Non Toxic Lipstick and Lip Gloss Your Lips Will Love

Guide to the best non toxic lipstick and lip gloss brands, made with natural & organic ingredients that are better for your health and the planet.

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There’s nothing like a good lipstick to make you feel ready to conquer the world. Whether it’s bright red or shimmery pink; glossy or matte; bold or barely there – the right lip color can boost your confidence, add a spring to your step, or at the very least help a tired mom feel like she’s at least a little bit pulled together – LOL!

But did you know that many popular lipstick brands contain harmful chemicals? That’s the last thing you want to worry about in your crazy, busy life.

Why Non-Toxic Lipstick Matters

Most of us put on lipstick without ever considering what’s inside the tube. Turns out that’s not such a good idea.

All cosmetics, but especially lipsticks, are notorious for containing ingredients that are not very pretty.

When you think about it, of all the cosmetic products, having harmful chemicals in lipsticks is particularly concerning because we use them on our mouths and some of the product may be ingested. We need to make sure that the lip products we use are made with clean ingredients that are not harmful to our health!

RELATED: Find a Natural Deodorant That Works for You!

Harmful Ingredients in Lipstick

Let’s take a look at some of the most concerning ingredients you might find in conventional lipstick and lip glosses. Be careful because not all of these ingredients are listed on product labels, so it can be tricky to identify safe cosmetics products.

Heavy Metals

Heavy metals including lead, chromium, cadmium, aluminum, manganese and nickel often end up in lipsticks due to contamination from other ingredients. Because of this, you won’t find lead or other heavy metals listed on ingredient labels because they are hidden in other ingredients, usually as part of the colorant.

Independent studies found found dangerous levels of lead in over 60% of lipsticks tested. Lead is a neurotoxin linked to learning and behavioral problems and it is dangerous at very small levels. Since there is no safe level of exposure to lead, it’s important to avoid it.

Another study measured lead and eight other heavy metals in lip gloss and lipstick, and found high levels of titanium and aluminum as well as detectable manganese. Lead was found in 75% of the products.

Some companies, like Beautycounter, test all of their color cosmetics for heavy metals and try to reach “non-detectable” heavy metal limits when possible. Most companies do not do this, but I hope to see more of this type of transparency in the future!

Butylated Compounds

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are synthetic antioxidants that are often used as preservatives in lipsticks. Studies have shown butylated compounds to be a possible human carcinogen.

Paraben Preservatives

Paraben preservatives are often used to inhibit bacteria and mold growth in cosmetics. Studies have linked parabens to breast cancer, endocrine disruption and developmental and reproductive toxicity.

Phthalates

Phthalates are hormone disrupting chemicals that often find their way into lipsticks through fragrance. A loophole in federal law allows phthalates (and many other chemicals) to be added to fragrances without disclosure to consumers.

Artificial Fragrances

Fragrance is an unregulated “ingredient” that can be a mix of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. Some of those chemicals are known endocrine disruptors and others can cause allergic reactions.

Colors and Pigments

Cosmetic colorants is a tricky subject because they can be both natural or synthetic. Natural colorants are not always safer because earth-derived pigments like mica, iron oxide, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide can be contaminated with heavy metals. Ideally you will purchase products from brands that conduct independent testing to check for contamination of these metals.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oils are derived from petroleum and untreated and mildly treated mineral oils are classified as a known human carcinogen.

Best Non Toxic Lipstick and Lip Gloss Brands

I may receive commissions from purchases made through affiliate links in this article. Full Disclosure

Part of my mission to help you find greener, safer, better beauty and personal care products is to share some of the non-toxic brands I’ve used and loved. Most of the lipsticks listed here are products that I have personally tried, although there are a few that I haven’t tested yet, but have good reputations and natural ingredients lists.

Whether you are looking for vegan lipsticks, a cruelty-free lipstick, a plastic-free lipstick or simply a safe lipstick that you don’t have to worry about, you’ll find something that works on this list!

Rest assured, all of these lipsticks and glosses are made with natural and safe ingredients and are free from lead, parabens, petroleum, sulfates, phthalates, nanoparticles, artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances. And animal testing? No way! It’s easier to choose a lipstick brand you know you can trust, than have to read the ingredients list on every product! 

Hope you groove on these clean beauty lipstick and lip gloss products as much as I do! And please let me know what other brands you love or would like to know more about.

Beautycounter

Beautycounter tests each batch of color pigments for contamination with heavy metals. 

Beautycounter Beyond Gloss – This EWG VERIFIED™ lip gloss is a blend of beeswax, candelilla wax, and organic carnauba wax that locks in moisture to leave lips looking and feeling soft and smooth. I love that it is flavored with responsibly sourced vanilla.

