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Safer Lipstick Options: Simple Solutions

By Tania Reuben

With the Canadian government banning two common lipstick ingredients and questions surrounding lead and it’s use in lipsticks.

A guide to the safe selection of lipstick is in order.

The suggested choices have a maximum hazard rating of 4 in the EWG Cosmetics Database – 4 is on the low end of a moderate hazard rating(4-6). There were so many choices that rated 4 and under, it didn’t seem necessary to add hazards. Also, given that lipsticks are worn on our mouth – better safe than sorry.

Diva Top Picks:
NVEY Eco Organic Lip Lustre
Burt’s Bees Lipstick
Organic Wear Lip Veil & Organic Wear Lip Gloss

Other Options:
MAC Matte Lipstick, Glaze Lipstick, Satin Lipstick, Cream Lipstick and Frosted Lipstick
DuWop Shades of Venomn & Anti-Venom Satin
Bare Escentuals Lipsticks

Value Selection;
Covergirl Continous Color Cream & Covergirl Outlast All Day Lipcolor

Shop carefully – many of these companies have a number of lipstick offerings – pick another Covergirl Lipstick and you may be selecting a 7 or 8 on the EWG hazard rating.

To Look up your lipstick, see how it rates with EWG – click here.

{ 5 comments… add one }

  • Kathy Lee November 5, 2009, 1:39 am

    Miessence Lip Cremes from Organic & Natural Enterprise (ONE) Group are organic and also a safer purchase.

    Kathy

  • Kathy February 3, 2010, 12:28 am

    Just wanted to add that Miessence lip creams have a “0” score (the best, safest score) on the EWG Cosmetics Database. No lead in Miessence lip creams!

    Thanks for spreading the word. The amount of lipstick we end up eating in a lifetime is staggering, so you’re right, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

    Kathy

  • Jen March 19, 2010, 10:55 am

    So glad to see BE on there.Thanks for this list. Good to know!

  • Colin April 22, 2010, 4:34 am

    I can see why stories like this spread, but there really is nothing to worry about.  Lipsticks do not contain any more lead than the food you eat. 

    • Tania Reuben April 25, 2010, 10:41 pm

      While I’m no scientist – and I don’t think a few part per billion of lead is going to kill us in one dose. I do believe the accumulative affect of triclosan, parabens, lead, mercury and all the other toxic chemicals we encounter in our US beauty products is a genuine cause for concern in my opinion.

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