CoverGirl
CoverGirl was founded in 1961 by the Noxzema Chemical Company (later Noxell Corporation) in Baltimore, Maryland. The brand was acquired by Procter & Gamble in 1989 and then sold to Coty Inc. in 2016 as part of P&G's beauty brands divestiture. CoverGirl relaunched in 2018 as a cruelty-free brand certified by Leaping Bunny, making it one of the largest mass-market cosmetics brands to earn that designation. Despite the cruelty-free certification, CoverGirl lip products still contain synthetic dyes, petroleum-derived ingredients, parabens, and chemical preservatives. The brand's 'Clean' franchise markets products as free from certain ingredients but still uses many conventional cosmetic chemicals.
Products Analyzed
Flagged Ingredients Found
Who Owns CoverGirl?
Big Corp SubsidiaryParent Company
Coty Inc.(COTY)
Parent Industry
Beauty & Fragrances
Parent Revenue
Approximately $5.8 billion (2024)
Acquired
2016 for Part of a $12.5 billion deal with Procter & Gamble
Also Makes
Coty acquired CoverGirl from Procter & Gamble in 2016 as part of a $12.5 billion deal that included multiple P&G beauty brands. Before P&G, CoverGirl was owned by Noxell Corporation.
Corporate ownership does not automatically mean a product is unsafe. It means ingredient and sourcing decisions are influenced by a parent company whose primary business is beauty & fragrances. Consumers deserve to know who profits from their purchases.
Products by CoverGirl
CoverGirl Outlast All-Day Lip Color
CoverGirl
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Organic Lip Balm
CoverGirl Exhibitionist Lipstick
CoverGirl
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Organic Lip Balm
CoverGirl Melting Pout Vinyl
CoverGirl
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Organic Lip Balm
CoverGirl Clean Fresh Tinted Lip Balm
CoverGirl
Numbrrrz
Organic Lip Balm
CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain
CoverGirl
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Organic Lip Balm
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Flagged Ingredients in CoverGirl Products
We found 11 different ingredients of concern across CoverGirl's product line. Each one links to a full safety analysis with details on health risks, regulatory status, and which other brands use the same ingredient.
Parabens
A class of synthetic preservatives used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics and personal care products. Parabens can mimic estrogen in the body, raising concerns about endocrine disruption and links to breast cancer.
Synthetic Fragrance
An umbrella term that can hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. Under US law, companies are not required to list individual fragrance components, which may include phthalates, musks, allergens, and sensitizers.
Artificial Colors
Synthetic dyes derived from petroleum or coal tar, used to give cosmetics vivid colors. Many are contaminated with heavy metals and have been linked to behavioral issues, allergies, and potential carcinogenicity.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG Compounds)
A family of petroleum-derived compounds used as emulsifiers, thickeners, solvents, and penetration enhancers. PEGs themselves are relatively low-toxicity, but they are frequently contaminated with ethylene oxide (a known carcinogen) and 1,4-dioxane.
Retinyl Palmitate
A form of vitamin A (retinol ester) used in sunscreens, anti-aging creams, and moisturizers. While vitamin A is essential for skin health, retinyl palmitate becomes problematic when applied topically and exposed to sunlight, potentially accelerating UV-induced skin damage.
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
A synthetic antioxidant closely related to BHA, used to prevent oxidation in cosmetics and food. Less studied than BHA but shares some endocrine disruption concerns.
Paraffin Wax
A white or colorless soft solid wax derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. Commonly used in lip balms, lipsticks, and candles to add structure and a smooth texture.
Propylene Glycol
A synthetic liquid used as a humectant, solvent, and penetration enhancer in cosmetics. While considered safe at low concentrations, it is a skin irritant at higher levels and enhances absorption of other ingredients — including harmful ones.
Dimethicone
A silicone-based polymer widely used in cosmetics and skincare for its smoothing, water-repellent properties. Not toxic in itself, but creates a synthetic barrier that can trap impurities, clog pores, and is not biodegradable.
Lanolin
A natural waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep to waterproof their wool. Lanolin is an excellent emollient used in lip balms, nipple creams, and moisturizers, but it is a common allergen and may contain pesticide residues from sheep dipping.
Polybutene
A synthetic polymer derived from petroleum, used as a thickener, binder, and viscosity-increasing agent in lip glosses, lipsticks, and other cosmetics. Polybutene has low direct toxicity but is a petroleum-derived synthetic with environmental persistence concerns.
