Lipsticks under the spotlight
Today's post is about lipsticks and their content. I was alarmed to read that lipsticks contain toxic heavy metals that are detrimental to our health.
Could
your lipstick be full of hidden toxins? Women of all ages use lipsticks
and gloss to brighten or finish their look. But what they may not know
is that these cosmetics could be harboring a variety of
harmful metals.
Since
your skin is permeable, these metals are quickly absorbed into your
bloodstream, causing havoc in your body. Many women are also guilty of
licking their lips, causing the
ingestion of theses chemicals too.
Is There Lead in my Lipstick?
The New York Times notes: “Most lipsticks contain at least a trace of
lead,
researchers have shown. But a new study finds that a wide range of
brands contain as many as eight other metals, from cadmium to
aluminum.”(
1)
Although
the FDA insists that the level of metals found in lipsticks is
inconsequential, scientists believe that the long-term, daily exposure
to these toxins could pose a
serious risk.
Heavy metals accumulate in the body, and over time, their presence can
result in a wide range of health problems. On top of that, the FDA
admits in an article titled, “Lipstick and Lead: Questions and Answers”,
that there is currently no set limit for the amount of lead used in
cosmetics (
2).
And
lead isn’t the only concern. In her recent study, Dr. Katharine
Hammond, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University
of California at Berkeley and the lead author of the new analysis, found
traces of cadmium, cobalt, aluminum, titanium, manganese, chromium,
copper and nickel in 24 lip glosses and eight lipstick brands.(
3)
So,
should you throw out all of these potentially dangerous cosmetics?
Perhaps, but the most important thing is to exercise caution in the
amount of exposure you sustain. Many women apply lipstick or gloss up to
24 times per day. Dr. Hammond advises that women at least decrease the
number of times per day they apply. Two to three times will pose much
less risk than 24.
Choosing softer hues of lipsticks and glosses
can also decrease your exposure. In Dr. Hammond’s studies, she found
that the darker the color, the heavier the concentration of metals (
4).
Still,
it seems that cosmetics manufacturers and the FDA should take
responsibility for the safety of these products. Dr. Sean Palfrey,
medical director of the lead poisoning prevention program at Boston
University Medical Center agrees, saying, “It shouldn’t be a huge step
for manufacturers to take out trace amounts of metals in a situation
where they don’t know and we don’t know what’s safe for people who use
them”.
What Lipsticks Should I Avoid?
The following list contains the lipsticks you should avoid at all costs:
- Avon Beyond Color (#558 Mad for Mauve)
- Revlon Super Lustrous Peal (#643 Satin Plum)
- L’Oreal Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor (#748 Heroic)
- Maybelline Color Sensational (#125 Pink Petal)
- NARS Semi-Matte (#1005 Red Lizard)
- CoverGirl Queen Collection Vibrant Hues (#580 Ruby Remix)
- L’Oreal Colour Riche (#410 Volcanic)
- Maybelline Color Sensation (#475 Mauve Me)
- NARS Semi-Matte (#1009 Funny Face)
- L’Oreal Colour Riche (#165 Tickled Pink)
- Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer (Toffee)
- Stargazer Lipstick (#103c)
- Revlon Matte (#009 Fabulous Fig)
- Sonia Kashuk Luxury Lip Color (#27 Mauvey)
- L’Oreal Endless (#530 Mauve Amour)
- Revlon ColorStay (#375 Ripened Red)
- Revlon Super Lustrous Peal (#631 Luminous Pink)
- CoverGirl Continuous Color (#025 Warm Brick)
On the other hand, here are some safer lipstick alternatives:
- Organic Infused Lip Love Lipstick
- Rejuva Minerals Pur Lips Lipstick
- Bella Mari Pure Mineral Lipstick
- Coastal Classic Creations Canyon Lipstick
- W3ll People Extreme Lip Gloss
- Isoi Bulgarian Rose Lip Treatment Balm
- Maia’s Mineral Galaxy Lipstick