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Every single minute, 1,484 tubes of lipstick are sold in the United States.[1] However, despite lipstick's popularity, environmental and consumer health consequences persist.

Ingredients that harm

On average, women who use cosmetics will consume 2 pounds of lipstick in their lifetimes, often ingesting harmful ingredients that also take a toll on the environment. For instance, many lipsticks contain mineral oil, a petrochemical that pollutes the environment during production by releasing hazardous chemicals into the air and water.

Some lipsticks also contain palm oil, the cultivation of which takes a significant toll on rainforest wildlife in Borneo and Sumatra, particularly orangutans.[2] A good alternative is castor oil-based lipstick, which is renewable and biodegradable, as well as lipstick made with lanolin or beeswax, whose production has a smaller eco-impact. However, lanolin can sometimes contain harmful contaminants, and vegetarian and vegan consumers should be aware that lanolin, beeswax, and carmine are animal byproducts.

In addition to petroleum-based oils, many conventional lipsticks also harbor preservatives, including BHA, a fragrance ingredient that has a negative impact on aquatic ecosystems and bio-accumulates in the tissues of organisms. BHA is one of the chemicals banned by the EU as a carcinogen and organ system toxin, but its use is still permitted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Lipsticks also sometimes contain parabens, known endocrine disrupters that are not only detrimental to human health, but are also destructive to animal hormones and development. Studies have found higher than normal levels of parabens in tumors from human breast tissue.

Finally, most lipsticks contain pigments used for coloring, especially lead acetates or coal-tar dyes, frequently labeled as FD&C and D&C colors. These two ingredients contain carcinogenic impurities, as well as toxins that can affect the brain and nervous system.

Lack of regulation

Lipstick is essentially regulated by the cosmetic companies themselves since the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act neither requires government testing of cosmetic products nor significantly limits cosmetic ingredients. The European Union (EU) has approved a cosmetic ingredient listing of over 1,000 prohibited substances, while the FDA list comprises only eight.

This has led to several grassroots efforts to standardize the health and safety criteria for the makeup industry. For example, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics encourages cosmetics and personal care companies to sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics pledge, which asks them to assess the environmental and health impacts of their products and to make changes in manufacturing processes when necessary. Skin Deep, a project of the Environmental Working Group (EWG), is an informative site for consumers to find out exactly what ingredients are in cosmetic products, including over 1,500 lipstick, lip liner, and lip gloss products.

Glossary

• BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole): A chemical preservative used in cosmetics and certain foods to prevent fats and oils from becoming rancid.
• carmine: A red pigment manufactured from the shells of cochineal beetles.
• lanolin: A byproduct of the wool industry, extracted from oil glands in sheep, that is used as a softening agent in cosmetics and personal care products.
• lead acetates: Highly hazardous metal compounds used in lipstick, hair dyes, and other hair styling products.
• palm oil: An edible vegetable oil used in various food and personal care products.
• parabens: A family of synthetic preservatives (which includes methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butyl-parabens).
• petrochemicals: Chemicals made from petroleum-based materials that are used in cosmetic products, plastics, pesticides, and foods.

External links

• Campaign for Safe Cosmetics - What you should know about chemicals in your cosmetics: Consumer Reports ShopSmart Winter 2007
• Eco-labels.org
• Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database
• The Green Guide - Product Report: Lip and Eye Makeup
• Organic Consumers Association/The Guardian UK - 20 Ways to Reduce Your Intake of Chemicals in Body Care Products
• US Food and Drug Administration - FDA Authority Over Cosmetics: What does the law say about cosmetic safety and labeling?