Green Beauty: 5 Zero Waste Lipstick Brands

☾⟠ ECO + ETHICAL ISSUES WITH LIPSTICK ⟠☽

I had heard about lead being found in L’oreal lipsticks, and also seen an article about Ontario-based research which analysed 49 popular makeup brands like Maybelline, Wet and Wild, L’oreal, Clinique ect.. for the presence of arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, beryllium, nickel, selenium and thallium (four of which are banned in Canada). They found all the toxins but mercury in every tested product (they tested all your drug store/department store brands). The effects of the toxins, which can be absorbed through the skin, is a worrying roll call of health problems, including hormone disruption, cancer, neurological problems, memory loss, mood swings, reproductive and developmental disorders, kidney problems, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, lung damage, dermatitis and hair loss.

solutions

Buy from brands who have a full list of ingredients which are completely natural and sustainably sourced. If you don’t know what one of the ingredients are, look it up on EWG or just google it to find out what it is and how it affects your health.

TWO: ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL USE

On top of the personal health issues, there are problems with where those chemicals we don’t ingest go. Cosmetics and personal care products are hugely harmful to the environment as they wash down our sinks and into the biosphere, finding their way into our lakes, rivers, streams, and public water systems, which affect us and our ecology. This is a really important thing for VEGAN’s to consider as well, as many products marked as being vegan contain the following chemicals, which actually harm animals. On top of GMOs, parabens, phenoxyethanol, nanoparticles, silicone, PEG, perfumes, and synthetic dyes which cause harm to our own health (ie// cause CANCER), there are other ingredients to look out for. P-phenylenediamine is a coal-tar derived chemical which diminishes animal plankton, alters fish behaviour, and causes death in many aquatic species. BHA and BHT, are synthetic antioxidants found in lipstick as well, which cause death in fish and shellfish. They’ve also been known to cause genetic mutations in amphibians.

solutions

Use the EWG or google to find out where it comes from, if it biodegrades, and whether it harms you, the planet or her inhabitants during its lifecycle.

THREE: GREENWASHING

Greenwashing doesn’t hold its place solely in the fashion industry. Just like the word ‘natural’ means nothing in the food industry, it also means nothing in the cosmetics industry as there is no governing body overlooking the use of that word.  As the demand for ‘natural’ ingredients has increased, as had the interest of big business in producing with natural ingredients – while this is a big win on the surface, but in actuality, it calls for more farming and mining at a cheaper price, which means increased use of pesticides (which cause health harms to the farmer, their community, and you) and exploitation of human rights.

solutions

Buy from smaller companies who produce with 100% natural products derived from renewable resources, sourced sustainably, and transformed by environmentally friendly processes. Only buy from companies who are kind and transparent. If you’re interested in a product and the company doesn’t list or can’t tell you how their ingredients were sourced, if they’re organic, or if they’ve used green processes in their production, ask them. If they can’t give you a straight answer, thank them kindly, suggest the changes you’d like to see them make and move on to a consciously produced product instead. 

FOUR: ANIMAL CRUELTY

It is no secret that the cosmetics industry tests their products on animals, nor is it a secret that it does so with cruelty. What we know less about is the ingredients like Carmine, which is made from smashed up beetles, and other such unkind ingredients. You can read more about the animal ingredients in cosmetics on PETA’s website HERE and decide what sits right with you, and what doesn’t.

solutions

LOOK for the cruelty-free symbol(s). You can click HERE to learn more about what symbols to look for and what they mean. Using products which are harmful to the planet and her inhabitants is completely avoidable. Vote with your dollar against the evils fo the cosmetics industry by supporting cosmetics which are kind!

FIVE: POOR PACKAGING

The cosmetics industry and personal care products, including lipstick, are mostly packed in plastic. Plastic is an oil derivative which is a non-renewable resource. It also doesn’t biodegrade and in many cases is very difficult to recycle.

solutions

Buy your products in biodegradable, reusable, recyclable, or zero waste packaging.

MY TOP 5 LIPSTICK BRANDS

FIVE: Kjaer Weis | Buy on their WEBSITE