• Skin Deep rating: EWG VERIFIED™
• Favorite color: Magnolia Shimmer

Beautycounter Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick – A creamy, buildable lipstick that moisturizes while delivering color and light-catching sheen. The formula is a blend of moisture-rich castor oil, botanical waxes, and sustainably derived jojoba esters, and flavored with responsibly sourced, certified organic vanilla.

• Skin Deep rating: 2
• Favorite color: Raisin 
• Vegan

Beautycounter coupon code: Subscribe to their email list to get a coupon code sent to your Inbox.

100% Pure

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip Gloss – A super shiny lip gloss made with moisturizing vitamin E and real fruit pigments. I love the yummy strawberry flavor! 

• Skin Deep rating: N/A
• Favorite color: Pomegranate Wine
• Vegan

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick – This full coverage lipstick is formulated with cocoa butter, shea butter (butyrospermum parkii), and antioxidant-rich fruit pigments like cherry, blueberry, and peach.

• Skin Deep rating: 1
• Favorite color: I haven’t tried this one but Pink Canyon looks good
• Vegan

100% Pure coupon code: MINDFUL15 for 15% off your first order 

Axiology

Axiology Lip to Lid Balmies – These cute little lip crayons are a blend of kokum butter, hemp seed oil, Vitamin E and other nourishing ingredients. 

• Skin Deep rating: 2
• Favorite color: ROSÉ
• Vegan and certified cruelty-free by PeTA
• Plastic-free – Best zero waste lip color 

Axiology Multi-Sticks – A smoother, dewier version of Balmies that work well for lips, lids and cheeks. Made with naturally-derived ingredients like coconut oil and soy butter and colored with iron oxides and micas.

• Skin Deep rating: N/A
• Favorite color: The Goodness
• Vegan and certified cruelty-free by PeTA
• Plastic-free

Axiology coupon code: Get 15% off when you sign up for their mailing list. 

Ilia

Ilia Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil – This unique lip gloss is packed with hyaluronic acid and powerful botanicals to help visibly plump and moisturize lips. It goes on super smooth, without being sticky and leaves lips soft and shiny.

• Skin Deep rating: N/A
• Favorite color: Petals
• Vegan

Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm – This buttery lip balm formula has active levels of moisture-boosting ingredients like shea butter and rosehip seed oil, with a hint of sheer, buildable color.

• Skin Deep rating: N/A
• Favorite color: Runaway

Ilia Color Block Lipstick – A full-coverage lipstick for a bold lip that lasts. The formula is a base of organic castor seed oil, with apricot seed oil and mango seed butter for creamy softness. 

• Skin Deep rating: N/A
• Favorite color: I haven’t tried this one but Rosewood looks good to me. 
• Vegan

Mineral Fusion

Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tint – A smooth blend of castor seed oil, jojoba oil, beeswax and candelilla wax, with sheer, buildable color and a vanilla mint flavor.

• Skin Deep Rating: EWG VERIFIED™
• Favorite color: Adorn
• Best affordable clean lip color

Mineral Fusion Lipstick – A buttery smooth formula made with hydrating natural oils and butters, skin-soothing white tea, aloe vera and antioxidant-rich pomegranate. 

• Skin Deep Rating: EWG VERIFIED™
• Favorite color: Tempting
• Vegan

RELATED: Clean + Sustainable Makeup Brands to Try Now

Juice Beauty

Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Liquid Lip – A liquid lipstick that goes on like a soft lip balm but wears like a lip stain. Made from a blend of cold-pressed oils, shea butter and a fruit stem cell serum.

• Skin Deep Rating: N/A
• Favorite color: Drew
• Made with certified organic ingredients

Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Luminous Lip Crayon – This easy to apply lip crayon is moisturizing like a lip balm and gives you the pigment-rich color of a lipstick.  Made with nourishing oils, mango seed butter and organic jojoba oil. 

• Skin Deep Rating: N/A
• Favorite color: I haven’t tried this one but I’d probably get Malibu.
• Made with certified organic ingredients

Hennè Organics

Hennè Luxury Lip Tint – A nourishing tinted lip balm that provides a barely-there hint of color that is buildable for a more opaque look.

• Skin Deep Rating: 2
• Favorite color: I haven’t tried this one but Blissful looks nice.
• Made with certified organic ingredients
• Leaping Bunny Certified

Honest

Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick – A velvety matte liquid lipstick made with avocado oil and hyaluronic acid.

• Skin Deep Rating: EWG VERIFIED™
• Favorite color: I haven’t tried this one but Passion looks nice.
• Vegan

Your turn: What are your favorite non toxic lipstick and gloss brands?