Lead in Lipstick: How Bad for You Is It?
Have you seen all the stuff circulating the Internet lately about lead in lipstick? Basically, there’s a story stemming from a CBS news report in Los Angeles that claims the amount of lead found in the lipsticks they tested showed higher amounts of lead than those allowed in candy. Now you’re not eating the lipstick, I hope, still this has alarmed a lot of women across the country. But is it true?
Well, my scan of online sources shows that most sources believe this is an urban myth. Both www.cancerhelp.org and www.cancer.ca (UK and Canadian groups) say that their countries and the US FDA regulate amounts of lead in cosmetics, and they don’t seem to be concerned. A number of organizations that debunk urban myths also claim it’s a hoax. The only concern I have is that CBS had the county’s environmental toxicology board test the lipsticks, and they came back with between .2 and .4 parts per million, the number quotes as being higher than candy. They tested Covergirl and AM Cosmetics products. Hmmm … so what’s a girl to do?
Here’s my thinking. It could be a complete myth, it could hold a grain of truth in that maybe that amount of lead is OK if you’re not eating it, or it could be a really dangerous problem. I tend to think the cancer groups would be screaming bloody murder if it was a real problem but—I also think natural is always the best way to go. The funny thing is, lead is a natural substance, so don’t be fooled by anything calling itself “all-natural.”
My modus operandi is going to be to go with products that I know focus on health. I’ll also read the labels, although I doubt at this point anyone is going to advertise that their product contains lead. Here are a couple of products that I feel pretty safe using. One is the Vincent Longo Baby Balm Lipstick SPF12 Amorosa . This line focuses on the use of helpful natural nutrients to enhance your skin. I also like the Bare Escentuals Lipstick for the same reason. I figure if their focus is to give us healthier skin, the companies would be down right foolish to put lead in them. Just imagine the backlash and financial consequences if it came out. You will have to make up your own mind about the whole lead in lipstick debate. But my conclusion is to play it safe without going overboard.
