In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using organic and natural beauty products. Consumers are becoming more aware of potential health and environmental impacts of ingredients in cosmetics and personal care items. Many people want to avoid products containing chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. This has led some shoppers to wonder: is L.A. Colors organic?
About L.A. Colors
L.A. Colors is an affordable cosmetics brand sold at drugstores like Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid. They offer a wide range of color cosmetics including eye shadow, lipstick, mascara, and nail polish. The company markets itself as high-quality and on-trend without the high price tag.
L.A. Colors is owned byCosmetic Group USA. It’s headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The brand was founded in the early 1990s with the goal of making runway-inspired beauty accessible to everyone. Their products are cruelty-free and they avoid animal testing.
L.A. Colors Ingredients
When reviewing L.A. Colors ingredients, very few products seem to contain certified organic ingredients. Most formulas contain more conventional cosmetic ingredients. Here’s a look at some examples:
Eye Shadow
L.A. Colors Ad shade collections list ingredients like:
- Talc
- Mica
- Zinc sterate
- Magnesium stearate
- Dimethicone
- Synthetic fluorphlogopite
- Stearalkonium hectorite
- Propylene carbonate
- Phenoxyethanol
These are common ingredients found in color cosmetics. Talc, mica, zinc, and magnesium help create the texture and apply the pigment. Dimethicone and stearalkonium hectorite give the shadow a smooth feel. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative. None of the components are certified organic.
Lipstick
The Color Craze Lipstick formula lists these primary ingredients:
- Octyldodecanol
- Polybutene
- Hydrogenated polyisobutene
- Castor oil
- Ozokerite
- Beeswax
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
- Aroma
- Mica
- Titanium dioxide
These are very common lipstick ingredients. Polybutene, hydrogenated polyisobutene, and ozokerite help provide the lipstick structure. Castor oil and beeswax condition the lips. Tocopherol is an antioxidant. The mica and titanium dioxide give color. Aroma provides fragrance. None of the components appear to be organic.
Nail Polish
L.A. Colors Color Last nail polishes list these active ingredients:
- Butyl acetate
- Ethyl acetate
- Nitrocellulose
- Adipic acid
- Acetyl tributyl citrate
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Stearalkonium bentonite
- Styrene/acrylates copolymer
- Benzophenone-1
These standard nail polish ingredients provide quick drying, adhesion, and a shiny finish. Butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and nitrocellulose give the polish a smooth consistency. Adipic acid helps the polish adhere to nails. Acetyl tributyl citrate keeps the polish flexible. Isopropyl alcohol speeds up drying time. Stearalkonium bentonite thickens the polish. Styrene/acrylates copolymer forms a durable film. Benzophenone-1 protects against UV rays. No certified organic components are listed.
Does L.A. Colors Use Natural Ingredients?
While L.A. Colors cosmetics do not seem to contain certified organic ingredients, some products do include certain natural components. These may appeal to consumers looking to avoid synthetic chemicals.
Coconut Oil
Some L.A. Colors lip glosses feature coconut oil. Coconut oil moisturizes and softens lips. It contains fatty acids that help repair and condition. Derived from coconuts, it provides a natural alternative to synthetic emollients. Coconut oil isn’t organic, but is a popular natural cosmetic ingredient.
Vitamin E
Many L.A. Colors products contain vitamin E in the form of tocopheryl acetate. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps prevent rancidity. It protects skin and lips from free radical damage. Vitamin E also provides moisture. While not certified organic, vitamin E is a common natural additive.
Beeswax
Some L.A. Colors lipsticks include beeswax. Beeswax acts as an emollient, sealing in moisture. It gives lipstick a creamy texture. Beeswax also contains vitamin A, which can help lips look healthy. Though not certified organic, beeswax is considered a more natural wax.
Shea Butter
A few L.A. Colors products feature shea butter from the African shea tree nut. Shea butter contains fatty acids and vitamins that nourish skin. It helps hydrate dry, cracked lips. While unrefined shea butter would be more natural, refined shea butter is still plant-derived.
Are L.A. Colors Products Organic or Natural?
After reviewing various L.A. Colors cosmetics ingredients lists, it seems the brand does not contain many certified organic components. However, some products do incorporate natural ingredients like coconut oil, vitamin E, beeswax, and shea butter.
Here is a summary of key findings:
| Product Type | Organic Ingredients | Natural Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Eye Shadow | None found | May contain vitamin E |
| Lipstick | None found | May contain vitamin E, beeswax, shea butter |
| Nail Polish | None found | None found |
As the table illustrates, L.A. Colors products seem to be made with conventional cosmetic chemicals. They incorporate some natural additives but no certified organic ingredients.
The Takeaway on L.A. Colors and Organic Makeup
L.A. Colors aims to provide affordable, quality makeup to mass market consumers. Their products deliver bold, trendy colors using common cosmetic chemicals and a few natural extracts.
However, consumers interested specifically in organic makeup may want to look at other brands certified organic by agencies like the USDA or ECOCERT. These signify products made with 70-95% organic ingredients, without synthetics like parabens and phthalates.
Some examples of established organic makeup brands include:
- 100% Pure
- Juice Beauty
- W3ll People
- RMS Beauty
- ILIA Beauty
- Kjaer Weis
- Vapour Organic Beauty
These companies adhere to organic standards and focus intently on plant-derived and mineral formulations. Their products are typically more expensive than conventional makeup. However, consumers seeking organic integrity may find them worth the investment.
L.A. Colors provides an accessible option for shoppers who want fun, trendy makeup without the high price tag. Those specifically wanting organic cosmetics may need to select brands dedicated to organic principles and ingredients.
The Bottom Line
L.A. Colors uses more conventional ingredients than organic ones. Their makeup contains few certified organic components. However, some products do integrate natural additives like coconut oil, vitamin E, beeswax, and shea butter. Consumers desiring organic makeup may want to opt for brands with organic certification and formulas focused intently on plant, mineral, and non-GMO ingredients. But for affordable, quality makeup with some natural extracts, L.A. Colors remains a solid drugstore choice.
