An Industry-Wide Problem
Lipstick isn’t the only cosmetic that contains heavy metals. In fact, the Environmental Defense group tested 49 different commonly-used makeup items for contamination.The items included:14 eye shadows, 8 lipsticks or glosses, 5 blushes or bronzers, 7 mascaras, 5 foundations, 4 concealers, 4 powders, and 2 eyeliners. Nearly all the items tested were contaminated with heavy metals (5).
Here are the results:
- 96% contained lead
- 90% contained beryllium
- 61% contained thallium
- 51% contained cadmium
- 20% contained arsenic
Worse yet, nearly all the products tested contained an average of 4 out of the 8 metals and each product contained, an average, 2 of the 4 toxic metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.
One FDA report found that 400 popular lipsticks contained trace amounts of lead. Even though it was stated that the products only contained trace amounts of the metal, they did not pose a safety concern (6).
“Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels. The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure,” said Dr. Mark Mitchell, president of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice (7).
Still not concerned? Here’s what the World Health Organization warns about lead (8):
- Lead is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children.
- Lead in the body is distributed to the brain, liver, kidneys and bones. Your body stores the metal in your teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time.
- Your body releases lead from your bone during pregnancy, which becomes a source of exposure to the developing fetus.
- There is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe.
- Lead poisoning is entirely preventable.