New FDA tests reveal that some brands of lipsticks contain levels of lead higher than the strictest limit (California's) recommended for health. FDA has not concluded that there is any cause for consumer concern.
"In 2007, largely in response to a report released by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the FDA began testing various lipsticks sold in the United States. After testing some 400 brands, FDA scientists concluded that none of them contained unsafe levels of lead. Many of them did contain lead, but all were below the 5 parts-per-million recommended as safe by the state of California (known to have the most conservative law on the use of lead in consumer products), and far below the 10ppm considered to be the maximum safe limit by Health Canada, which has drafted guidelines on impurities in cosmetics, such as lead. At the time, those weighing in with the most lead contained about 3 parts per million. The FDA said there was no cause for consumer concern, especially given how little lipstick is actually ingested.
Then in December 2011, the FDA updated its tests and posted the results on its website rather quietly. There are now two brands (Maybelline and L'Oreal) with lipsticks above California's standard–Maybelline was measured at 7.19 ppm and L'Oreal at 7.0. Both products are manufactured by L'Oreal (Note: L'Oreal did not respond to a request for comment, but this post will be updated if and when the company makes any sort of statement about the latest lead tests). Several other products, including Nars and CoverGirl lipsticks, are now hovering just below the 5ppm level (Nars was measured at 4.93, CoverGirl at 4.92).
To be clear, lead is not used as an ingredient in these products, but is instead considered an impurity."
Amy Westervelt reports for Forbes February 7, 2012.
Advertisement 
