“Why do my lips keep getting chapped? They are peeling under my lipstick!”
Don’t worry, It’s not just you. Naturally, lips lack oil glands and rely on hydration from the body. They also absorb moisture from the environment. Thus, not hydrating the body or dry weather can definitely cause chapped lips. But, what if you’re doing everything right? You’re drinking enough water, applying lip balm, and you haven’t been exposed to dry weather.
Did you know it could be your lipstick?
You would think that lipstick helps chapped lips, but not necessarily. Some lipsticks are so heavy or airtight that they can prevent the lips’ natural moisture absorption process. Furthermore, lipstick can include irritating fragrances, ingredients, and dyes that don’t always come from the best sources (i.e. carmine). Carmine is one of the most common ingredients used in lipstick dyes, and yes, even some food and drinks contain carmine! Carmine may also be labeled as "cochineal extract," "natural red 4," or "E120" on ingredient lists.
What is carmine?
Carmine is a red pigment made from scaly insects, and it can cause allergy and sensitization in some people. In general, naturally harvested ingredients, especially ones that are not botanical (not plants) may irritate the skin because of lingering impurities. Another example is lanolin, a product derived from sheep’s wool commonly found in lipstick formulas.
Lanolin
According to Dermatology Times, the American Contact Dermatitis Society actually named lanolin “allergen of the year” in 2023. Yes, lanolin possesses properties that can be soothing and moisturizing to the skin, but with chronic use (like applying lipstick every day), individuals can develop an allergy to it.
So, is this why my lips are dry?
While there is no way for us to provide specific answers, it’s true that inflammation and irritation of the lips (chelitis) can cause dry and cracked lips. The best way to determine this is to look for lipstick products without the aforementioned ingredients as well as fragrances. The vegan lipstick market is a great place to start as many use gentle formulas and cancel animal-based ingredients!
Vegan lipstick contains no animal-derived ingredients. Other lipsticks include animal-based substances such as carmine (a red pigment made from crushed cochineal insects), and lanolin (derived from sheep's wool), alcohols, and fragrances alcohols. On the other hand. vegan lipsticks use plant-based or synthetic alternatives to create the same texture, pigment, and staying power!
Here are a few that Cassandra loves!
isoi Bulgarian Rose Lip Treatment Balm
This formula combines a hydrating lip treatment with a lip stain!
$11.46
$9
On Amazon, this is actually #24 in bestselling lipsticks. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free. Using ingredients like squalene and jojoba it deeply moisturizes lips without the lanolin.
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Kind Words Matte Lipstick
$20
This is a Matte lipstick, and it’s described as “buttery and pigment-rich.” This formula also includes the followingingredient Callouts: Free of parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, and triclosan. “It is also vegan, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging!”
Live Tinted HUELIP Liquid Lip Créme
$22
Cover photo cred: istock photos