Study Finds Lead Traces In Popular Cosmetic Products

Photo Courtesy / Greta Ceresini

 Lipstick is a popular cosmetic product, which allows a pigment of color to be applied onto the lips and according to a New York Times article, 81 percent of women were found to use lipstick in a 2004 study conducted by Mintel, a market research group.

 What people do not know is exactly how lipstick came into existence and the health concerns regarding this popular product.

Lipsticks from large name brand cosmetic companies like L’Oréal, Maybeline, Cover Girl and Nars are included in a list of 400 lipsticks found to have traces of lead in a 2012 FDA study.

While The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition of health and environment non-profits, continues to push government to set more restrictions on levels of lead in lipstick, the FDA claims lead levels in lipstick is not a threat.

"We have assessed the potential for harm to consumers from use of lipstick containing lead at the levels found in both rounds of testing,” said the FDA in an online comment. “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."

According to an Elle article, using pigment to change lip color dates back to men and women in ancient Mesopotamia coloring their lips with crushed semi-precious stones. Later on, Cleopatra crushed ant and beetles to give her lips a scarlet color.

As lipstick, and makeup in general, developed throughout history, it received much criticism as political and religious leaders spoke out against it.

However, lipstick grew in popularity in the U.S., especially during the 1930s when they were used as a marketing tool in many advertisements.

For some women, lipstick adds a perfect bit of pop and works with many different skin complexions. 

There is so much versatility when it comes to lipstick and any woman can find a color that best fits her to bring out her features. One minute you can go from a radiant, bold red lip to a subtle rosy pink for any occasion.

For many, lipstick can have a way of being a finnishing touch to complete your look.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics advised consumers to use products that list fewer ingrediants or to make homemade beauty products.

To avoid ingesting harmful chamicals from your lipstick, look for products with the certifications such as USDA Organic and Natural Products Association.