Lead In Your Lipstick

A recent Food and Drug Administration review of 20 red lipsticks from 10 different brands showed lead in all of the lipstick at concentrations up to four-times higher than what was found in independent testing.

The FDA has not regulated lead in lipstick, but the levels detected were up to 10 times higher than the safe limit set for lead in candy. The FDA limit for candy is 0.1 ppm or parts per million. Some lipsticks are as high as 0.58ppm.

The lead content of lipsticks is a special concern for pregnant women because lead is a proven neurotoxin, which can cause learning, language and behavioral problems such as lowered IQ, reduced school performance and increased aggression. Lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain where it can interfere with normal development.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is looking to the industry to reformulate products to remove lead and to require suppliers to guarantee that raw materials are free of lead and other contaminants.

If you’re looking for lead free red lipsticks, here is a list of 6 brands and their shades:

1         Avon
Ultra Color Rich Cherry Jubilee

2 The Body Shop

Lip Color Garnet

1 Clinique

Long Last Lipstick Merlot

2 Estee Lauder

Maraschino

3 MAC

Matte Lipstick Viva Glam 1

4 Revlon

Superlustrous Love That Red