What is really in your lipstick?
Lipstick is a staple in most women’s make-up bags and regular lipstick wearers may consume as much as 1.7 kilograms of lipstick over their lifetime, so the lipstick you choose makes a difference!
Living Nature is New Zealand’s pioneering natural skincare and cosmetic company and our mission is to offer you safe, natural skincare and cosmetics that do not compromise your health or contain unsafe ingredients.
We have taken the time to research and develop an extensive range of 11 certified natural and organic lipsticks which deliver a perfect balance of lip care and lip colour. The lipstick range offers beneficial natural and organic ingredients carefully selected, blended and crafted, that are safe to subconsciously ingest whilst offering colours to suit each skin tone or selected makeup look.
It’s important to have a knowledge of the ingredients used in the lipstick you wear. Living Nature’s formulations do not compromise your health, and use natural waxes such as Organic Beeswax, Candelilla wax and Organic Carnauba wax, as opposed to brands that opt to use alternatives such as polyethylene, which is a very common plastic or ozokerite, a brown or black paraffin wax, both often found in other lipsticks and un-safe.
The certified natural organic beeswax that Living Nature lipstick contain, offers anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and aids in healing of the skin. The Candellilla wax and Organic Carnauba wax, each offer nourishing and nutrient-rich properties and these three waxes combined creates a safe natural moisturising and beneficial barrier to protect your lips.
Did you know that some lipsticks brands on the market use petroleum, which is commonly known as petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly is a petroleum by-product and although it is technically a ‘natural’ substance, it is important to note that not all ingredients derived from nature are healthy.
The oils and emollients used in a lipstick are what give a lipstick the ability to be applied easily and Living Nature uses a blend of high performance quality oils in their lipsticks.
- Castor oil which helps to moisturise and soothe lips. Castor oil also has wound healing properties similar to beeswax.
- Caprylic/ capric triglyceride oil is also used in Living Nature lipsticks and they are gentle oils that helps to resist moisture loss.
- The vegetable squalene oil used helps soothes and softens skin by helping to slow down any water loss.
- Coconut oil which is naturally moisturising as well as being anti-bacterial. Coconut oil also helps to prevent growth of bacteria on cracked lips and also soothing to chapped lips.
- Vitamin E oil (Tocopherol) which offers an additional anti-oxidant boost and maintains the life of the lipstick itself.
Some of the Living Nature lipsticks also contain Apple seed oil and Grape seed oil; both contain antioxidants to help fight free radicals, provide shine and sheen, protection and softening qualities, lightweight and easily absorbed.
Living Nature use ‘natural’ in-organic pigments in their colour cosmetic range and these are what give the range of lipsticks their colour. The word ‘organic’ when relating to pigments does not always mean the same as organic as most know it. When a pigment is classified as organic, it means that it contains carbon – these include lakes and true pigments. ‘Organic’ pigments have various levels of physical and chemical stability and are capable of producing a range of bright colours. You will find that most common pigments used in cosmetics are synthetic colours (organic pigments) called FD&C colours, derived from coal tar. There is a lot of controversy surrounding these colourants; with some evidence suggesting that they are potentially carcinogenic and coal tar based colourants are known to trigger allergic reactions. Other organic pigments available are based on aluminium powder, also an irritant. The ingredients zirconium or chromium oxide are described as a cancer hazard on safety data sheets.
In-organic pigments are present in Living Nature lipstick’s, they consist of iron oxides, chromium dioxides, ultramarines, manganese violet, white pigments and pearlescent effects. Inorganic pigments are usually duller in appearance than organic pigments, but are more stable and can be enhanced through various coatings. Where organic pigments are often sensitive to light, heat and pH levels, inorganic pigments hold their colour for a long period of time, under a variety of conditions. Iron oxides in particular are considered the safest, as they are non-toxic, non-bleeding and moisture resistant.
Living Nature is committed to offering you the most natural, pure and safe products on the market and their products are produced to the highest global natural standards and safety tested by an EU authorised toxicologist / cosmetic safety assessor. The majority of Living Nature’s lipsticks are certified natural by BDIH Germany, and their two red lipsticks Wild Fire and Pure Passion are both certified COSMOS organic. These two regulatory bodies have one of the most rigorous standards worldwide and Living Nature is proud to carry their seal of approval. Living Nature not only meet their stringent criteria but most often exceed it, which ensures they deliver you products that are not only safe for your health but also for the environment. Ingredient sourcing practices, manufacturing processes and work place welfare are also part of the gaining the certifications and Living Nature is audited yearly. Both certifications are extremely difficult to gain, so when you see their packaging say certified natural or certified organic, you know they have earnt it.
Living Nature truly believe you are precious and deserve natural lipsticks that lessen your toxic load, provide effective skin health properties and offer beautiful lush colours.
Have you tried Living Nature’s lipsticks?
Wild Fire Lipstick
“This is my holy grail lipstick that I always have in my bag. The colour is so vibrant on and I always receive so many compliments every time I wear it. With all day wear its one lipstick and shade that every woman must have in their makeup bag!”