Natural Lipstick

The Benefits Of Natural Lipstick And Drawbacks Of Commercialized Counterparts

One reason you may want to use natural lipstick is that it doesn’t contain petroleum; mineral oils, chemicals, fragrances or artificial coloring. These all cause pollution in the process of manufacturing and have been indicated as harmful to humans in high quantities. Further, unlike food products, manufactures of highly commercialized lipstick brands don’t have to list ingredients because they are protected by a law regarding trade secrets. For example, the term “fragrance” tells you nothing about actual ingredients.

Essentially, the only things needed to make lipstick are coloring, wax and oil.

Starting with wax, natural lipstick is made of plant wax (such as candellila) or beeswax. The wax gives it a shape or stiffness. Next is oil - used in natural forms like sunflower or jojoba. This makes it spreadable. Colors are derived from pigments of naturally colored substances like beets, flowers, vegetables, herbs and spices, or minerals. Although it may sound odd, color may also be derived from crushed beetles.

If a lipstick is not safe to eat, it is not natural and therefore may harm you, and/or harm the environment.

The benefits of natural lipstick in addition to being environmentally friendly, are the absence of harmful ingredients that can dry or chap your lips. Some commercial ingredients are thought to cause health problems, including cancer. One of the top commercial brands had over 30 ingredients, as listed by the Federal Drug Administration, with names you would only know if you were an advanced chemist. Some of the listed ingredients obtained from the FDA were: ammonia, acetate, and ethanolamine - which may be used in dry cleaning solvent. Conversely, substances in natural lipstick, such as shea butter, castor oil, and vitamin e, help to soften, condition and preserve the skin on your lips, as well as adding plumpness, for that sexy pout, and the wet look which is currently popular.

One intriguing natural lip product is called lip ink. It is a package of 3 products. First you apply a substance that buffs your lips, called “off”, then the ink, and finally the moisture coat. It is reported to stay on all day, and the “off” is also used to remove it. This unique lip makeup comes in many colors.

Considering that you eat about four pounds of lipstick in a lifetime if used regularly, it would seem logical to use only natural brands. Why would you want to eat lead, plastic, and ammonia? Sunflower oil, beets and vitamin E sound much more palatable and healthful!

Natural lip glosses and colors range in price from about $8 to $40, which is quite pricy but considering the alternative, it seems well worth it.

Some other ingredients that may be harmful and should not be in any lipstick that calls itself natural are:


Palm oil, which is known to destroy rainforests in the process of growing and harvesting of the palm oil


BHA, which is banned in the EU because of its carcinogenic properties that can cause health problems in some individuals or in high amounts


Parabens, which have been found in, breast tumors.