Lip Gloss
Ilia’s lineup of lip products include lip conditioners, lipsticks, pencils, and lip glosses - all of which leave lips feeling moisturized.
Why It's Effective
Ilia’s semi-sheer gloss is beautiful worn alone or layered over lipstick.
Hydrating - castor seed oil, sesame seed oil, and shea butter
Lightweight, non-sticky texture
Light scent and taste
For a versatile, semi-sheer nude choose Peek A Boo.
Why It's Safe
The safety of what we put on our lips is important since we are essentially ingesting it. The main concern is the ingestion of heavy metals like lead. While not listed in the ingredients, these metals are found in synthetic colorants derived from petroleum or coal-tar. These colorants often have “lake” or “D&C” in the name.
The FDA recommends that lip products not contain more than 10 ppm lead (based on the amount not measurable in routine blood testing). But this is just guidance and companies do not need FDA approval and are not required to disclose safety data.
In 2010, the FDA did an analysis of lead in lip products and found some with higher than 10 ppm lead. In 2011, a Canadian study found heavy metals present in lip glosses, some with lead far exceeding the FDA’s recommended lead maximum of 10 ppm.
Mineral colorants like iron oxides, titanium dioxide, and ultramarines are considered some of the safest colorants.
Ilia primarily uses mineral colorants, with some products containing 2% or less of FDA approved synthetic food grade dyes. In addition to Ilia’s commitment to safer dyes, Ilia’s lip products are free of the following toxic ingredients commonly found in lip products:
Parabens - artificial preservatives associated with endocrine disruption, cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity.
Fragrance - mix of fragrance and chemicals associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system. Can contain unnamed toxic ingredients like phthalates which are endocrine disrupters.
Phenoxyethanol – skin, eye, or lung irritant. In 2008, the FDA warned consumers not to use Mommy’s Bliss Nipple cream because it contained phenoxyethanol which was harmful to infants. The statement indicated phenoxyethanol could “depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration in infants.” Phenoxyethanol remains a controversial ingredient and even “green” beauty products continue to use it as a preservative.
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) – preservative with concerns of skin, eye, and lung irritation, and organ system toxicity. Limited evidence of carcinogenicity and endocrine disruption.
Benzyl benzoate – associated with allergies and dermatitis, and possibly endocrine disruption. Experimental studies show biological effects favoring malignant transformation on human breast cells for benzyl benzoate. See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3443608/
Switch
Laura Mercier Lip Glace contains parabens, fragrance, and multiple “lake” dyes.
NYX butter lip gloss contains fragrance, phenoxyethanol.
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb contains fragrance and benzyl benzoate.
How to Buy
Price at the time of publishing is $24 with free shipping from nordstrom.com.
