Lipsticks are cosmetic products that are used mainly by women to enhance their lips. Lipsticks have been used since medieval times by women to apply color to the lips and make them stand out. Lipsticks are basically used to enhance the beauty of the face and to make one look more attractive. There are many colors and types of lipsticks that are available these days.
Lipsticks basically contain oils, wax, antioxidants and emollients. Wax gives the lipsticks their solid structure. Various types of wax can be used in lipsticks like beeswax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax. Lipsticks also contain olive oil, mineral oil, lanolin, cocoa butter and petrolatum. All these give a shine to the lipsticks. Most lipsticks contain pigments and lake dyes that give color to the lipsticks.
Based on their content, lipsticks are divided into the following types:
- Matte lipsticks contain filling agents like silica but no emollients.
- Crème lipsticks have more wax content as compared to oil content.
- Sheer and long lasting lipsticks contain more oil.
- Long lasting lipsticks contain silicone oil that sticks the lipstick to the lips.
- Glossy lipsticks contain more oil to give a shine to the lips.
- Shimmery lipsticks contain mica, silica and synthetic pearl particles that give the lips a glittery and shimmery finish.
Benefits of using lipsticks
Though lipsticks are mainly used as a makeup ingredient to make one look more beautiful, you may be surprised to know that it does have some health benefits. Some of the benefits of lipsticks are:
- Lipsticks add to the beauty of the face of the wearer. No matter what lip color has been applied, lipsticks bring a drastic change on the face of the person and make one stand out in the crowd.
- Lipsticks act as hydrating agents for the lips. Lips are a very sensitive part of the face and if proper care is not taken of lips, these become chapped and give a very ugly look to the face. Lipsticks contain moisturizing additives like Vitamin E and C and even Aloe Vera and so keep the lips hydrated.
- Lipstick acts as a sunscreen for the lips. Most people worry about protecting the face from the harmful rays of the sun but do not bother about the lips. However, lips also need to be protected from the sun. Lipsticks contain sun protection ingredients that protect the lips from sun, wind, and other harmful effects like ageing and drying.
- Lips have a different structure from that of other body parts. The lips lack melanin that protects the skin from ultraviolet rays. Thus wearing lipsticks that have sun protection ingredients can prevent one from skin cancer. Lipsticks with SPF 15 or higher protect the lips from skin cancer. On the other hand glossy and shimmery lipsticks do not do so. In fact, glossy and shimmery lipsticks attract harmful radiations.
What are the harmful effects of wearing lipsticks?
Lipsticks contain some chemicals which may have harmful effects on the health of a person. Some of these harmful contents and their effects are:
- Lipsticks contain heavy metals like cadmium, chromium and magnesium which can cause dangerous diseases and organ failure. It is believed that excess quantities of cadmium get stored in the kidney and may lead to renal failure. If lipstick is applied and re- applied many times a day, it may lead to stomach tumors.
- Lead is found in high quantities in most lipsticks. Lead is considered to be a neurotoxin and affects the nervous system. It also causes brain damage and can be a leading factor for infertility and hormonal imbalance.
- Petrochemicals are used in the manufacturing of lipsticks. Petrochemicals can cause a disruption in the functioning of the endocrine system. This in turn has harmful effects on the growth, development, intelligence and reproduction capabilities of a person.
- Formaldehyde and mineral oil are also harmful ingredients of lipsticks. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen that causes wheezing, coughing, irritation of eyes and the skin. Mineral oil blocks the pores and cause skin allergies and irritation.
Precautions:
When using lipsticks, care should be taken to read the application directions. It is also essential to make sure that the quality of lipstick being used is good as low quality products can be very harmful for the health.
