Lead in your lipstick?

It’s an oldie but a goodie—the semi-regular news report that dangerous levels of lead and other metals are found in lipsticks and cosmetics. Is it just a slow news day, or should consumers be worried?

A 2013 study by the University of California Berkley examined the metal content of 32 different lipsticks. Researchers found traces of aluminium, manganese (which can cause neurological problems) and titanium in all the products they tested, while three-quarters of the products contained lead (which affects the nervous system, and can cause learning disabilities in children). Many of the lipsticks and lip glosses also contained nickel and cobalt, as well as cadmium and chromium—both known carcinogens.

Why would manufacturers add these ingredients to their products? The answer is—they don’t. They exist in the products as ‘impurities’, that is, they are present in other ingredients such as the wax, oils or the mineral pigments used in the formula. Because of the persistent nature of lead and other heavy metals that occur in the natural environment, including in water, it is almost impossible to remove all traces of them.

So the presence of these naturally-occurring elements in lipstick and other cosmetics is not necessarily a problem—the important issue is the level or concentration. Are the levels high enough to be considered toxic, or are they low enough to be deemed safe? Remember, sunlight is also a proven carcinogen (skin cancer)—but you still go outside and you might even sunbathe. It all comes down to dose.

With the exception of chromium, the study concluded that the metal concentrations (less than 10 parts per million) were comfortably within the ‘acceptable daily allowances’ as determined by the researchers via a comparison with accepted water and air contamination levels. Basically, you will consume more lead from drinking water, or breathing, than you will from applying lipstick.

And since it’s far more dangerous to your health to stop breathing air or drinking water, you can rest assured that your lippy is not going to kill you.