What You Need to Know about Lip Products
The Bottom Line
Many types of lip products are available for cosmetic and medical purposes. They come in various colors, scents, and forms to fit the user’s needs and preferences. Despite how colorful and fragrant these products are, it is important that they are not eaten or swallowed.
What is lipstick made of?
Lipstick comes in a variety of different forms and colors. Most are made of oils, waxes, moisturizers, and color pigments. Waxes, which helps to give lipstick its signature sturdy shape, are harvested from a variety of natural sources such as bee honeycombs and various plants. Oils and moisturizers, including petroleum-derived oils, help the lips stay hydrated and comfortable as well as provide protection from irritation caused by the product itself. Pigments are used to produce the many colors of lipsticks. These ingredients are unlikely to result in significant toxicity if eaten or accidentally swallowed.
Are there any toxic lipsticks I should avoid?
Heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, and zinc have been found in small amounts in some cosmetics, including lipstick. These are usually a byproduct of the colored pigments used to make the products. In 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested over 600 cosmetics, including lipstick, for their lead content. The FDA determined that more than 99% of the products tested contained less than 10 parts per million (ppm) lead. This small amount of lead is unlikely to produce toxicity in consumers. In 2016, the cosmetic industry received formal guidance from the FDA regarding proper manufacturing practices. Cosmetic companies are expected to follow these Quality Assurance and Good Manufacturing Practices to ensure products on the market are safe for consumer use and do not contain toxic amounts of lead. As a result, lipstick products made in the U.S should be safe to use.
Is lip gloss made out of whale sperm?
Like lipsticks, lip gloss also contains oils, waxes, coloring agents, and sometimes fragrances. The concentration of oils in lip gloss tends to be higher than lipsticks, which is why lip gloss is more liquid compared to lipstick.
In the past, some waxy or oily cosmetics contained an ingredient called “spermaceti.” Spermaceti is a white, waxy substance that is made in the head of sperm whales and was heavily sought-after by the whaling industry. Spermaceti could be used to craft cosmetics, candles, ointments, and more. Although the name suggests it is derived from the whale’s reproductive system, it has nothing to do with whale sperm. Because of their endangered status, sperm whale hunting is now banned by an international agreement.
What is in lip plumper?
Lip plumpers are intended to make lips appear larger than they actually are. Some ingredients are very similar to lip gloss, but lip plumpers also contain additional ingredients such as capsicum, caffeine, or even bee venom. These additives cause the lips to appear more plump and swollen by either irritating the skin, increasing collagen and elastin production in the lips, or by causing the blood vessels in the lips to dilate.
What is in lip balm?
Lip balms usually contain oils to provide hydration to dry lips. Some examples are coconut, almond, and mineral oils as well as lanolin. Most lip balms also include a waxy substance, and for additional protection they can include sunscreen ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, and octocrylene. In addition to skin protection, many lip balms contain peppermint oil, camphor, or menthol. These additives are meant to produce a cooling sensation, which provides minor pain relief for chapped lips.
What is ChapStick made of?
ChapStick® is a popular brand of lip products including lip balm. They contain waxes, oils, preservatives, vitamin E, colorings, and flavor additives.
Can you eat ChapStick?
ChapStick products are intended for external use only and should not be eaten. But if someone swallows a small amount, it’s unlikely they will experience symptoms. The most likely side effects include mild irritation of the mouth, throat and stomach, or mild nausea and diarrhea. Lip balms that contain camphor or menthol have a higher risk of side effects, but this is still unlikely due to the small amounts of these ingredients in the products.
What to do if someone eats a lip cosmetic product:
If someone eats or experiences worrisome side effects from a lip cosmetic product, get guidance from Poison Control immediately. Help from Poison Control is available online at www.poison.org and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
CHAPSTICK is a trademark of PF CONSUMER HEALTHCARE 1 LLC.
Terri Shamis, PharmD, SPI
Specialist in Poison Information
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Always store cosmetics in a safe place out of the reach of children.
- Never leave cosmetics out unattended, return them to a proper storage place when done.
- If cosmetic products are swallowed, do not induce vomiting.
This Really Happened
Case 1: A 15-month-old boy ate half of a stick of lipstick and developed a rash. His mom was told by their pediatrician to give the boy a dose of an antihistamine. Poison Control agreed, and also recommended giving some fluids. Upon following up, Poison Control learned the boy’s rash resolved and no further issues developed.
Case 2: A 2-year-old ate two entire packets of lip balm because the products smelled like fruit and candy. When the mom consulted Poison Control, she was advised to give the child a snack and watch for any nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Poison Control called back later to learn that the child never developed any symptoms.
For More Information
Cosmetic recall & alerts. Silver Spring (MD): U.S. Food and Drug Administration [accessed 2022 Nov 11].References
Lip color. Cosmeticsinfo.org [accessed 2022 Nov 5].
Our not-so-secret ingredients for plump lips! Fort Myers (FL): Trilogy Labs [accessed 2022 Nov 17].
Siddons S. Lip plumpers overview. Marina del Rey (CA): HowStuffWorks [accessed 2022 Nov 17].
Sperm whale facts. Seaside (CA): Save the Whales; 2022 Sep 4 [accessed 2022 Nov 5].
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Always store cosmetics in a safe place out of the reach of children.
- Never leave cosmetics out unattended, return them to a proper storage place when done.
- If cosmetic products are swallowed, do not induce vomiting.
This Really Happened
Case 1: A 15-month-old boy ate half of a stick of lipstick and developed a rash. His mom was told by their pediatrician to give the boy a dose of an antihistamine. Poison Control agreed, and also recommended giving some fluids. Upon following up, Poison Control learned the boy’s rash resolved and no further issues developed.
Case 2: A 2-year-old ate two entire packets of lip balm because the products smelled like fruit and candy. When the mom consulted Poison Control, she was advised to give the child a snack and watch for any nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Poison Control called back later to learn that the child never developed any symptoms.