Question:
I read in your guide that lipstick doesn’t need a hechsher for Pesach. Do the ingredients have to be kosher for Pesach though? I like my current brand of lipstick and lip sealer, but I don’t find them listed in the Blumenkrantz book. Is it OK to use them?
Thank you for your time
Answer:
If you have a specific preference for this lipstick, and it will cause discomfort to change, you can use it on Pesach.
Best wishes.
Sources:
In principle lip balm does not require a hechsher, because it is not food and it is not suitable for consumption. This is irrespective of the ingredients.
However, some have the custom to require supervision even for soap and the like (because sichah (smearing) can be considered as drinking), and therefore you can find many soaps and lip balms with supervision. This is not required however according to the strict halachah.
For lipstick, out of concern that the lipstick will become stuck to food and swallowed, and this is considered “achshevei” (giving it the importance of food), some are more particular. However, according to the strict halachah this is not considered “achshevei” because there is no intention to swallow the lipstick.
For flavored lipstick there is perhaps greater concern for “achshevei” (though in principle it appears that there remains no concern for swallowing), and one should be careful to use a product with supervision for Pesach.
Best wishes.
