CAIA OWE YOU NOTHING Lipstick -19€
CAIA Lipstick under the Spotlight
When it comes to enhancing our beauty, lipstick is a classic go-to for most of us. However, have you ever stopped to consider the potentially harmful ingredients lurking in your favorite shade? From silicones to PFAS, parabens, titanium dioxide to phenoxyethanol, endocrine disruptors… (and many other potentially toxic, polluting and controversial ingredients….), the beauty industry has seen its fair share of controversial substances. In this blog post, we take a closer look at one of CAIA’s makeup product -a Stockholm-based D2C beauty company founded by influencers- currently trending.
Let’s take a closer look at Caia’s product philosophy in general :
PRODUCT PHILOSOPHY
« We believe beauty products should be of top quality at accessible prices. The products should be easy for everyone to use and suit most skin types and skin tones. We offer top quality formulations based on carefully selected ingredients. We also have a long list of ingredients we avoid. All products are produced by the biggest well renowned factories in France, Italy and Korea. Our skincare has been developed together with toxicologists, dermatologists and biologists. «
And if we were to take a closer look at one of Caia’s products; how does the « top quality formulation » of a lipstick look like, for example ?
What could be Caia’s definition of « carefully selected ingredients » ? First of all, here are the product benefits, – as presented on Caia’s website *:
DESCRIPTION
Purely pigmented lipstick with extreme matte finish. It provides consistency, emollience and water resistance without a draggy application. The lipstick contains Passion Fruit seed oil which offers nourishing and repairing properties. Looks matte, feels smooth. Let’s take the time to check the composition of the product by taking a closer look at the INCI list (the list of ingredients) of Caia’s « Owe You Nothing » Lipstick
Ingredients/ INCI*:
CETEARYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE; POLYETHYLENE, OCTYLDODECANOL, KAOLIN, SILICA, HYDROGENATED STYRENE/METHYL STYRENE/INDENE COPOLYMER, SYNTHETIC WAX, DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, C30-45 ALKYL DIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER ,CETYL DIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-t-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, MICA, LAURETH-4, MAY CONTAIN/(+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) RED 6 (CI 15850) RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) RED 28 LAKE (CI 45410) BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090) YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140) YELLOW 6 LAKE (CI 15985)
Ingredient analysis :
As always, it is the first 5-10 ingredients that make up the majority of the product’s overall « profile ». And this basic profile includes already a large number of controversial ingredients, silicone-based ingredients (polluting), synthetic polymers (microplastic), etc. A « product base » which is almost entirely based on synthetic ingredients some of which are very controversial. And the promised «Passion Fruit seed oil» (in latin/INCI terms = PASSIFLORA EDULIS SEED OIL) went missing along the way. Nowhere to be found.
A long list of controversial substances have also slipped into the formula of Caia’s « Owe You Nothing » Lipstick
- POLYETHYLENE environmental concern, pollutant (microplastics)
- HYDROGENATED STYRENE/METHYL STYRENE/INDENE COPOLYMER, a film former. derived from petrochemical ingredients – pollutant.
- An entire list of Silicones : DIMETHICONE/CETYL DIMETHICONE/C30-45 ALKYL DIMETHICONE/DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, problematic substances for the environnement (not very biodegradable), pollutants
- TITANIUM DIOXIDE, colorant, problematic in this kind of product (as it will be partially ingested), check out the article for more detailed information
- Film-forming agents, like HYDROGENATED STYRENE/METHYL STYRENE/INDENE COPOLYMER problematic for the environment, pollutants
- a list of controversial synthetic dyes RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140) YELLOW 6 LAKE (CI 15985),some azo dyes are classified as carcinogens, which is why azo dyes are restricted in the EU
- PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-t-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, synthetic antioxydant.
Conclusion for the analysis of Caia’s « Owe You Nothing » Lipstick
A formulation that is far, far from the claim of « carefully selected ingredients » ….The product is made of a list of controversial and polluting ingredients, problematic for the environment (silicones, acrylates, microplastics, mineral oil derivatives etc) and potentially harmful and toxic substances (azo dyes , titanium dioxyde, not recommended in this type of product)- which clashes with the claim of carefully selected ingredients.
And the promised « Passion Fruit seed oil » is just a marketing slogan, it doesn’t show anywhere on the ingredient list.
Title: 5 Clever Tips for Selecting Toxic-Free Lipsticks:
Avoiding Endocrine Disruptors, PFAS, and other toxic, harmful, or polluting ingredients
Lipsticks have always been a go-to makeup item for many individuals, a powerful tool to help us express ourselves. However, a lot of traditional lipsticks still contain numerous toxic ingredients that can harm both your health and the environment.
Here are a few tips to ensure you choose toxic-free lipsticks that are free from endocrine disruptors, PFAS, pollutants, silicones, controversial synthetic preservatives and any other harmful components.
1. Educate Yourself on Endocrine Disruptors:
Endocrine disruptors are harmful chemicals present in various beauty products. These chemicals can interfere with your hormonal balance and potentially lead to serious health issues. It is never enough to choose lipsticks labeled as « paraben-free » as the products can still contain other endocrine disruptors or harmful ingredients. Certified organic cosmetics however, provide more guarantees, endocrine disruptors are simply not allowed in the formulation process by the different labels. More detailed information also here. If the product is not certified, make sure to check the ingredient list.
2. Stay Away from PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl Substances):
PFAS are a group of chemicals used in many industries, including cosmetics. They have been linked to adverse health effects and are extremely persistent in the environment. This is a tremendous environmental concern, which of course concerns many other industries. Check the ingredient list for PFAS-related compounds like PTFE or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and educate yourself on the subject as well.
4. Avoid Silicones an mineral-oil derived ingredients (Petrolatum, etc):
Silicones are commonly used in beauty products to create a smooth texture and long-lasting effects. However, they represent a huge toll on the environment, as they are not biodegradable. When selecting lipsticks, choose those with silicone alternatives such as natural waxes or nourishing oils like jojoba, shea, or cocoa butter. These ingredients provide hydration and a comfortable wear without the negative side effects. Again, silicones and mineral oil derived ingredients are not allowed in certified organic cosmetics. If the product is not certified, make sure to check the ingredient list.
5. Be Mindful of certain synthetic Preservatives:
Preservatives are essential to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and extend the shelf life of cosmetics. However, some synthetic preservatives, such as formaldehyde releasers or phenoxyethanol have been linked to skin irritations and allergies and other more serious health concerns. Others fall into the category of endocrine disruptors (some parabens, triclosan, etc). There are other ways of formulating beauty products, and some pioneers in the organic cosmetics fields like Logocos (brands Logona, Santé) or Dermatherm have developed an expertise in this field over the last decades.
Conclusion:
Choosing toxic-free lipsticks should be a priority for anyone concerned about their health and the planet. By following these tips, you can effectively avoid endocrine disruptors, PFAS, pollutants, silicones, and controversial preservatives commonly found in traditional lipsticks. Embrace the power of knowledge and make informed choices to adorn your lips with clean and gorgeous colors, without compromising on your well-being.