Last Updated on December 17, 2020
Congratulations! I hope everything goes well while you’re expecting.
I’m glad to see you’re looking for the best pregnancy-safe lipstick today.
Lately, we’ve been writing about brands of makeup that are safe during pregnancy.
We’ve also covered skincare products for expectant mothers.
But lipstick is a special case. It’s crucial to pick a non-toxic product because it absorbs into your system.
Let’s talk about which lipstick is best for pregnant women.
Contents
When you choose lipstick, you’re probably looking for color, texture, and how long it wears.
You might not be thinking about the ingredients.
As an expectant mother, you’re shopping for two people. Everything that goes in or on your mouth will make its way into your baby’s system, too.
Now, it’s essential to select lipstick that’s free of chemicals that could impact your baby’s health.
For example, any kind of retinoid is on the forbidden list (1).
Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A. They are linked to severe birth defects.
Unfortunately, they are standard anti-aging and anti-acne ingredients under various names like retinyl palmitate, retinol, and retinoic acid (2).
Next, it’s good to avoid parabens (which include propyl, butyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, and methyl). These are preservatives that impact the endocrine system.
Also, products with artificial fragrances often have phthalates, another unnecessary chemical.
And it’s not a bad idea to skip chemical sunscreen filters in favor of mineral sunscreens. In other words, stick to lipstick with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to protect against sunburned lips (3).
Well, essential oils are natural ingredients. But some of them (like rosemary and tea tree) may trigger premature contractions (3).
Natural ingredients aren’t necessarily better if they cause you allergic reactions, either.
What’s more, there still lead to worry about.
It was found in over 400 lipstick brands tested by the FDA just over a decade ago (4).
Those brands included big names that we all tend to trust.
That’s scary when the typical woman may touch up her lipstick two dozen times a day.
The lead appears in cosmetic dyes. The same pigments may also contain heavy metals like cadmium. These are contaminants not intentionally included in the formula.
Lead and heavy metals don’t just wash out of the body – they accumulate in the tissue and can poison the fetus.
It’s hard to avoid toxins like these if you love rich reds and browns colors that are shimmery or glossy. On the other hand, lip balms and matte shades of lipsticks tend to be safer.
Thankfully, there are still many safe lipsticks to use during pregnancy. Feel free to discuss possibilities with your OB/GYN, too.
Ecco Bella is an American company that’s almost three decades old. Their mission is to produce clean beauty products designed by science and based on extensive research. Everything they offer is ethically-made and cruelty-free.
Choose from more than two dozen shades, including almond, mauve rose, and sangria.
Each color is all-natural, with no synthetic dyes or fragrances in the formula. Also, each one is free of parabens.
The lipstick heals flaking and chapping with coconut and castor oil plus flower wax. It also has calendula and comfrey, which give it a pleasant scent.
Go organic with another American-made product. This lipstick is cruelty-free, gluten-free, and has no GMO ingredients.
It’s also free of propylene glycol, petrochemicals, and parabens.
It was designed by a team composed of a dermatologist, a makeup artist, and an environmentally-conscious entrepreneur. Their company mission statement shows that they’re aware of how important it is to put pure ingredients on the skin.
When their lipstick is described as semi-matte, it means that it has a soft satin finish. It feels weightless, yet it hydrates dry lips.
The wide selection of vibrant colors suits every skin tone.
Like many natural lipsticks, it’s based on castor oil, plant wax, beeswax, and jojoba.
If you’re looking for pregnancy-safe makeup brands, BaeBlue is a popular choice. It’s an American company that creates non-toxic cosmetics. Their makeup is kind to the environment, too.
Each product is tested by third-party labs in clinical trials to see how it performs before it goes on the market. That way, it’s a pretty sure bet that it’s worth buying.
BaeBlu’s lipstick is entirely free of lead, gluten, and parabens. The formulation is safe for both children and expectant moms.
All the color comes from natural mineral pigments as there are no artificial ingredients at all.
And how can you resist this formula? It nourishes lips with coconut oil, avocado, mango butter, and superfruit from Brazil.
Jessica Alba’s The Honest Company won’t manufacture products with harsh chemicals. They don’t include artificial colors, perfumes, phthalates, or parabens. Everything they make is also cruelty-free.
Dermatologists on staff test the makeup for common allergens as well.
Therefore, it’s not surprising that Honest Beauty won an award for this lipstick from Allure in 2019.
Not only is it non-toxic, but it’s also highly pigmented. That’s great news if you lick your lips a lot and hate to reapply. It wears surprisingly long.
While you wear it, hyaluronic acid and avocado oil keep your lips soft.
Choose from eight shades, all of which are vegan. Their satin finish is attractive but not flashy.
Don’t you hate it when your lipstick breaks? Then, try this lip crayon.
It comes in eight shades with a matte finish.
The creamy texture softens the lips with murumuru butter, raspberry, and jojoba oil.
How about 23 colors to choose from? This brand of makeup has a shade to suit every occasion.
It’s based on organic ingredients and certified gluten-free. The vegan formula doesn’t have parabens, either.
Castor, sesame, and sunflower seed oil nourish dry lips while candelilla wax seals in moisture. Users say that the rich pigments retain color for hours.
Here’s natural lipstick from New Zealand. It’s available in twenty-five shades, from nudes and pinks to reds and plum colors.
It’s designed by a company that understands how essential it is to avoid nasty chemicals. As they point out, women consume about five pounds of lipstick over their lifetime.
