Yesterday I wrote about the new study just published by the FDA showing the results of their testing of 400 lipsticks for lead. Two questions I keep getting asked are why is lead allowed in beauty products and how does it get there?
Most people assume that any beauty product on the market has been approved by the FDA. However, that is untrue. The FDA actually has much less power to regulate beauty products than most people think. The FDA regulates colorants and the labelling of beauty products, but not the safety. The FDA does not have limits for the amount of lead a product can contain, although the results of their study say they are looking into whether or not they should set limits.
As for how lead get into beauty products, it is a contaminant, not an added ingredient. That's why you don't see it on the labels. There are 2 main ways that lead gets into products: One or more of the raw materials are contaminated or the colorants contain lead. For instance candelilla wax from Mexico may be contaiminated because the producers store it in lead vats.
If you're not an expert in cosmetic ingredients and, more importantly, contaminants, it can be very difficult to know if there is lead in a product or not. For instance, 3 "green" companies tested positive for lead: Burts Bees, Gabriel & Colorganics. Gabriel even markets their lipstick as lead-free despite the FDA finding 1.69 parts per million of lead in their Copper Glaze lipstick. Colorganics is even listed as one of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Champion companies.
Short of avoiding lipstick all together, you can try to avoid lead in lipstick by wearing it only on special occassions, calling the company before you buy from them and hope they tell the truth, and buying from companies with high ethics and certifications. If you are pregnant, nursing, or of child-bearing age avoid lipstick unless you are absolutely sure it is free of lead. Lead passes the placenta so it can harm the development of your baby and it accumulates throughout a lifetime. Also, keep your teens away from lipstick.
For safe lipcolor try Ilia, Miessence or Juice Beauty.
Jessica Gopalakrishnan
said on March 02, 2012
Danika Carter @Your Organic Life
said on March 02, 2012
Thank you for your comment. You are absolutely right about the pink ribbon. I wrote this article about it you might find interesting: http://www.greenwala.com/community/blogs/all/11159-The-Corporate-Creation-of-Breast-Cancer-Month?f=true&q=pinkwashing
I also started the Pinkwashing Hall of Shame on Facebook if you're interested. You can find it at www.facebook.com/nopinkwashing.
S Wilson
said on March 29, 2012