Do you often feel yourself burning with lip envy? Or is that just your lips burning, yet again, from another horrific reaction to what must be the thousandth lip product you have tried?
It turns out that almost 30% of all consumers experience an allergic reaction to cosmetics at one point or another. Some of us have it worse than others, unable to partake in fun colors and experimentation because of sensitivity issues. The result is a seemingly endless search for products that won’t aggravate your fragile skin.
Unsure why your lips puff up like blowfish every time? It may be the nasty effects of parabens, phthalates, and arguably petrolatum, a common ingredient that is not always fully refined in U.S. products and may contain contamination harmful to our health.
After all, our lips lack the sebum production (the oil that protects your skin from dryness and infection) that protects our skin. This is why chapped lips are such a common issue, and conditions like lip eczema or extreme lip sensitivity are so tricky to avoid.
If you’re struggling to find a product that is equally safe and glamorous, we have researched the five of the best lipsticks for sensitive lips that will give you peace of mind.
Safety First
If you are incredibly sensitive to most lip products, it is likely you are allergic to one or many common allergens that we discuss in this list. However, may obscure or rare chemicals can be irritating to your skin, as we all have unique ecosystems and bodies.
We recommend going to a dermatologist that can tell you exactly what those allergens are—it’ll save you lots of grief.
Be aware that any product that causes swelling, puss, or redness for extended periods of time should be seen by a doctor immediately!
Best Lipsticks for Sensitive Lips:
1. Faceworks Lipstick
Some of the most common allergens in cosmetics are preservatives like parabens (like propyl, methyl, benzyl hydroxybenzoate, etc) and artificial fragrances.
Faceworks does the dirty work of getting rid of all these damaging ingredients to provide a paraben and fragrance-free experience for your lips. Some shades (and there’s a lot to choose from!) even have SPF for extra protection against the sun.
If you’re worried about dryness, Faceworks Lipstick is also chock full of vitamins A and E, which moisturize and protect your lips.
2. Gabriel Cosmetics Lipstick
Looking for an environmentally conscious tube? Gabriel Cosmetics Lipstick is perfect for your needs. It is gluten-free and animal cruelty-free.
Instead of synthetic ingredients, this lipstick is fueled by natural, non-irritating, and moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil, avocado oil, and aloe, to name a few.
Reviewers gushed about the brand’s deep color and staying power, which is often a concern with products that avoid conventional ingredients. You will get no lack of pigment or easy wipe off with this tube! Get that perfect red lip!
3. Physician’s Formula Hypoallergenic Lipstick
Looking for more of a sheen or suggestion of color? Look no further than the trusty Physician’s Formula for a dusty pink or perfect nude.
Created by Dr. Frank Crandall for his wife, whose lupus burdened her with extra-sensitive lips, the Physician’s Formula Hypoallergenic Lipstick was made with the sole purpose of avoiding dry, painfully chapped lips. Trust that it’ll do the job; According to its website, it is dermatologist approved, clinically tested, and paraben, gluten, and cruelty-free.
4. Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Gloss
According to the EWG, a watchdog organization that ranks cosmetics based on their safety for humans and the environment, many of the most common ingredients in cosmetics as ubiquitous as tinted lip balm may be doing more harm than good.
It is good to know that some of our workhorse brands have always been dedicated to our best interest, like Burt’s Bees.
Good news! Burt’s Bees offers its lip balm’s tinted cousin, Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Gloss, and steers clear of irritating ingredients, while proudly boasting an all-natural ingredient list.
That means no parabens, phthalates, petrolatum and SLS, another irritating chemical used in industrial cleaners.
If you are looking for a subtle pop of color without sacrificing your lip’s moisture and comfort, Burt’s Bees is a trustworthy ally.
5. Bobbi Brown Nourishing Lip Color
Feeling luxurious? Bobbi Brown has a lipstick that’s perfect for rocking a new look at the office or going out on the town, all while keeping lips plump and soft. It is full of nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, cocoa seed butter, avocado, vitamins C and E, and an olive oil complex.
If you are inexperienced in the world of lipstick, this lipstick is a great first time buy. It is sheer for a lighter first-attempt, and buildable for a deeper color once you get accustomed to your new lipstick look. The best part? Your lips won’t look like a flaky pastry by the end of the day either way.
In fact, Bobbi Brown’s website claims the continual use of this lipstick reduces the appearance of damage on your lips (from so many allergic reactions in this case!)
Final Thoughts
If you have struggled with lipstick problems for a long time, you are not alone. Many women have reported becoming so sensitive to conventional lipsticks that products like Vaseline became their only consolation. We’re here to tell you that it does not have to end there!
An allergy shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying new trends or new ways of expressing yourself through make-up. We hope we have made it easier to navigate the saturated cosmetic market for safe and stunning lipstick choices.
If you want to scour the web for more, we recommend using non-profit databases like the EWG or even Canadian or UK based health organizations to guide you.
They offer study-based information on common ingredients that may still be legal here in the U.S., like ingredients that add color or smell to products that are banned elsewhere.
And remember: listen to your skin!
