I am a lip gloss/lipstick junkie. I can’t get enough of the stuff.  I have lipstick containers stashed everywhere-in the car, drawers, coat pockets, bathrooms.

What if I told you that lipstick on your lips could be making you sick? 

Study after study have found lead in leading brands of lipstick. And that’s not all. Studies have also found Cadmium, a carcinogen that has been found in breast cancer biopsies and shown to cause cancer cells to multiply in lab experiments. 

The big lipstick problem

Many of us work hard to keep toxic chemicals out of our bodies by buying organic food and reading labels.

Even if you’re a fabulous label reader you won’t find lead or cadmium listed on the lipstick label. Manufactures don’t actually use lead or Cadmium as an ingredient, they’re considered an impurity. That makes it next to impossible to avoid.

That’s why we need to put the pressure on retailers and demand that their lipstick be lead free.

What really worries me is the number of times during the day that I lick my lips or eat something while wearing lipstick. There’s no question that I could be ingesting lead!

Unfortunately the FDA thinks that the average level of lead found in lipstick poses no health risk. I disagree.

There’s NO safe level of lead exposure.

Lead is a well-known and proven neurotoxin that has been linked to learning, language and behavioral problems. The recent science indicates there is no safe level of lead exposure.

Here are my top picks for non-toxic lipsticks (with affiliate links): 

I’ve spoken with each of these companies and they’ve verified their lipsticks don’t contain lead.

NVEY ECO Organic Lipstick($21)

There are 16 different shades of this organic lipstick. The ingredients are certified organic and include jojoba oil, vitamin E and B and safflower oil. Good enough to eat!

Afterglow Cosmetics Organic Infused Lip Love Lipstick ($24)

After Glow Cosmetics are free of many of the synthetic preservatives, bismuth oxychloride, petro-chemicals, synthetic dyes and fillers found in traditional cosmetics. They are also lead-free.

Benecos Natural Lipstick and Natural Lip gloss (Lipstick $9.70 and Lipgloss $10.75)

I’ve been using this lipstick and lip gloss for quite sometime and I really like both. The lip gloss comes in fantastic colors and stays on well.

ILIA Lipstick  ($24)

Ilia is a great natural line without lead, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil or petrolatum. 

Gabriel Cosmetics ($17)

I’ve been using Gabriel Cosmetics for a few years and love their variety of colors. The stay power is also impressive-it stays on your lips a long time.

For a few more options take a look HERE.

REMEMBER: Just because a lipstick is ‘natural’ doesn’t mean it is lead-free. And just because a lipstick is lead-free doesn’t mean it’s free from other toxins. Read labels and do your homework before putting something on your lips.

Do you have a favorite lead-free lipstick?

Disclosure:  Some links are affiliate links meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may get a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your continued support!

photo credit: p-duke via photopin cc>