Is your lipstick toxic?

 By David Steinman, from Healthy LivingApplying potentially toxic lipstick chemicals to your lips does not make sense, especially when safe and healthy brands of lipstick, glosses and lip pencils are available. The suspect chemicals in lipstick may be absorbed into your body as you moisten your lips throughout the day.That is why health-conscious consumers should avoid products containing potential cancer-causing ingredients such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and sodium saccharin, as well as artificial colours including D&C Orange 5, D&C Orange 17, D&C Red 9, D&C Red 19, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Yellow, and FD&C Yellow 6; some artificial colours may be slightly carcinogenic, contain carcinogenic impurities in some batches, and, as a group, they are simply not part of a fully natural cosmetic product. What's more, contact dermatitis and irritation can also be caused by cosmetic pigments such as artificial colours. Dyes most likely to cause irritation include: D&C Orange 5; D&C Red 21; and D&C Red 27. Synthetic fragrances and lanolin may also cause allergies and irritation.Safe Use TipsIf you have dry or cracking lips, use lipsticks without artificial colours or lanolin.Natural lipsticks require special handling. Because they are softer and more moist, care must be taken to twist up only a small amount; because they melt more easily than most commercial lipsticks, they should not be left in a hot car or in direct sunlight. Certain colours (hot reds or bright oranges) cannot be as readily produced from natural colour pigments.

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