What contains your lipstick?

Lipstick is one of the most favorite beauty products of women worldwide. On average, women have at least 4 different colors of lipstick. We use it everyday, combine it with different clothes and styles, enjoy the effect of juicy and outlined lips. Have you ever wondered what contains this so commonly used cosmetic “friend”?

Usually when we buy a new food product we necessarily check its contents. We read everything, including the smallest letters and check the ingredients that we are not particularly familiar with. An interesting fact is that we don’t pay the same attention when it comes to cosmetics. This is a common problem, but we should be careful what we put on our skin and lips as well, especially considering the fact, that whatever you put on your skin is absorbed directly into your body through the blood.

First, I would like to reassure you that there are also good news. We all love our lipsticks and don’t want to throw them straight in the trash. The majority of the products of this type contain absolutely harmless or even beneficial to the organism ingredients. Most often there are castor oil or beeswax, which are 80% of its contents.

Crushed bugs

The pigment, which is used in red lipsticks is often made from crushed bugs. These bugs, found in cacti are boiled in a solution of sodium carbonate or ammonia, which pulls the red color out. Then they are being dried, crushed to a powder and added to the lipstick.

Fish scales

Guanine is a crystalline material, made from fish scales, which gives a shimmering or light-diffusing coloring effect to the lipstick. Yes, it may seem unbelievable that in the 21st century this is the only option, but the truth is that, there is still not found an alternative of this ingredient.

Lead

Although the use of lead in lipsticks was banned many years ago it still can be found in some lipsticks. This “ingredient” may be accumulated in the body and can lead to very serious neurological problems. Alarming is the fact, that from a study done in 2009, it appears that in all investigated lipsticks were found traces of lead.

Powdered chilli peppers

Another commonly used ingredient in lipsticks are powdered chilli peppers. Liquid lipsticks, promising more volume are containing the compound “capsaicin” which can only be found in chili peppers. Exactly from it comes the feeling of swelling and slight burning sensation that certain lipsticks leave after application. The capsaicin is not dangerous, but it can act very irritating to some more delicate skin types.

Methylparaben

Methylparaben is a preservative, which has been banned for use in the cosmetics by many European countries. However, it still can be found in the contents of some lipsticks in other countries. This ingredient is very rapidly absorbed by the skin and is often associated with the occurrence of cancer or problems with the endocrine system. Keep this in mind next time you are traveling and shopping.

Propylparaben

Propylparaben is a member of the family of parabens and preservatives and is often found in cosmetic products. It is believed that it is able to disrupt the hormonal system, irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions.

Tocopheryl acetate

This ingredient is used in cosmetics as an alternative of natural Vitamin E, because it is cheaper and lasts much longer. The risk of it for the skin is moderate, but it is known that it can cause irritation and even blisters.

Retinyl palmitate

The replacement of Vitamin A in cosmetics is also moderately dangerous, but some experts believe it may cause female infertility and even cancer.

Do you have to stop using lipstick?
If you take the time and look deeper, you will find harmful ingredients in everything we consume or use. As with everything, the key is in the moderation. Another option is to buy organic lipsticks, that have none of the hazardous ingredients.

Useful Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal
http://journal.scconline.org/pdf/cc2009open/cc060n04/p00405-p00414.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsaicin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylparaben
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinyl_palmitate#Uses