Alarming Levels of Toxic Metals Detected in Popular Lipsticks
Source: Counsel & Heal
A new analysis, conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley's School of Public Health, revealed that many common lipsticks and lip glosses contain dangerous levels of chromium, which has been tied to lung cancer and stomach cancer, aluminum, which can increase the risk of Alzheimer's, and manganese, which can cause mood swings and memory and coordination impairments. Other harmful metals found in the cosmetics included cadmium, lead and five other metals.
While some metals detected were found at benign levels, other metals were found at levels that are potentially dangerous. However, researchers noted that none of the 32 lip beauty products tested in the study contained levels of metal that exceeded current public health exposure standards.
"Just finding these metals isn't the issue; it's the levels that matter," study principal investigator S. Katharine Hammond, professor of environmental health science, said in a news release. "Some of the toxic metals are occurring at levels that could possibly have an effect in the long term."
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After analyzing the content in the lip beauty products, researchers found that the average daily use, or two to three applications a day, led to an unhealthy intake of chromium in ten of the 32 lipsticks and glosses tested. Researchers found that high use, around eight applications a day, could expose women and girls to too much aluminum, cadmium and manganese, which has been linked to toxicity in the nervous system. Researchers noted that lead was detected in 24 of the 32 products, but at a concentration that was generally lower than the acceptable daily intake level.
Read more: http://www.counselheal.com/articles/5206/20130502/alarming-levels-toxic-metals-detected-popular-lipsticks.htm
Carolina
(6,960 posts)but the link is useless to us lipstick devotees since it doesn't provide the names of the tested/incriminated brands
frazzled
(18,402 posts)I don't know about chromium and other toxic metals. Yikes, I don't wear lipstick every day, or even much, and I don't buy drugstore brands. But I wish I knew what these 32 were, and what alternatives there are for "safe" lipstick. Dr. Hauschka?
Here is a list of the 10 brands and shades that contain the most lead, according the FDAs study. A full analysis of all 400 varieties is available here.
1. Maybellines Color Sensation in Pink Petal. (Lead content: 7.19 ppm)
2. LOreal Colour Riche in Volcanic. (Lead content: 7.00 ppm)
3. NARS Semi-Matte in Red Lizard. (Lead content: 4.93 ppm)
4. Cover Girl Queen Collection Vibrant Hues Color in Ruby Remix (Lead content: 4.92 ppm)
5. NARS Semi-Matte in Funny Face. (Lead content: 4.89)
6. LOreal Colour Rich in Tickled Pink. (Lead content: 4.45)
7. LOreal Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor in Heroic. (Lead content: 4.41)
8. Cover Girl Continuous Color in Warm Brick. (Lead content: 4.28)
9. Maybelline Color Sensational in Mauve Me. (Lead content: 4.23)
10. Stargazer lipstick in shade c. (Lead content: 4.12)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-checkup/post/lead-in-lipsticks-which-brands-are-the-worst-offenders/2012/02/14/gIQAfNkiDR_blog.html
Carolina
(6,960 posts)I love lipstick -- always have since I was first allowed to wear it!
Anyway, my favorite (overpriced) Estee Lauder is not on the list.
I would caution the Lancôme users out there: L'Oreal and Lancôme are the same.
frazzled
(18,402 posts)but my color was not on the list.
I know Lancôme and L'Oreal are owned by the same company, but I don't think the products and/or colors are identical.
I don't mind paying a lot for lipstick, because a tube usually lasts me for several years at the rate I wear it. I figure a $26 lipstick that makes me feel fancy when I go out is worth it, on a dollar-averaged basis. It's one luxury that feels affordable when you need a pick me up. But now I don't know what to trust. Oh well, I haven't seen women dying in the streets or having their lips fall off ... yet.
I have a super-hard time finding colors I like, and it has changed over the years. So for me, it's not just a question of finding a toxic-free brand. I won't put it on if the color makes me self-conscious.
I noticed that of the drugstore brands, Neutrogena is not on there (I think; should go back and check).
bunnies
(15,859 posts)Doesnt surprise me at all that it is. I've never been able to tolerate the taste and liner stays on better anyway. Its sad that they dont regulate this kind of thing. Poisoning people should be illegal.
kimbutgar
(20,882 posts)Is there a correlation between lipstick wearing and Alzheimer and Dementia in this country? Women in my Mother's generation always wore lipstick. A large portion of seniors in this country suffer from lead type symptoms which kind of look like Alzheimer and Dementia. I was taught for 12 years by nuns and the ones I still see are sharp and very few have Alzheimer or Dementia and they never wore lipstick.
classykaren
(769 posts)Just a few days ago on the Doctors they told how to make your own lipstick and glosses from non-toxic crayons.
tblue
(16,350 posts)Homemade cosmetics are fun and really healthful a lot of times. I buy vitamin E oil and add a few drops to my hand soap. And I'm always interested in inexpensive healthy anything. Do tell! Thanks!
obama2terms
(563 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)A lot of that fabric paint is not safe.