Ever wonder whether your beauty products are actually safe to use?
Makeup—as much as you love it—are not always friendly to the skin. Some of our favourite cosmetics contain harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients that are linked to adverse health impacts after long-term use.
The same holds true for the seemingly innocent lipstick. Studies show that about 61% of conventional lipsticks have lead content and those who apply it 2-3 times daily can ingest a considerable amount of contaminants, including lead.
Because there’s little to no regulation in the beauty industry, we are left to figure out which products are safe to use. Let’s take a look at some of the ingredients you should avoid when you’re shopping for a new, bold, red lipstick.
1. Parabens
Paraben is a chemical used as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products. Its structure is similar to estrogen and is known to increase the risks of breast cancer, even in small amounts. If you find a lipstick with ingredients that list paraben as a suffix (e.g. Benzylparaben, Propylparaben, etc.), do not buy it.
2. Petroleum and Other Petroleum-Based Products
Many lip products use petroleum as their base. While it locks in moisture in the lips and prevents the product from forming clumps, it may also clog the pores, which may result in an unhealthy buildup on the skin. It may also cause premature ageing and increase the risks of cancer.
3. Lead
Lead is a heavy metal and a byproduct of some lipstick ingredients during the manufacturing process. It doesn’t show up on the ingredient list yet it is found in a wide range of lipsticks, both affordable and high-end. Long-term and high levels of exposure to lead can result in a host of health problems such as brain damage, infertility, miscarriages, and seizures. It’s also possibly carcinogenic, too.
4. Artificial Fragrances
Fragrances in lipstick are not regulated, which means manufacturers are not required to reveal what they use. Although it’s not a necessary ingredient, it’s welcome to break the unpleasant smell of lipstick. It may, however, cause a few problems such as hormone disruption, skin rashes, and migraines.
5. Synthetic Dyes
Without dyes, there would be no diversity in our lipstick colours. However, many of the commercially available lipsticks use synthetic dyes that are derived from petroleum-based products. They not only cause increased sensitivity and irritation but are also absorbed into your body where they accumulate and cause even greater damage in the long run.
For the longest time, the cosmetics industry has argued that toxic substances in lipsticks are not a source of concern because the dose per application is low. But, what’s being ignored is the issue of long-term exposure.
Chemicals like lead build up in the body over time. So, while some harmful ingredients may seem insignificant at first, cumulative exposure to them may end up in bad results.
When buying products that make you look and feel good, it’s better to avoid ingredients that can do lasting damage. Your best bet is to find a lipstick that is safe for you and the environment.
What are your thoughts about these toxic ingredients found in lipsticks?
Most women love wearing lipsticks, and for good reason. But the burning question is ‘are they good for you’? On this Lipstick Day, we’ll tell you all about why you must regulate the use of lipsticks, because they could have potentially harmful side-effects. Read on to know more.
Lipsticks are truly a woman’s best friend, or that’s what most of us have been made to believe! They instantly add colour to your face, and make you look ravishing within minutes. Let’s just say they work as the perfect pick-me-up, but are they good for you? Yes ladies, most of us have barely paid attention to this fact. After all, there has to be a reason why these long-lasting lipsticks stay on for SO long? Or why is it that the colours are so perfect?
These are some pertinent questions, and we’re here to tell you all. A study by the Berkeley School of Public Health at the University of California revealed that most lip glosses and lipsticks available today contain harmful levels of chromium, lead, aluminium, cadmium and several other toxic materials.
What’s more, the study also noted that continuous exposure to these levels could lead to a long-term health issue, especially in those people who apply lipstick more than two to three times in a 24-hour period. And with regular use comes the risk of receiving excessive amounts of chromium, which is linked to the occurrence of abdominal tumors.
Phthalates are harmful for the endocrine system.
The presence of lead causes several long-term health risks.
Polyethylene glycols are also present in cream-based products, and pose health hazards for your nervous system.
Parabens are commonly found in lipstick and can easily penetrate into the skin. They are known to cause several side-effects, including depression and diarrhea.
1. They cause toxicity in the body
By now we know the number of toxic ingredients in lipsticks, so it’s highly likely that your body will absorb these toxicities. In fact, without even realising, women sometimes ingest these materials. Always look at the ingredients before you buy lipsticks. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
2. They are the cause of several skin allergies
Have you found yourself with a sudden rash on your lips or itchiness around the lip area? Well, now you know why! That’s because lipsticks have a chemical called bismuth oxychloride for preservation. This ingredient is carcinogenic, so beware!
3. They can even cause cancer
No, we are not kidding! Since most of the ingredients are carcinogenic in nature, the likelihood of getting cancer from lipsticks is high. In fact, the chemicals used to preserve lipsticks cause several health issues like coughing, eye irritation, wheezing and other allergies. In extreme cases, cancer can happen.
4. They cause changes in the endocrine system
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PERSONALISE NOWFor the unversed, lipsticks contain petrochemicals, which can cause major changes in the endocrine system. And if that happens, your body undergoes several issues in your cognitive and reproductive abilities.
5. They could cause renal failure
In extreme cases, renal failure can also happen, as a consequence of using lipsticks regularly. This is because of the large quantities of cadmium present in lipsticks. Stomach tumours are also another issue that can happen, due to the presence of this toxic chemical.
Dark coloured lipsticks have a higher content of these toxic chemicals
Always apply petroleum jelly before applying the lipstick. It can provide your lips with a layer of protection and minimise the damage
Try and go for toxin-free or natural lipsticks
Avoid wearing lipsticks during pregnancy. They can also cause miscarriage, when ingested
Do not wear lipsticks for more than 2-3 times a week