Titanium Dioxide in Lip Balms: What You Need to Know

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a white pigment used in many skincare and cosmetic products. It helps lip balms provide both color and sun protection. But when it comes to your lips, a very real question pops up — if we end up eating our lip balm throughout the day, should we be eating titanium dioxide too?

🚫 Why It Was Banned in Food Across Europe

In 2022, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced that titanium dioxide (also known as E171) could no longer be considered safe as a food additive.

Why?

• It showed signs of genotoxicity — meaning it may damage DNA.
• There wasn’t enough evidence to prove it’s safe to eat, even in small amounts.
• So, out of caution, the EU chose to ban it in food altogether.

📚 EFSA: Titanium Dioxide No Longer Considered Safe in Food

✅ Why It’s Still Allowed in Cosmetics

Here’s the twist: Titanium dioxide is still permitted in cosmetics, including lip balms. The reasoning?

• It was not banned in skincare, as skincare is not meant to eat.

📚 EU Cosmetics Regulation on Titanium Dioxide

👄 Do We Really Ingest Our Lip Balm?

Yes. Studies show that we accidentally eat a good portion of our lip balm during the day through talking, eating, drinking, or even licking our lips.

According to a UC Berkeley study:

• The average person may ingest up to 24 mg of lip product daily.
• That adds up — especially if the product contains ingredients banned from food.

📚 UC Berkeley Study: Toxic Metals in Lip Products

🤷‍♀️ So, Should We Use Lip Balm with SPF?

That’s a personal choice. We’re not here to sell you a sunscreen story. We’re here to tell the truth.

Titanium dioxide works well as a sun-blocking ingredient, but it’s also the same ingredient that was banned in food. And yes, we do ingest parts of our lip balm — every single day.

So what now?

Our job is to share the facts. What you want to put on your lips… that’s up to you.

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