I love lip gloss. One of the first “real” cosmetics I ever started using was Bonne Bell’s Lip Smackers. And while I constantly wore lipstick during my 20s, I’ve applied lip gloss all during my teen years and my 30s.
So when it comes to the safety of lip gloss, I’m curious. IS it safe? Since it doesn’t have the same look or feel as lipstick, could as many toxins be included?
To find out, I had to check the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. The EWG rated 1,071 different kinds of lip glosses and not all are as safe as I’d hope. While 212 different products are rated as low hazards, 744 are moderate hazards and 113 are high hazards.
Out of the 113 high hazards, 11 are rated at a 9 (10 is the most hazardous). What makes these 9 products – from philosophy, Sally Hansen, and Wet ‘n Wild – so toxic? Here are the four harmful ingredients:
Aluminum powder
A known toxicant to the human nervous, immune and respiratory systems, aluminum powder is a suspected nano-scale ingredient. (Potentially these micronized ingredients will be absorbed into your skin.)
Oxybenzone
A toxin to reproductive systems, oxybenzone disrupts the endocrine system, aggravates allergies, is toxic to organs, enhances skin absorption, causes changes on a cellular level, and is a bioaccumulant.
Propylparaben
Classified as a paraben, propylparaben is a known toxin to human reproductive, endocrine and developmental systems.
Retinyl Acetate
Restricted from use in Canada, retinyl acetate is toxic to your reproductive system.
Coming up
So where do my Bonne Bell Lip Smackers fall? You’ll find out in tomorrow’s post.
Talk back
Do you prefer lip gloss or lipstick? Why?
Latest posts by Hilary Kimes Bernstein (see all)
- The Day I Realized Healthy Choices Don’t Guarantee Health - July 21, 2015
- Avoid Synthetic Bug Sprays with All-Natural Repellents - July 16, 2015
- The Day I Learned I Could Cook Real Food - July 13, 2015
Leave a Reply