Do You Know What's In Your Lipstick?
Lipstick can change your whole day.
Your perfect shade can lift your mood and have you stepping into your greatness.
But what happens when I tell you that the lipstick you’re using is potentially harmful to your health?
Would you believe me?
Do you care?
Feeling good and looking good go hand in hand. You can’t have life without health.
Here are the facts...
The biggest threat when it comes to lipstick?
I will give you two words. Heavy metals.
What are heavy metals? They are naturally occurring elements. (how they come to be is super scientific, so I’ll let those interested google it… think supernova explosions & the input of energy). However, it’s the way we are exposed to these heavy metals and the human manipulation & handling that causes these elements to be harmful to us.
Heavy metals include elements such as arsenic, chromium, lead and mercury. Their toxicity levels are dependent on both the dosage amount and the way in which we are exposed, such as ingesting, inhalation or skin absorption.
Research has shown that most lipstick was found to have lead in it. It also revealed that lipstick was carrying up to eight other heavy metals - many of which I mentioned above.
To exacerbate the problem lead accumulates in the body, and per the CDC there is “no safe level”. Lead is known to cause learning, language and behavioral problems because it is a neurotoxin.
So even at low levels, these heavy metals are categorized as systemic toxins that are known to inflict multiple organ damage. In addition, some are classified as human carcinogens.
Chromium, for example, is often also found in lipstick and is a carcinogen associated with abdominal tumors.
When you factor in the daily use, the absorption, and the ingestion that comes with the territory of lipstick, this news is not just alarming, it’s downright dangerous.
To drive it home further, women reapply lipstick two to fourteen times a day. This results in the absorption of up to 87/mg a day, according to a study conducted by the University of California.
You might be wondering at this point, why you don’t see such metals listed in the ingredients of lipstick. But it’s not listed because it’s not “technically” an ingredient.
Heavy metals are contaminants in the pigments and in the base materials that go into lipstick.
Thus, creating another loophole based on lack of regulation and transparency.
Due to regulating laws being based back in 1938 (and none sense at that), the FDA has no legal authority to make sure products are safe. Read more here.
A few more ingredients you should watch for & why are:
Methylparaben - it has been linked to cancer and endocrine disruption. Fun fact the European Union restricts the use of this chemical because of the harm it causes.
Acetate - causes burning and blistering of the skin
Red22 - suspected to contribute to the toxicity of your nervous system
Propylparaben - known to cause skin & eye irritation, cancer and disrupt your hormone production
Petroleum - I mean.... The shine in lipstick is great and all but at the risk of ingesting a known carcinogen??
Paraffin - because it’s a petrochemical. Think car exhaust.
So, why am I telling you all this?
Because you can’t just monitor how often you’re using lipstick.
Unfortunately, we’re past that point.
You must (and I mean yesterday) choose safer.
Here are some options for you:
