Many lipstick brands use toxic dyes, heavy metals, and dangerous preservatives that could pose a risk to your unborn baby.
Are you wondering if your favorite lip colors are safe to use during pregnancy? Fortunately, there are several nontoxic lipstick brands.
Below, you’ll find our recommendations for the best lipsticks. These apply to your lips well, offer long-lasting color, and most importantly, are made without using common toxic ingredients.
Always consult with your obstetrician before using any products.
Best Pregnancy-Safe Tinted Lip Balm
Cocokind Organic Macabeet Tinted Moisture Stick
The Cocokind Organic Macabeet Tinted Moisture Stick contains organic ingredients like olive oil, beeswax, maca, and beet. It can be used on your cheeks or lips for a little moisture and a healthy, tinted glow.
This lipstick gets its color from the beetroot powder. While it does provide some natural color, it isn’t as pigmented as traditional lipstick. However, many people who have used it report that the color is perfect when you are going for a more natural look.
The beet also contains antioxidants and minerals that are good for your skin, so it leaves it feeling healthier. Maca root powder also has nourishing minerals, including vitamin C that is important for skin health.
While this does contain olive oil and beeswax, olive oil is the first ingredient. That lets the stick glide across your cheeks or your lips.
While this being an organic product makes it safer for you and your baby, it also does expire. If you notice that the stick is gritty or chunky instead of smooth when applied or if it develops an odor, it may be time to replace the one you have.
Pros
- Contains organic ingredients
- Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to benefit skin health
- Glides on smooth
- Can be used on the cheeks or the lips
- Leaves skin feeling healthier
- Great for a more natural makeup look
- Has a pink/reddish tint
Cons
- Might break down over time
- Doesn’t have a lot of pigment if that’s what you’re looking for
Best Pregnancy-Safe Lip Crayon
Honest Beauty Lip Crayon
The Honest Beauty Lip Crayon is made with the same commitment to safe ingredients that you’d expect from the Honest company. This is a good choice if you’re looking for a lipstick that offers a little more pigment without using dangerous additives or colors.
There are several colors available in this line, including fig, marsala, melon, mulberry, peony, and strawberry. This means you have a color for any occasion whether you want a more natural nude or pink or a color that pops like strawberry. The lipstick has a velvety, matte finish.
While the color feels lightweight on your lips, this offers a nice pigment that is more like lipstick than the tints of some other pregnancy-friendly options. It glides on well because of the natural oils and locks in moisture. Some of the ingredients that add moisture include jojoba oil, shea butter, and murumuru butter.
Even though the lip crayon has the potential to provide moisture, the color wipes away easily if it stays wet. The manufacturer recommends blotting after you apply, however, the blotting absorbs some of the oils (and moisture) that the lip crayon has.
Something to note is that this does contain a few more ingredients than some other pregnancy-safe lipstick brands. However, it is made without silicones, mineral oil, parabens, paraffin, petroleum, phthalates, and talc. It is also certified cruelty-free, which always offers peace of mind when you’re buying cosmetic products and dermatologically tested.
Pros
- Great pigment
- Leaves lips feeling moisturized
- Available in several shades
- Dermatologically tested
- Free of many potentially harmful ingredients found in other brands
- Cruelty-free
- Satiny, matte finish
Cons
- Smears if not blotted
- Lose moisture when blotted
- Contains dyes that could irritant the skin in some people. May want to avoid lipsticks with blue dye, since it has been linked to organ toxicities.
- Contains tocopherol
Best Pregnancy-Safe Lip Gloss
Gabriel Cosmetics Lip Gloss
This Gabriel Cosmetics Lip Gloss has a sheer finish and is available in a variety of shades. It’s also made from naturally sourced ingredients, so it’s easy to have peace of mind when it comes to the safety of this lip gloss while pregnant.
Some of the colors available in this line include soft berry, champagne, diva, mocha ice, venus, and nectar. The shiny, glossy finish has long-lasting wear and gives your lips a sheer pop of color derived from natural and mineral-based sources. While the color is long-lasting, there aren’t any super pigmented shades if that is what you are looking for.
In addition to looking great, the main ingredients in this lip gloss keep your lips looking and feeling healthy. It contains aloe and jojoba oil to hydrate, moisturize, and protect. As an added benefit, these are 100% Vegan and cruelty-free.
Something to note is that while this is long-lasting, it is also very sticky. It does transfer on cups and if you apply too close to the inside of your lips, it might get stuck on your teeth. However, even with the color transfer, this color lasts a while because of the thick formulation.
Another downside is that some people have reported that it leaks from the top. This makes it harder to throw in your purse for reapplication or store in your makeup bag since you’ll need to store it upright to keep it from leaking.
Pros
- Available in several shades
- Pretty, glossy colors
- Derived from natural and mineral-based sources
- 100% Vegan
- Certified cruelty-free
- Jojoba oil to moisturize and make lips healthier
- Aloe vera protects from sun and wind damage
- Rated 2 by EWG (Environmental Work Group)
Cons
- Sticky, transfers easily
- Sometimes leaks from the top
- Contains some essential oils which are controversial during pregnancy
Best Pregnancy-Safe Lipstick
100% PURE Pomegranate Oil Anti-Aging Lipstick
100% PURE Pomegranate Oil Anti-Aging Lipstick uses natural ingredients and fruit-derived colors. VEGAN Magazine, Organic Authority, BEAUTYcrew, L.A. Story, and YourTango have all featured this lipstick.
This lipstick makes your lips feel healthier after wearing it. It contains moisturizing cocoa butter and antioxidant ingredients like pomegranate and grapeseed oil that have anti-aging benefits. Additionally, the company uses natural ingredients that are also vegan and cruelty-free.
Fruit colors like plums and pomegranates tint this lip color to different shades. The company offers a wide range of colors, however, the pigments are limited to reds, pinks, purples, and browns. Additionally, as they come from natural sources, the pigments appear differently on people based on their natural lip color.
The application of this product is usually smooth. It is well-pigmented and should last a while on your lips. Something to note is that this lipstick does not have as long of a shelf life as those with more dangerous preservatives. If the lipstick is dry or hard to apply, it may be an older tube. On the plus side, the company is easy to contact for returns if you do receive an aged product.
Pros
- Uses natural ingredients and preservatives
- Anti-aging properties
- Moisturizing
- Wide range of colors
- Color comes from fruit
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Deep pigments and colors
Cons
- Gets dry when the makeup gets older
- Only available in natural shades
- Contains rosemary, which is controversial to use during pregnancy
Comparing Pregnancy-Safe Lipsticks
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Honest Beauty Lip Crayon | 9.8 | 8.4 | 17.87 |
| Gabriel Cosmetics Lip Gloss | 9.9 | 8.6 | 17.60 |
| 100% PURE Pomegranate Oil Anti-Aging Lipstick | 6.4 | 8.8 | - |
| Cocokind Organic Macabeet Tinted Moisture Stick | 3.9 | 8.8 | - |
How We Selected Pregnancy-Safe Lipstick
Low Toxicity
The most important consideration was the ingredients used in the lipstick. Many leading lipstick brands contain preservatives that have been harmful to fetuses in animals, heavy metals that you can pass along to your baby, and dyes from dangerous sources. You’ll want to avoid these harsh ingredients in lieu of something more natural.
However, you should be aware that natural does not always mean safe, and do your own research on ingredients you are unsure of.
Many of the ingredients included in these products are controversial, should not be used in the first trimester of pregnancy, or have limited or no data/research on use during pregnancy. Some ingredients have been linked to other non-pregnancy related health problems. Many products have not been evaluated by the FDA. Since no studies have been conducted with these products on pregnant women, there is no absolute certainty that these are 100% safe. Always consult with your obstetrician before starting any products while you are pregnant, nursing, or planning on becoming pregnant.
Since the FDA does not regulate cosmetic products, the Environmental Work Group (EWG) has created a database of products. It offers information on the most popular products and ingredients, such as whether the product is an irritant/allergen or linked to organ/reproductive toxicities. It rates products from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least toxic. It is best to stick to products that rate EWG verified, 1 or 2.
We have more suggestions for pregnancy-safe cosmetics to keep you and your growing baby safe.
Good Moisturization
One of the best things about avoiding harsh chemicals in your lipstick is that the new ingredients often nourish your lips. Many of the lipsticks we recommended contain essential oils, shea butter, cocoa butter, botanical oils, and other natural ingredients. These often contain vitamins and antioxidants that will both heal and moisturize your lips.
Easy Application
When choosing a safer lipstick, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice the quality of your makeup. The lipstick brands mentioned above have a smooth application and distribute color evenly over the lips.
We also considered the lipstick’s longevity and if it bled, smudged, or wiped off easily. Longevity affects how often you’ll apply for consistent color.
Wide Array of Colors
One of the reasons companies use artificial dyes is because of the depth of color dyes achieve. However, there are many natural alternatives like berries, cocoa, and other non-toxic ingredients.
In addition to how pigmented the colors were, we considered the variety of colors available and if the lipstick remained true to color after application. With many non-toxic lipstick brands available, it should be easy enough to find a few colors you love.
FAQs About Pregnancy-Safe Lipstick
Which lipstick is safe during pregnancy?
With many cosmetics products, the trace amounts of chemicals like preservatives aren’t absorbed into the skin much, so there’s minimal risk. Lipstick, however, is very easy to get into your mouth because of where it’s positioned. This makes it important that you choose a safe, all-natural brand of lipstick- especially when you are pregnant.
The best lipstick is one free of lead and other metals, which can accumulate in your body. You should also look for something free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, retinyl palmitate, and certain dyes because many dyes are known to be carcinogens that cause cancer.
Instead, look for lip colors that come from natural sources and use ingredients that pose a lesser risk to you and your unborn baby.
Can you wear lipstick when pregnant?
You should not wear lipstick during pregnancy that contains lead. Even though there are only trace amounts of leads and other metals in lipstick, lead is one of those substances that get in the body and stay. It is hard for your body to eliminate the lead you are exposed to, which causes it to accumulate.
This is especially risky for pregnant women because lead can easily be passed along to unborn children. They have an even lower tolerance for lead because of their small size.
What are the harmful ingredients found in lipstick?
The best way to choose lipstick and other beauty products during pregnancy is to know what you don’t want in your lipstick. Manufacturers are required to disclose their ingredients, so you should familiarize yourself with these and avoid them as you look for the perfect lipstick.
Lead and Other Metals
A study by the University of California found lead and nine other toxic heavy metals in lipstick from leading brands, including Cover Girl, L’Oreal Paris, Revlon, and more. The study found chromium, aluminum, cadmium, manganese, and lead, as well as other metals. The human body struggles with eliminating toxic heavy metals. They accumulate and cause health problems. For example, toxic levels of lead can cause hormonal changes that affect your baby’s development. Lead also causes neurotoxicity, a condition resulting in learning, language, and behavioral problems.
Preservatives
Many of the dangerous chemicals used in lipstick are used as a preservative. Something you can look for is sodium benzoate. This is a natural preservative that is safe for most people.
- Polyparaben- Polyparaben is used to stop the oily part of lipstick from turning rancid. While it does prevent the growth of mold and other harmful bacteria, it is also a common allergen and known endocrine disruptor.
- Methylparaben- This is a common ingredient in lipsticks and other cosmetics because it prevents fungus and works as a preservative. Even though it is eliminated fairly quickly by the body, it is a known carcinogen. Methylparaben is also restricted in most cosmetics sold in Europe. Pregnant women should also avoid it because of its effects on estrogen in the body.
- Tocopherol acetate- Also listed as vitamin E acetate, this ingredient is lab-created vitamin E commonly used in skin products. They work as an antioxidant and heal and condition the skin. However, it has also been shown to increase the effects of UV rays. it also causes allergic reactions in some people.
Retinyl Palmitate
This is one of the most dangerous vitamin A derivatives. It’s used as a preservative and works by repairing collagen and elastin. However, when retinol compounds are exposed to ultraviolet light, they produce toxins and mutations that may cause cancer. If you do use any products with retinyl palmitate, you’ll want to avoid wearing them in direct sunlight. It’s better used as makeup for date night than for a sunny day at the beach.
Dyes
Lipstick comes in a wide range of colors, from pinks, reds, and browns, to blues, purples, and blacks. Unfortunately, many lipsticks are made using dyes from petroleum or aluminum products. These are hard for the body to eliminate and some are even carcinogenic. You’ll want to use FD&C colors if you choose synthetic- these are approved by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) to be used in food, cosmetics, and medicine.
D&C colors are not approved for food because they have a low risk in animal studies, however, it could still be dangerous. They are only approved for use in cosmetics and household products. The best option is choosing lipstick colors that use natural dyes like cocoa, beetroot, or fruit. You can be sure these will not have a bad interaction as long as you aren’t allergic to them.
How should I compare regular lipstick and pregnancy lipstick?
The bottom line is that you should compare the ingredients. The lipsticks that are targeted toward every woman may contain harmful ingredients that you want to avoid during pregnancy. One of those ingredients you want to avoid is lead, which could be harmful to your baby’s development. The safest option during pregnancy is to look for lipsticks that contain natural ingredients. It is always wise to just be safe and conscience about your choices when carrying your unborn child.
