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by Team Henné <3 / 3.21.24

Are Crushed Beetles Really Used in Your Makeup?

If the thought of putting crushed up bugs on your face gives you the creepy crawlies, you’ll be shocked to find out that cochineal beetles are used to make a popular red pigment in makeup.


Killing Beetles. A LOT of Beetles.

This pigment is called carmine, and to make just one pound of it requires killing 70,000 cochineal beetles. Yes, you read that right. 70,000.

Not only are tens of thousands of cochineals killed in order to create small quantities of carmine, but cochineal can cause severe allergic reactions in some people due to its high levels of carminic acid.


There's a Better Way

That’s why here at Henné, we choose not to use carmine and instead stick to safe, ethically sourced ingredients.

In fact, the only animal-derived ingredient we use is certified organic beeswax, which we make sure comes from ethical and USDA certified organic beekeepers who ensure that the bees are well cared for.


So You Can Rest Easy

With our cruelty-free lip tints, you can rest easy knowing that no animals - large or small - were harmed to bring you your favorite shades.

Click the button below to learn more about what it means to be both Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-Free and USDA Certified Organic.
HOW WE DO IT