Lip products are often one of the first things that people switch to toxin-free. Let's face it. What you're putting on your lips, you're likely eating too.
What's In Your Lip Balm, Lipgloss and Lipstick? Plus, Some Non Toxic Suggestions and Safe Swaps
Ingredients to avoid:
Parabens: (methylparaben, butylparaben, anything ending in -paraben)
Health concerns include: endocrine disruption, cancer, and developmental and reproductive toxicity. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has the best breakdown of research on parabens that I’ve found.
Synthetic Colors & Dyes: (FD&C Blue 1, Green 3, Yellow 5 & 6, Red 33):
Derived from coal tar
Health concerns include cancer and organ system toxicity
Butylated Compounds: Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Health concerns include: endocrine disruption, organ-system toxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity, cancer, irritation
Fragrance and Flavor: Fragrance, natural fragrance, parfum, flavor, natural flavor
A proprietary term that can hide over 3,00 individual chemicals within the term
Health concerns include: cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, allergies, sensitivities
Petrolatum: Petroleum jelly, mineral oil, paraffin oil
Byproduct of refining petroleum
Health concern: cancer. Could potentially be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Safer Options
