Ancient Sumerians, 5,000 years ago, were known to crush gemstones and apply them on their lips, while ancient Indians used betel leaves to get red-plump lips. Throughout history, different cultures and civilisations devised various methods to enhance their lips’ appearance via lipstick.
Cut to the modern era, despite the ever-changing beauty landscape, lipsticks remain a constant. They are now available in an extensive range of colours, textures, and formulas. Long-lasting, matte, glossy, satin, and liquid lipsticks are just a few examples of diversity in the market.
Is it okay to wear lipstick everyday?
A lipstick is not worn just for its colour. For many people, it brings out a persona they prefer within themselves. For Mangaluru-based student recruitment manager at Uniabroad, Andrea Vanessa Cutinha, 26, lipsticks are for boosting self-confidence. She is not alone; many beauty enthusiasts associate deep positivity with cosmetics.
However, as we might already know, there is a negative side to using cosmetics. “Regular use of lipsticks can present certain risks, such as dryness, chapping, or allergic reactions to certain ingredients. Additionally, there may be concerns about the transfer of potentially harmful chemicals from lipsticks to our bodies,” warns Dr Jake Woods, clinical dermatologist, and consultant at Gya Labs, USA.
Beryl Priyanka, an aviation electrical designer in Austria, used to love wearing lipstick daily. “When I wore them everyday, for long hours, for over 18 months, without checking its brand or legitimacy for long periods, I started developing a severe lip allergy,” says the 26-year-old.
Clearly, they can have adverse effects on health. This happens due to the presence of certain synthetic compounds like lead, dyes, parabens, and artificial fragrances. “Phthalates, another toxin found in the formulations, has been linked to hormone disruption,” adds Dr Jake Woods, clinical dermatologist, and consultant at Gya Labs, USA.
“If used frequently and in high doses, depending on the type of toxic ingredients used in their manufacturing process, lipsticks could be carcinogenic,” Dr Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, a UAE-based dermatologist and co-founder of poweryourcurls.com points out.
Therefore, it is crucial for consumers to be informed about the potential health risks associated with wearing lipstick.
Using lipstick
It is always best to adhere to the product’s expiration date and discontinue use if there are any adverse reactions. According to Dr Woods, the long-term safety of using it depends on the formulation and individual skin sensitivity.
Cutinha, who uses lipstick daily, has had a positive experience since she began researching and selecting cosmetics from reputable brands. On the other hand, Priyanka has had to tackle pigmentation, chapped lips, and allergies even after having used branded lipsticks. As a result, she now uses them only once or twice a week, preferring cruelty-free, lead-free, and unscented, natural lipsticks that suit her better.
Herbal lipstick formulation
Lipsticks that are labelled 100 per cent free of synthetic ingredients might still contain minute traces of synthetic compounds. Usually, this is a marketing tactic or at the very least an analysis error. It is essential to thoroughly examine the ingredients list to ensure they meet safety standards. Certified organic lipstick might be a safer choice for many.
Ingredients to look out for
Every shade of lipstick might have a story to tell: one bold, one bright, one soft and another sweet. However, it is crucial for consumers to be wary of what it could mean for their health in the long run. It is advisable to do sufficient research on the ingredients present before we buy them.
Read more: Nature’s sweet solution: Honey for skin care
