Organic Lipsticks

Susanna Cellucci

Susanna CellucciFounder

Published October 27, 2023 Updated June 29, 2026

Conventional Lipsticks

Conventional lipsticks are made with harsh chemicals, nanoparticles, parabens, Bismuth Oxychloride, talc, synthetic dyes, fillers, fragrance, PFA, heavy metals, mica, titanium dioxide, and preservatives.

 

āŒ Avoid Heavy Metals

According to SafeCosmetics.org: ā€œAn expanded FDA study in 2010 found lead in 400 lipsticks at levels up to 7.19 ppm. Five of the 10 most lead-contaminated brands in the FDA study are made by L’Oreal USAā€œ. FDA tested brands. Maybelline had 7.19 parts per million, and L’Oreal had 7.0 ppm of lead.

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āŒĀ Avoid Ā Microplastic

Check that your makeup or cosmetics are organic and don’t contain plastic, according to Greenpeace Italy, these makeup companies contain microplastic Lush 99%, Maybelline 85%, Deborah 84%, Sephora 83%, Wycon 78%. Found in Mascara 90%, Lipsticks and Lipglosses 85%, Foundation %74, Highlighter 69% Face Powder 43% and in Glitter

Ho to spot plastic. Check the label, Microplastics are listed as Nylon, Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polymethyl methacrylate. InĀ hand sanitizersĀ as Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

 

āŒĀ Avoid PFAS

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl) substances are toxic synthetic compounds found in various makeup, especially those advertised as long-lasting or waterproof. Brands including Essence, L’Oreal, Maybelline, Revlon and Wet ā€˜n Wild were purchased at Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Target and Bed Bath & Beyond from 2016 to 2020. PFAS have been detected in:

  • 82% of tested waterproof mascaraĀ 
  • 63% of tested foundations
  • 62% of tested liquid lipsticks
  • 58% of tested eyeshadows, eye creams, and eyeliners

Greenwashing Lipsticks

AvoidĀ greenwashing lipsticks made by brands that pretend to be organic, natural or safer when they are not. They will use their misleading marketing tricks to convince you to buy heir products. Even if they are made with some natural ingredients, they may still contain controversial ingredients such as mica, titanium dioxide, or petroleum-derived ingredients:

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āŒĀ Avoid Titanium Dioxide CI 77891

Titanium Dioxide once considered by FDA as GRASE (generally recognized as safe and effective) and not misbranded,Ā Titanium dioxideĀ is no longer considered safe. The European Union has declared Titanium Dioxide a level 2 Carcinogen in all concentrations over 1%, & from 2024 all products with more than 1% Titanium Dioxide will have to bare warning labels.

Titanium dioxide:Ā Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful.Ā ToxicĀ when it is ingested, so avoid sunblock lip balms or lipsticks with titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, because of the potential of exposure through inhalation.Ā 

Banned in the EUĀ Ā for food application due to its potential carcinogenic effects. Titanium dioxide E 171 contains at most 50% of particles in the nano range (i.e. less than 100 nanometres) to which consumers may be exposed.Ā 

According toĀ The Guardian: “The EU’s decision to phase out titanium dioxide came after a re-evaluation of the safety of the food additive conducted by theĀ European Food Safety AuthorityĀ (EFSA), an agency that delivers independent scientific advice to the EU about food-related risks.

EFSA scientists screened nearly 12,000 scientific publications. They were particularly interested in recent research on the ā€œgenotoxicityā€ of titanium dioxide nanoparticles – their ability to damage DNA and lead to cell mutations, potentially causing cancer. In animal studies, nanoparticles have been found toĀ affect microorganisms in the gut, which could trigger diseases like intestinal and bowel inflammation andĀ colorectal cancer.

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āŒ Avoid Mica CI 77019

Mica is linked to child labor, which often takes place in developing countries that may rely on exploitative practices. Plus, mica can contain heavy metals.Ā 

In 2013, researchers in Japan tested cosmetics andĀ found high levels of fluorine inside mica & talc. It turned out that some suppliers were fluorinating their raw ingredients in order to have the products last longer in the environment, i.e. on your face. The demand of having ā€œlong-lastingā€ and ā€œwaterproofā€ natural makeup has set up an industry for natural mica & talc coated with PFAS.Ā Ā 

PneumoconiosisĀ may be caused by pure mica alone

Mica is toxic to the workers: pulmonary disorders of four employees who were exposed to high concentration of pure mica dust in a muscovite milling unit. Occupational exposure to mica dust is responsible for diffuse infiltrative lung disease by overload processes.

Synthetic mica: is a man-made mica, called also fluorphlogopite, or synthetic fluorine, made withĀ 

Mica is colored with yellow 10, blue 1, red 28, and many other FD&C food dyes that are derived from petroleum and banned in many countries due to potential links to cancer.

 

āŒ Avoid petroleum-derived ingredients Cosmetic Colorants

  • ā€œCI 77742/Manganese Violetā€ is petroleum-derived, and its synthesis requires ammonium dihydrogen phosphate: Comstock MC. ​

  • CI 15850/Red 7 Lake syntheticĀ colorant

  • CI 42090 is a synthetic compound that gives a brilliant blue color to products

Organic & Natural Lipsticks

ā€‹ā€‹šŸŒæMany natural or even organic lipsticks still contain petroleum-derived ingredients, mica, or titanium dioxide. I researched everywhere, and I listed the best organic lipsticks on the market:

The best natural lipsticks are made with natural or even better organic ingredients and without titanium dioxide and mica. Plus PFAS-free.Ā 

 

🌿 The Organic lipsticks listed here are made with organic and mineral ingredients. Rich and vibrant colors, creamy, nourishing, cute, and they last long! šŸ’ How amazing it is to wear nature!​ Their ingredients are by far the most natural available in the beauty industry, made from fruit pigments, antioxidants from fruit straight to your lips, full hydration, and moisturizing.Ā 

 

  • āœ… Organic IngredientsĀ 
  • āœ…Ā 100% Natural
  • āœ…Ā Mica-free
  • āœ…Ā Titanium dioxide-free
  • āœ…Ā Petroleum derived-free
  • āœ…Ā Strong and vibrant mineral pigments in combination with organic ingredients
  • āœ…Ā Silky color with great staying power
  • āœ…Ā Vegan
  • āœ…Ā Gluten-free
  • āœ…Ā Cruelty-free ​​​
  • āœ… Tested for purity

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The Best Organic Lipstick Brands

My number one recommendation and favorite organic lipstick brands are:Ā 

 

  • 🌿MG Naturals 10% off promo code: POG10. MG Natirals makupeup is made with organic ingredients, mica-free, and titanium dioxide-free! The first 100% Titanium Dioxide-Free Makeup Brand in the world, plus it tests its products for safety & purity to ensure zero heavy metals. Amazing!!Ā 

 

  • 🌿Omiana 10% off promo code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL. Omiana makes approved makeup using natural and organic ingredients, plus mica-free and titanium dioxide-free. Their organic lipsticks smell so good!

 

  • 🌿PiperBlue 10% off promo code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL. PiperBlue lip makeup is made with an antioxidant-rich formula that features anti-aging benefits. PiperBlue makeup does not contain nano ingredients or titanium dioxide, only vitamin and nutrient-rich ingredients for optimal skin nutrition. Purity tested.

 

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Shop with my links to support my research!šŸ’–