Therefore, their non-toxic lipstick is free of parabens, mineral oil, and so on.
Instead, it’s naturally nourishing with evening primrose oil, avocado oil, carnauba wax, cinnamon, and sweet orange.
As you might imagine, it has a delicious fragrance. Fortunately, it’s long-wearing, even if you lick your lips a bit.
If you like natural products, you probably know about Burt’s Bees. They make at least three kinds of lipstick, including this glossy version.
Of course, all of them are cruelty-free, although they aren’t vegan. None of them have artificial fragrances, parabens, petrolatum, silicone, or phthalates.
Their glossy lipstick shines up your kisser while it moisturizes with red raspberry and moringa oil.
How about lipstick that moisturizes for eight hours? This award-winner has a satin finish and brilliant color.
There are 18 shades available in a wide range of bold tones.
It’s made with moringa oil, raspberry seed, and beeswax.
If you need low-key lipstick, try this matte version. It goes on like a lip balm.
Fortunately, there’s no added flavor or fragrance, so you won’t be tempted to lick it off.
The formula is a little different from the other two above. It consists of candy and jojoba oil with shea butter.
It leaves the lips soft without the need for any artificial ingredients.
Although there are only seven shades, this is a highly-pigmented lipstick rich with natural ingredients.
It has vitamins and minerals plus plant extracts to nourish your lips.
Each one is free of petroleum, gluten, and phthalates.
I noticed that this lipstick was trending recently as it’s recommended for pregnant women.
I discovered why it’s so popular with expectant mothers. It’s certified lead-free and non-toxic.
Lead is insidious as it can poison both the mother and baby. It shows up in the oddest places where you wouldn’t expect it, like contaminated ingredients in lipstick.
To counteract this problem, here is a lipstick formulated by an expert in high-risk pregnancy.
It avoids FD&C dyes, parabens, phthalates, petroleum products, bismuth chloride, BHT, and carmine. These are all either potential toxins or potential sources of lead contamination.
Why all the fuss about lead in lipsticks? It’s because the FDA tested samples from major manufacturers and found lead in at least 400 different brands (4).
Stick to safe, natural lipsticks like this one and steer clear of the problem.
Would you like a lipstick that gets its color from fruit?
This one has plant pigments from tea and fruit. The benefit is that they aren’t just safer but also more nutritious for your skin.
They are packed with phytonutrients, anti-aging vitamins, and antioxidants.
Plus, they’re free of lead, mercury, coal tar, and heavy metals, unlike some FD&C dyes. Moreover, the formula is vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free.
There’s still more to love about this lipstick. Instead of being based on water or castor oil, it starts with floral hydrosols and aloe. It also has fermented rice water and tea, as well as shea butter.
It has a pleasant texture and mild natural fragrance.
Skip the mineral oil and heavy metals by using a non-toxic lipstick like this one.
It has delicious organic ingredients, including mango butter, coconut oil, and cocoa butter.
You’ll never have to worry about preservatives, phthalates, parabens, lead, or gluten when you use it.
Furthermore, as it’s natural, not artificial, the vibrant color lasts for about 4 hours before you need to touch it up. Matte shades will last longer.
Overall, it’s quite moisturizing and able to heal chapped lips.
Is Pacifica lipstick safe for pregnancy?
By all appearances, it is.
There are six sheer shades with matching flavors like Coconut Cherry, Vanilla Hibiscus, and Guava Berry.
Each one hydrates and softens like a lip balm. That’s because each one has fatty acids from rich plant oils.
Each one is free of phthalates, petroleum, silicone, and carmine. All of them are vegan and cruelty-free.
Tinted lip balm is handy when you prefer to go light on the makeup.
This one from EOS is tested by dermatologists to be free of common allergens like gluten. It also avoids phthalates and parabens.
When you put it on, the hydration lasts for 24 hours.
It’s available in several bold shades that remind me more of lipstick than a balm. But what might get your attention is the fact that it comes in a sphere, not a tube.
The unique shape makes it straightforward to apply in a hurry.
If you prefer to purchase products with a satisfaction guarantee, take a look at this lip balm.
It comes in a 4-pack with a variety of colors and flavors like Champagne and Peppermint Vanilla.
The shimmery tints are all non-toxic and chemical-free. Not only do they not have parabens and mineral oil, but they are also free of gluten, petroleum, and GMOs.
These are designed to protect and nourish sensitive lips. Plus, they come in recyclable packaging.
Protect your baby’s health and your own, starting with what you put in your mouth.
It’s not just about what you’re eating, but what you don’t realize that you’re consuming.
Choose a pregnancy-safe lipstick to avoid toxic chemicals and undesirable side effects.
Then, you can nourish your lips and keep them beautiful with no worries.
If you discovered new makeup today that you love using, please come back and tell us about it in the comments below.
Also Read: Best Nail Polishes for Pregnancy: Reviews & Buying Guide
Sources:
1. https://globalnews.ca/news/3383851/11-skincare-ingredients-to-avoid-during-pregnancy/ by Global News, published April 17, 2017, accessed June 22, 2020
2. https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/complications/health-and-safety-issues/12-cosmetic-ingredients-to-avoid-during-pregnancy/ by Alessandra Foresto, accessed June 22, 2020
3. https://www.vogue.com/article/beauty-ingredients-pregnancy-safety-toxic by Bee Shapiro, published March 10, 2016, accessed June 22, 2020
4. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/productsingredients/products/ucm137224.htm published February 2, 2018
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