Totopheryl acetate can cause skin allergies, irritation, and has also been linked to increased cancer risks. The chemicals that make up the fragrance in lipsticks also come with risks to our health. These range from causing skin allergies, irritant skin, to possibly exasperating existing breathing conditions, such as asthma.

One of the main problems with lead is that it is a neurotoxin so is especially harmful to the brain. While some companies may argue that the level of led in lipstick is negligible, experts have confirmed that there is actually “no safe” level of lead: Low amounts can cause weakness, increases in blood pressure, and anemia; higher exposure can severely damage the brain, kidneys, and other organs—and it can be life-threatening. These are just a few of the many chemicals that are harmful to the human body.

How can these chemicals in lipsticks affect the environment?

The chemicals used in lipsticks aren’t just bad for us but also cause damage to our environment. These chemicals have been found in seas and oceans, and even in the bodies of marine animals, and can end up harming or killing marine life. Fragrances too have been found in our waterways, as the chemicals are not easily broken down, and so end up filtering through waste systems until they reach our seas and oceans.

Aside from these toxic chemicals, other ingredients can also do harm to the planet. For example, the red dye in some lipsticks is made from crushed beetles. The dye is extracted from an insect species found in Central America, and ‘70,000 of these beetles are killed to produce just one pound of dye’. 

Another example is the use of palm oil in many lipsticks, a well-known contributor to mass deforestation. Palm oil is mainly harvested from rainforests, and due to huge demand, developers will clear swathes of land for palm oil plantations. The process of clearing land both releases masses of greenhouse gas through the cutting down of trees, and destroys many animal habitats.

And it isn’t just the ingredients of lipsticks that are harming the environment, but the production and packaging processes too. Most lipsticks are made up of plastic, and with the world going through a huge plastic pollution problem, this is a big issue. The cosmetics industry is a lucrative business and has grown massively over the years, and has become quite reliant on the use of plastics. 

The packaging industry for beauty and personal care products makes up nearly £20.00GBP billion in sales worldwide. And alongside this growth in sales, the industry plastic footprint has exploded. The amount of plastic packaging on U.S products has increased by over 120 times since 1960. And where does this all go? Nearly 70% of it goes to our ever-increasing landfills.

The chemicals used in lipsticks aren’t just bad for us but also cause damage to our environment. These chemicals have been found in seas and oceans, and even in the bodies of marine animals, and can end up harming or killing marine life. Fragrances too have been found in our waterways, as the chemicals are not easily broken down, and so end up filtering through waste systems until they reach our seas and oceans.

Aside from these toxic chemicals, other ingredients can also do harm to the planet. For example, the red dye in some lipsticks is made from crushed beetles. The dye is extracted from an insect species found in Central America, and ‘70,000 of these beetles are killed to produce just one pound of dye’. Another example is the use of palm oil in many lipsticks, a well-known contributor to mass deforestation. Palm oil is mainly harvested from rainforests, and due to huge demand, developers will clear swathes of land for palm oil plantations. The process of clearing land both releases masses of greenhouse gas through the cutting down of trees, and destroys many animal habitats.

But it’s not all doom and gloom!

There are brands out there who are looking out for us and the planet, in giving us clean and sustainable alternatives, and one of these is Le Rouge Français.

Le Rouge Français is a plant-based make up brand, and was founded in October 2018 by Élodie - a biotechnology engineer with a love for makeup. Whilst pregnant, Élodie wanted to continue wearing lipstick but was aware of the chemicals and toxins in many lipsticks, and couldn’t find any safe alternatives for her in her pregnancy, and so she set out designing her own. And Le Rouge Français was born.

And not only are they focused on clean ingredients in their products, but also on making sure they aren’t contributing more to the world’s waste problem. Their ingredients are sourced ethically, and their lipstick cases are made from vegetable oil and are refillable. So, if you buy one of their lipsticks, you just keep your empty tube, and then can refill it with whichever colour you want!

So, what’s in the La Rouge Francais lipsticks? Well, they’re made up of a mixture of plants, waxes, and oils. Some plants and fruits, called tinctorial plants, contain strong pigments in them that can be used as colourants or dyes. Dyer’s Madder, a plant that is rich in active compounds such as minerals and tannins, is used, which gives the lipsticks their red hue. To protect against anti-aging and UV, tomato lycopene is used. Lipsticks need that moisture and shine to them, and that’s where carnauba, candelilla, and rice bran wax come in. Rice bran wax also gives the lipsticks their resistance to heat. Castor oil, which is rich in Vitamin E, and shea butter are also used for hydration and conditioning qualities.