Are Your Lips In Danger? Know The Side Effects of Using Lipstick Regularly

• Opt for hydrating lipsticks that contain moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, or hyaluronic acid.

• Consider using a lip balm underneath your lipstick, especially during colder months when lips tend to lose moisture more quickly.

• Exfoliate your lips gently once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and encourage smoother lips.

2. Allergic Reactions and Sensitivity

Lipsticks, like many cosmetic products, contain chemicals that can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. Common allergens in lipsticks include fragrances, preservatives (like parabens), and certain colorants. Allergic reactions can lead to swelling, redness, irritation, or even a rash around the lips and mouth.

How to prevent it:

• Always perform a patch test before applying a new lipstick, especially if you have sensitive skin.

• Choose products labeled as hypoallergenic or suitable for sensitive skin.

• Avoid lipsticks with artificial fragrances or colours if you're prone to allergies.

3. Chemical Exposure

Many conventional lipsticks contain harmful chemicals like lead, parabens, phthalates, and artificial dyes. Over time, regular exposure to these substances could have detrimental effects on your health, particularly lead, which can accumulate in the body and is linked to neurological problems, especially in children and pregnant women.

How to prevent it:

• Opt for natural or organic lipstick brands that emphasize non-toxic ingredients.

• Check the ingredients list and choose lipsticks free from harmful chemicals like parabens, lead, and synthetic fragrances.

• Support brands that have transparency in their ingredient sourcing and testing.

4. Premature Ageing of the Lips

Frequent use of lipstick, particularly matte or long-lasting formulations, can contribute to the premature aging of lips. Lipsticks that contain drying agents can cause the skin to lose elasticity, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and a loss of fullness around the lips over time. Constant exposure to drying formulas may also make the lips more susceptible to sun damage.

How to prevent it:

• Apply a nourishing lip balm or treatment with SPF to protect your lips from the sun and prevent premature ageing.

• Choose lipsticks that are formulated with moisturising ingredients to maintain the suppleness of your lips.

• Avoid over-wearing long-wear or matte lipsticks without allowing your lips to rest with more hydrating formulas.

5. Ingestion of Lipstick Ingredients

While you may not actively consume lipstick, some of it inevitably gets ingested throughout the day, especially when eating, drinking, or licking your lips. This can lead to the ingestion of potentially harmful chemicals found in some lipstick formulations, such as heavy metals, preservatives, and artificial dyes.

How to prevent it:

• Opt for lipsticks that use natural, food-grade ingredients to minimise any risk of harmful ingestion.

• Refrain from reapplying lipstick too frequently without cleaning your lips, especially if you're eating or drinking.

• Be cautious with lip glosses or long-lasting formulas that may linger on your lips longer than traditional lipsticks.

6. Stained Teeth

A more superficial yet annoying side effect of wearing dark-colored or deep-toned lipsticks is the tendency for the color to transfer onto your teeth. This happens when lipstick smudges onto the inner surfaces of the teeth while you talk, eat, or smile, resulting in an unappealing stain that may be hard to remove.

How to prevent it:

• Opt for lipsticks that are less prone to transferring or choose formulas that promise to be "non-smudge."

• After applying lipstick, gently blot the inside of your lips on a tissue to remove excess product that may transfer.

• Regularly check your teeth in a mirror after applying lipstick to ensure no color has transferred.

7. Lipstick Contamination and Hygiene Issues

Since lipsticks are applied directly to the lips, they can easily accumulate bacteria from saliva, dust, and even the environment, leading to contamination. Using an old or unsanitized lipstick can also increase the risk of bacterial or fungal infections, such as cold sores or other lip-related conditions.

How to prevent it:

• Avoid sharing your lipstick with others to minimize the spread of bacteria.

• Clean the applicator regularly or use a disposable lip brush to apply the product.

• Replace your lipstick after 12–18 months of use to ensure you're using a fresh, hygienic product.

8. Darkening of the Lips

Some users of lipsticks may notice their lips gradually darkening over time, which could be a result of constant exposure to chemicals or pigments in the lipstick. The lips may appear dull, pigmented, or uneven in color, particularly when lipstick is not removed properly at night.

How to prevent it:

• Cleanse your lips thoroughly every night before bed to remove all traces of lipstick.

• Use nourishing lip treatments that help lighten pigmentation and restore natural lip color.

• If you notice your lips becoming darker or discolored, take breaks from heavy lipstick usage to let your lips recover.

Lipstick Brands in India Which Are Safe for Skin and Are Cruelty Free

In India, the demand for safe, skin-friendly, and cruelty-free beauty products has significantly increased. Below is a list of some popular brands in India that are cruelty-free, dermatologically tested, and use safe ingredients for the skin.

1. Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipstick - colorbarcosmetics.com - ₹1,499

Colorbar’s Velvet Matte Lipstick and Kissproof Lip Stain are popular choices. The brand uses safe, non-toxic ingredients, and many of its lipsticks are enriched with vitamin E and other nourishing agents.

2. Nykaa Cosmetics Superlight Feathertouch Lipstick – Nykaa.com - ₹749

Nykaa Matte to Last liquid lipstick and So Matte! lipsticks are best-sellers. Their lipsticks are free from harmful ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, and they prioritize skin-safe formulations.

3. Sugar Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipstick – Tirabeauty.com - ₹499

Sugar’s products are free from sulfates, parabens, and other harmful chemicals. The brand focuses on creating long-lasting, comfortable formulas with hydrating properties.

4. Plum Crumble Matte Lipstick – plumgoodness.com - ₹499

Plum is one of India’s leading brands for cruelty-free and vegan products. Their lipsticks are dermatologically tested and are free from harmful chemicals such as parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.

5. MyGlamm K.Play Flavored Lipstick – myglamm.com - ₹545

MyGlamm is a popular beauty brand in India known for being cruelty-free and offering a range of vegan and safe makeup products.

6. LoveChild by Masaba – Masaba Pocket Mini Lipsticks – lovechild.in - ₹999

Owned by the ace Indian designer, Masaba Gupta, this brand also provides safe, and cruelty free cosmetics and their lipsticks are must haves in your collection.

Image courtesy: Canva