Lipsticks with Lead – Top 20

Lipstick

The saying “you get what you pay for” may not be a blessing when it comes to lipsticks. A survey conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that some of he the most popular and the most expensive brands (Maybelline, L'Oréal, NARS, Cover Girl Queen, Collection, Maybelline, Stargazer, Revlon, Sonia Kashuk, Avon) also contain the MOST amounts of lead.

The LEAST-contaminated brand, Wet & Wild Mega Mixers Lip Balm, was also the least expensive. Other brands with
the least amount of lead were: L'Oréal - Colour Juice, Clinique - Almost. Lori Anne - Mood. M.A.C, - Satin, Estée Lauder - Pure Color, MAC – Matte, Iman Cosmetics - Luxury Moisturizing, Fashion Fair- Lipstick, Bobbi Brown - Lip Color, Victoria’s Secret – Pout.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have released an expended survey for lead content in 400 lipsticks. Most of the lipsticks for analysis were selected based on the parent company's market share. The tests were conducted by Frontier Global Sciences, Inc., for the FDA. The lipsticks were purchased from retail stores between February and July 2010. The expanded survey will be published in the May/June, 2012, issue of the Journal of Cosmetic Science.

The analysis revealed lead in all the products tested and often at a higher level than previously detected. Lead is not intentionally added to lipstick but comes from many color additives used in preparation. 

FDA regulates cosmetic safety under the authority of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). Cosmetics are not subject to pre-market approval by FDA and the FDA has not set limits for lead in cosmetics. The FDA does not consider lead in the lipsticks to be a significant hazard although it has not conducted health studies or safety assessments.

“Lipstick, as a product intended for topical use with limited absorption, is ingested only in very small quantities. We do not consider the lead levels we found in the lipsticks to be a safety concern. The lead levels we found are within the limits recommended by other public health authorities for lead in cosmetics, including lipstick.”

However, it is is known that Lead is toxic and can lead to learning, language and behavioral problems. Health experts advise caution because Lead builds in the body over time, and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant level exposure. In essence, no level of lead can be considered safe for children and pregnant women.

Lipsticks with most Lead – Top 20

Sample #	Brand	Parent company	Lipstick line Shade # Shade	Lot #a	Lead (Pb)b (ppm)
1	Maybelline	L'Oréal USA	Color Sensational 125 Pink Petal	FF205	7.19
2	L'Oréal	L'Oréal USA	Colour Riche 410 Volcanic	FE259	7.00
3	NARS	Shiseido	Semi-Matte 1005 Red Lizard	0KAW	4.93
4	Cover Girl Queen Collection	Procter & Gamble	Vibrant Hues Color Q580 Ruby Remix	9139	4.92
5	NARS	Shiseido	Semi-Matte 1009 Funny Face	9DLW	4.89
6	L'Oréal	L'Oréal USA	Colour Riche 165 Tickled Pink	FF224	4.45
7	L'Oréal	L'Oréal USA	Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor 748 Heroic	FD306	4.41
8	Cover Girl	Procter & Gamble	Continuous Color 025 Warm Brick	9098	4.28
9	Maybelline	L'Oréal USA	Color Sensational 475 Mauve Me	FF201	4.23
10	Stargazer	Stargazer	Lipstick 103 c	180808	4.12
11	Stargazer	Stargazer	Lipstick 103 c	180808	4.06
12	Revlon	Revlon	Matte 009 Fabulous Fig	08262	3.32
13	Sonia Kashuk	Target Corporation	Luxury Lip Color 27 Mauvey	090464_0511 X564A	3.12
14	Avon	Avon	Beyond Color 558 Mad For Mauve	AR01	3.08
15	L'Oréal	L'Oréal USA	Endless 530 Mauve Amour	FD339	2.87
16	Revlon	Revlon	ColorStay 375 Ripened Red	09040	2.84
17	Burt's Bees	Clorox Company	Lip Shimmer d Toffee	1130801	2.81
18	Revlon	Revlon	Super Lustrous Pearl 631 Luminous Pink	09097	2.81
19	Sonia Kashuk	Target Corporation	Luxury Lip Color 27 Mauvey	090464_0511 X564A	2.80
20	Revlon	Revlon	Super Lustrous Pearl 643 Satin Plum	08351	2.77

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Source

FDA - Lipstick and Lead
osha.gov: Lead health hazards

safecosmetics.org

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