Lead in Lipstick Gives Metal Mouth a New Meaning

The recent studies conducted of popular lipstick brands give metal mouth a whole new meaning and even if you are a heavy metal fan, you don't want it on your lips. After you just checked all your kids' toys to get rid of those imported from China and possibly made with lead based paints, get ready to comb your makeup kit because the latest concern is lead in lipsticks manufactured right in the United States.

Confusion still exists about whether lipstick contains lead because of a host of urban legends that were circulating via email since 2003. Although the content of those urban legend emails was inaccurate, apparently there was a ring of truth. Recent product tests performed by the Bodycote Testing Group in California for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Campaign for Safe Cosmetics confirmed that certain brands of lipstick contain considerable levels of lead. Of the 33 lipsticks tested, 61 percent have detectable levels of lead ranging from 0.03 to 0.65 with none of them listing lead as an ingredient.

The United States Food and Drug Administration sets a lead limit of 0.1 for lead in candy - one-third of the lipsticks exceeded this standard. However, the disturbing fact is that the FDA has not yet set a limit for lead in lipstick.

The top lipstick brands that tested positive for lead include L'Oreal Colour Riche "True Red" at 0.65 ppm, L'Oreal Color Rich "Classic Wine" at 0.58 ppm, Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor "Maximum Red" at 0.56 ppm and Christian Dior Addict "Positive Red" at 0.21 ppm.