducts, the better choice would be the first.
Where to Find Organic Lipstick
(This post contains affiliate links, and if you purchase anything I receive a referral fee, at no extra cost to you.)
After an exhaustive search, I found one lipstick brand that that mostly fits the description of “organic.” However, according to the company website, it may contain titanium oxide and iron oxides. Still, it appears to be one of the safer choices on the market. Even with the titanium oxide, which is another name for titanium dioxide.
Because the ingredient list doesn’t include heavy metals, petroleum solvents, parabens, BHT, dimethicone, lead, silicones or artificial fragrances.
Juice Beauty Conditioning Lip Color, as far as I can see, is comprised primarily of only natural plant-based colors and conditioning agents, such as organic blueberries, raspberries, acai and goji berries. (Plus the possible addition of titanium oxide.) When I wrote this post, I didn’t see that it came in a wide range of shades, other than the fig, shown below, and pink.
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Safe Lipsticks Without Lead
There is, however, another brand I can confidently recommend, even though it doesn’t fit the technical definition of organic. This is Ecco Bella and it comes in more than a dozen different shades. It’s designed to work as well as your regular lipstick, without flaking and cracking. You probably won’t be giving anything up, in terms of beauty, if you switch to this brand.
What you are giving up are all the chemicals and potential heavy metals. Ecco Bella lipsticks also do not contain gluten, artificial dyes, preservatives or fragrances. Other ingredients are castor oil, isopropyl palmitate, which is made from palm oil, Vitamin E, organic candelillia wax, organic calendula oil, organic chamomile oil and organic jojoba oil. The last ingredient is “flower wax coated iron oxides.”
Five of the Ecco Bella shades do contain a natural dye called carmine. This was the only controversial additive I could find. Carmine is derived from crushed insects. If you don’t like this thought, or you are a vegan, or have an allergy to cochineal extract, you may want to choose one of the shades without carmine.
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Out of all the lipsticks I researched, Ecco Bella seemed to be the most versatile. Although it is not certified organic, and doesn’t pretend to be, it does have some organic ingredients and contains nothing considered unsafe.
It really is scandalous that women’s beauty products continue to be made with potentially dangerous ingredients. I like to periodically warn my readers about this.
One thing I’ve learned, in my quest to regain my health, and recover from an incurable nerve condition, is that there’s a safer alternative for just about everything. This includes cosmetics. Once you make the switch, you’ll realize that plant-based beauty products work just as well as all the chemical-based products we’ve been conditioned to think we can’t live without.
Also, it’s really easy to make your own non-toxic lip balm with just a few ingredients. Then you know exactly what goes into it.
For Addition Reading
Non Toxic Liquid Foundation Makeup
Where to Buy Organic Hairspray
Titanium Dioxide Potential Cancer Risk
