Although lipstick can enhance lip color, there are some harmful ingredients in lipstick that you need to be aware of. These ingredients are important for you to know, because they have the potential to cause serious health problems.
Lipsticks that are sold freely in the market are often rumored to contain harmful metals that can have a negative effect on health. In fact, some of these harmful metals are detected at an alarming rate.
Harmful Ingredients in Lipstick
Here are some of the harmful ingredients in lipstick that can pose a health risk:
1. Lead
One of the heavy metals that may be found in lipstick is lead. Lead is a type of heavy metal that can harm the nervous system and organs of the human body, including the kidneys and bones. These heavy metals can also trigger cancer. Therefore, as much as possible keep lipstick out of the reach of children.
Apart from lead, there are several heavy metals commonly found in lipstick, including aluminum, cadmium, mercury, chromium, arsenic, and manganese. In addition to the risks above, this series of metals in the long term can increase the risk of other health problems, such as:
- Cancer
- Skin damage
- Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease
- Bone damage
- Liver and kidney damage
Heavy metals in lipstick are also known to have the potential to be absorbed by the skin of the lips so that they can harm the health of the lips.
2. Triclosan
Another ingredient in lipstick that has been linked to adverse health effects is triclosan. This is a chemical compound commonly used to prevent bacterial infections. In addition to lipstick, triclosan is commonly found in toothpaste, soap, and some cosmetic products.
There are studies that state that the use of triclosan can affect hormones and trigger the growth of cancer cells.
Test results in the laboratory also show that triclosan can cause germ resistance to antibiotics. However, because the study was limited to animals, further research is still needed to prove the same effect in humans.
3. Phthalates
Another ingredient in lipstick that has the potential to harm humans is phthalates (phthalates). These compounds are commonly used to make plastics.
Phthalates are known to trigger skin irritation, endometriosis in women, and cancer. However, more research is needed to prove the negative impact of phthalates on human health.
Those are some examples of materials that are prohibited to be included in cosmetics according to the provisions of BPOM. Currently, there are no long-term studies that discuss the effects of harmful ingredients in lipstick on health.
Despite that further research is still needed to prove the effect of harmful ingredients in lipstick, the use of lipstick must be in accordance with the instructions for use.
Check the composition of the lipstick and make sure the cosmetics you are using have a permit from the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM). Also pay attention to the usage rules and warnings listed on the packaging to minimize risks.
Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if there are problems with your lips after applying lipstick. If you want to be safer, you can try a natural way to redden your lips to enhance your appearance without using lipstick.
