Toxic Kisses: What's in Our Lipstick?

By: Michele Kadison

According to recent studies, traces of lead found in many lipstick brands can cause a toxic buildup through habitual use. 

Lead is a neurotoxin that can cause a host of problems, including behavior anomalies and learning deficiencies.  Lead exposure can be extremely dangerous for pregnant women as it is known to penetrate placenta where it can enter the brain of the fetus, interfering with normal development.  Young children are also particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning.

 
The FDA still claims that traces of lead in lipstick and other cosmetics are too tiny to cause any harm, but other experts say that even the most minute amounts of lead build up over time and will remain in the body.  Dr. David Bellinger, a researcher at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health has conducted studies on the risks of very low lead exposure.  His conclusion is that  "no level of lead exposure appears to be safe."

It is generally the reddest of the red lipsticks that contain lead, though there are brands that do not add this to their pigment.  A study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that 11 out of the 33 lipstick brands that they tested did not contain lead, with this having nothing to do with the brand's price.   As a result of their conclusion, demands are currently being made that the FDA creates stronger guidelines for personal care products. Currently the FDA has no limit for lead in cosmetics. Even today's teenagers are getting on the 'no lead' bandwagon with the "Lips Against Lead" campaign begun by the eco-friendly group, Teens Turning Green.
 
The Sinners and the Winners
Some of the lipsticks that presented the most lead were L'Oreal's  Colour Riche "True Red" and "Classic Wine," with the highest levels, Cover Girl's Incredifull Lipcolor "Maximum Red," and Dior Addict "Positive Red."  

The following red lipsticks contain no lead:

•    Avon Ultra Color Rich "Cherry Jubilee"
•    The Body Shop's Lip Color Garnet
•    Mac 's Matte Lipstick Viva Glam 1
•    Dior's Replenishing Lip Color "Red Premiere"
•    Clinique's Long Last Lipstick "Merlot" 
•    Estee Lauder's "Maraschino"
•    Revlon's Superlustrous "Love that Red" and "Bed of Roses"
•    Revlon's Colorstay Lipcolor "Red Velvet"
•    Tarte's Inside Out Vitamin Lipstick
•    Wet n Wild's Mega Colors "Cherry Blossom"

And it doesn't stop with lead…
In addition to lead haunting some of the red lipsticks, there is another set of toxins to be aware of and these are the D4 and D5 siloxanes.  According to Canadian research, these compounds have been linked to causing reproductive damage in certain animals.  Siloxanes are added to lipstick, deodorant, hair care products, body lotion, baby bottle nipples, cookware, home cleaning solutions, and other quotidian products.  As these chemicals do not biodegrade they pose a long-term risks to the planet.  The EPA needs to regulate these toxins by overhauling their laws to establish newer policies that force chemical companies to prove that their products are safe before use.  The Canadian government is currently considering placing a ban on siloxanes.