Eco-Fail: A study published by the Food and Drug Association in the July/August issue of Journal of Cosmetic Science found the heavy metal lead in all 22 samples tested. Levels ranged from 0.9 parts per million (ppm) to 3.06 ppm, with an average of 1.07 ppm; for comparison’s sake, the FDA sets a maximum limit of 2 ppm in food, but it allows up to 20 ppm in cosmetic colorants, the only cosmetic ingredient the agency regulates. While the levels weren’t super high, is any amount of lead safe? Many experts don’t think so since it accumulates in the body and is highly neurotoxic, can cause kidney damage, and more.
Eco-Win: Go to the cosmetic database Skin Deep and type in the name of your brand of lipstick and find its lead level. Also, check out 6 lipsticks tested as lead-free.
This post is tremendously helpful. Lipstick must be the most-used cosmetic by women of all ages from teen-age and up! The links are valuable; I was able to pursue the “natural” cosmetics in the hair color line as well.
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